165hp Merc Swap to Chevy 250 Vacuum Advance?

[josh42177]

I just swapped a Mercruiser 165hp with a chevy 250 truck engine. I replaced all the marine parts and the engine started right up. The chevy truck motor has a vacuum advance on it's distributor and the Merc motor doesn't. I'd rather not swap it out because I hate doing timing and dealing with points. Can I plug it up and or just leave it as is? It idles great. I need to get the drive system on before I can get it to normal operating temps and test acceleration, etc.

 

[thumpar]

There is no vacuum on a boat. You need mechanical advance.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you need a marine distributor in your boat to prevent things from exploding

you also need brass core plugs and a marine cylinder head gasket as well as a marine circulating pump and marine starter, alternator and accessory brackets and pulleys.

 

[Lightwin 3]

Agree with all. Especially the distributor.

If you're in salt or brackish water the other components will last, maybe, a month.

 

[josh42177]

thanks... only fresh water here. I did end up swapping the distributor. I was worried about the timing, but i was able to get it on the first try.

 

[achris]

There is no vacuum on a boat. You need mechanical advance.

An automotive distributor has the same mechanical advance as a marine distributor.. It's just that the marine distributor has no vacuum advance (because a marine engine is usually always under load, so a vacuum advance would never be activated), and the marine distributor has all the 'stop it going bang' mods....

Chris..........