4.3L OMC Cobra Conversion From Points To Electronic Ignition

[MonsterStalker]

Hello Everyone,
I just want to share my experience, the excitement after i removed my distributor points
and condenser and installed a Pertronix Igniter 1563B and a Flamethrower 40,000 Volt Ignition coil i also replaced my 6 AC Delco spark plugs and gaped them @ .45
Took it out today to ensure the boat is ready for the water season, and my god, what the heck
i was so surprised with the very very smooth idle, Hole Shot was kinda insane i have a 14 x 19
The clear acceleration is just so different from my properly operating gapped and dwelled points system. I totally 100% advise anyone that loves boating and is stuck with a points system there is
hope now to be able to use your boat weekly without the need to ensure you points are gapped
properly as they wear, causing rough idle, incomplete spark, high rpm misses, make the investment its well worth the money. Have fun and be safe !

Boat - 1987 Wilker Catalina 4.3L OMC Cobra with Cobra Stern Drive

 

[Lou C]

Nice review of the system....by the way did you have to change your ESA module to get it to work with the electronic ignition?

 

[MonsterStalker]

Nice review of the system....by the way did you have to change your ESA module to get it to work with the electronic ignition?

Actually no, this applies to both the 4.3L and the 5.7L as long as you open your distributor and see a points system all you have to do is this,

1) Remove distributor cap
2) Remove ignition Rotor
3) Remove the black ground wire, the connection is at the negative side of the Ignition coil.
3) Remove the 2 Slot Type Fasteners that hold down the circle metal plate
it houses the condenser and the points, pull it out and keep as a back up.
4) Install the Pertronix Igniter it comes attached on a new circle plate
5) Use same screws removed from original plate.
6) Remove Ignition coil,and keep as backup and install the Pertronix 40,000 volt ignition coil
7) Attach the Igniter wires positive and negative to the Ignition coil
8) Your done, you don't even need to adjust the timing.
Estimated Time Amateur - 30 Mins
Estimated Time Pro - 10 Mins
My Experience has been Super Fantastic i have a 4.3L i would like to hear
what the 5.7 system might do must be huge, Stay Safe on the water

 

[Lou C]

So you're saying that you kept the original OMC ESA system and it works as designed with the Pertronix? Because in the past there was a wiring addition you had to add to make the ESA work using diodes, or you had to replace the ESA with one that will work with electronic igntion.

 

[MonsterStalker]

There is a resistor inside the new petronix flamethrower 40,000 volt coil
also the only exception would be if you did not have 12v at the positive terminal of the coil when you turn on the ignition. Then you would have to run a 14-16 guage wire from ignition switch to positive side of coil

 

[MonsterStalker]

There is a resistor inside the new petronix flamethrower 40,000 volt coil
also the only exception would be if you did not have 12v at the positive terminal of the coil when you turn on the ignition. Then you would have to run a 14-16 guage wire from ignition switch to positive side of coil

Honestly the best way to really describe the install is , Plug and Play truly!

 

[Lou C]

That's great! I'm wondering if Pertonix modified the electronics to make it plug and play.

 

[Earl Cordova]

So you're saying that you kept the original OMC ESA system and it works as designed with the Pertronix? Because in the past there was a wiring addition you had to add to make the ESA work using diodes, or you had to replace the ESA with one that will work with electronic igntion.

That is what I remember having to do with my 86 OMC 4.3L.
It looked like a kluge and I ended up taking it out since it didn't seem to run any better.
But I am rather dated since I sold that boat in 2005.

 

[Lou C]

When my original ESA went bad in 2015 I changed it out with a CDI unit which works perfect with the points; I’ve heard mixed things on the Petronix system but it’s nice to have an option. I grew up with cars with points though so changing them is not a big deal to me...

 

[Scott Danforth]

That's great! I'm wondering if Pertonix modified the electronics to make it plug and play.

pertronix instructions still call out the diodes

 

[benwah]

Will I need to change ESA after I install pertronix electronic ignition and a flamethrower coil?

 

[Lou C]

If you have the original OMC ESA then I think either you have to use the diode fix or get a new ESA from CDI electronics that will work with your Petronix system.