bad points/or not/after 9 outings

[Westdevil]

i have 1978 baylinder 470/170hp mercruser<br />i put new points in it last year<br />and now its seems like it needs them again.<br />doing the same thing.<br />at 3200 rpms it starts runing bad.<br />can you tell by looking at the points .if they are bad.<br />and if so why would they go out so fast.<br />ran the boat about 9 times last year.

 

[ppjmb5]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

my brother in law had the same problem on his 89 bayliner he replced two sets of points in two years i dont know but i know some one that had the same problem

 

[Bondo]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

If the Voltage going to the points is too High,<br />It'll Burn them up.........<br />The Other thing that ruins points is Time.... Oxidation.....<br /><br />Run a piece of Fine Emery Cloth thru them.....<br />If they clean up, You're good to go..... For Awhile......

 

[elpaso]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

If there is no ignition resistor<br />installed ? You will burn points<br />up - fast.

 

[achris]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

The resistor is the wire, so you won't 'see' a resistor. If the condensor is bad you'll also burn the points pretty quick.<br /><br />Usually when I do the ignition I use a kit from Merc which has the points, condensor and rotor. Cheaper that way than buying individually. Kit # -34235A1 Costs $12.33 from Mercruiserparts.com<br /><br />Chris...........

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

Try a pertronix II electronic igntion. I did and I love it! Nothing to adjust or change and a very smooth engine!<br /><br /><br /> http://www.pertronix.com/

 

[flashback]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

Westdevil, you asked if you could see damaged points. Yes you can, the flat surfaces of the points become pitted and rough, burnt looking. Like bondo said, clean them up with emory cloth, and make sure the surfaces are inline with each other and parallel.. switching to pertronics is a good option, but my personal preference is to stick with the points. there a lot simpler to replace if you get stuck out on the water, although, I guess you could carry an extra pertronics kit also, if your budget permits...Elpaso and Achris also bring up some good ideas.. resistor wire is usually the problem if you are burning up points too fast........

 

[Fishermark]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

I put a Pertronics kit on my dad's boat - best money we have spent. If you are worried about getting stranded you can still keep a set of points as a spare because nothing is changed that can't be "undone" very simply.

 

[Westdevil]

Re: bad points/or not/after 9 outings

HOW DO YOU NO THAT YOU HAVE A INGNITION RESISTOR AND WHERE IS IT AT.