Chrysler 70 horse Dist. cap question???

ac0j

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
98
Hello all, great forum here. I have found a lot of answers here. I was given a 70 horse chrysler outboard that had a blown ignition box. I am going to convert it to a standard coil system after reading posts here on that topic. BUT I took off the distributor cap, and found the little carbon spring loaded center conductor is almost gone. Only a small portion of it remains. It is bad enough to make me think the "black box" might be ok.
I want to know If there is a replacement for this. OR is it possible to modify an electric motor brush of some kind? Does anyone know which brush is the closest and needs the least modifications? From what I can tell the whole cap is pretty pricey!
Just FYI The motor is a Model 7071, sn. 4822
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,075
Re: Chrysler 70 horse Dist. cap question???

I'm guessing your in the US(profile). Go to any auto parts store and start looking at dist.caps.The later models with electronic ign.and the coil in the dist.has a spring loaded carbon tip like you mentioned.J
 

huskerdaninva

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
240
Re: Chrysler 70 horse Dist. cap question???

You have the same model # as I do. (7071) Something to think about... sometimes people think the CDI box has gone bad, (and it very well may be) and the problem is caused by oxidized dirty points. I would check all your electrical connections, make sure ALL the ground wires are connected, and clean/re-gap the points to .014" and insure that all coil connections are good. Once that is all done, then re-check and see if you have spark. Pay close attention to a small black ground jumper wire that terminates on the the distributor housing. This is an "additional" ground wire and needs to be installed. Proper ground is essential to this ignition system. Good luck...
 

ac0j

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
98
Re: Chrysler 70 horse Dist. cap question???

You have the same model # as I do. (7071) Something to think about... sometimes people think the CDI box has gone bad, (and it very well may be) and the problem is caused by oxidized dirty points. I would check all your electrical connections, make sure ALL the ground wires are connected, and clean/re-gap the points to .014" and insure that all coil connections are good. Once that is all done, then re-check and see if you have spark. Pay close attention to a small black ground jumper wire that terminates on the the distributor housing. This is an "additional" ground wire and needs to be installed. Proper ground is essential to this ignition system. Good luck...

I was just going to start working on this when I noticed the center contact in the cap was shot. Looks like the previous owner tryed to pry it out. I got the motor with the CDI box already removed. Previous owner told me that was the problem. I will double check the points and reinstall the box to check it out. Otherwise I will just convert to a conventional coil setup. I havent checked compression yet but by turning the flywheel, it feels good. As soon as I figure out the dist. cap issue I will tear into it! I got the CDI box with the motor in a cardboard box, he had dug all the (silicone?) out from the circuit board. I have some electronics background so I will check the box before I reseal the contents.
 

huskerdaninva

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
240
Re: Chrysler 70 horse Dist. cap question???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...9220396QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

Noticed this today on ebay a NOS distributor cap for sale at a decent price. (less than $20.00) However, it is just the top of the cap, (This has the spring loaded button you mention.) that is held by two screws to the lower body of the cap and I could not tell if it was for a 3 cyl or a 4 cyl. Good luck!
 
Top