distributor

R

rcwjona1

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Messages
25
do you need to have a marine distributor, or can you use a hei distributor for a car. The distributor i have on the boat now is not giving off enough spark.:confused:
 
M

meesh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 24, 2008
Messages
256
Re: distributor

There are HEI marine versions, but no you cannot use a automotive ditributor. It must be marine rated.
 
180shabah

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: distributor

What is wrong with your current setup? Have you tested anything, or are you just itchin to spend big dollars?
 
Bifflefan

Bifflefan

Commander
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
2,933
Re: distributor

meesh said:
There are HEI marine versions, but no you cannot use a automotive ditributor. It must be marine rated.
Click to expand...

not true, we put a auto dist in my friends bayliner 9 years ago. still runs great.
 
R

rcwjona1

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Messages
25
Re: distributor

Not looking to spend more, just wanted to check before I tried other alternatives.
 
Showtime22

Showtime22

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
133
Re: distributor

I think marine distributors are built to be more water resistant, and to ensure no spark ignites fuel vapors in a boats engine compartment.

But Maybe I'm crazy.
 
Bt Doctur

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,346
Re: distributor

just "Darwin Award Candidates"
Exactly why do you think the spark is weak, what color and how far does it jump?
 
Showtime22

Showtime22

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
133
Re: distributor

A FLAMETHROWER coil from Pertronix could improve the spark.
 
J

jtybt

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
730
Re: distributor

An auto HEI dist will work perfectly fine in a boat. It's just that it's not approved for marine use. If there was a fire/explosion on your boat no insurance company would cover it ...and you would be responsible to everyone and everything.

Instant bankruptcy.
 
R

rcwjona1

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Messages
25
Re: distributor

I am having trouble with the distributor from the cap maybe or rotor. I'm not getting enough spark to start the motor. It is real hard to turn over. I have 2 battery's hooked up rechecked started and timing. Checked the volts to the cap, thats where the trouble starts. Someone suggested that I use an hei distributor from a car motor to get a better spark, but I was pretty sure that you needed a marine distributer.
 
Showtime22

Showtime22

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
133
Re: distributor

I am not quite understanding. Does it start with the two batteries or not at all?
 
W

wca_tim

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
1,708
Re: distributor

jtybt said:
An auto HEI dist will work perfectly fine in a boat. It's just that it's not approved for marine use. If there was a fire/explosion on your boat no insurance company would cover it ...and you would be responsible to everyone and everything.

Instant bankruptcy.
Click to expand...

If you're still around to sue... I know people do it, the last merc 350 package I bought for a project had a car hei distributer on it. nice and rusty on the inside, etc... it's in a box in the garage somewhere because I haven't gotten around to throwing it away.
 
Fishermark

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: distributor

rcwjona1 said:
I am having trouble with the distributor from the cap maybe or rotor. ...Checked the volts to the cap, thats where the trouble starts.....
Click to expand...

First of all - what are you working on?

Secondly - do you currently have points or electronic ignition?

Where are you checking the voltage?

Bottom line, distributors don't usually cause problems in and of themselves. Time to do some actual troubleshooting. Post what you have and many on here can offer some tips.

I echo the above sentiments however. You don't want to simply start replacing parts - and certainly not automotive parts.
 
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