Do I need a new distributor

[kjhowayeck]

One more questions for you mechanical masterminds. I have a 3.0 Mercruier 181 1987 and am getting great compression now with rebuilt head but the engine not putting out any power in the water top speed maybe 5mph. Sounds great in idle but not under a load. I tried to check timing, noticed the number 1,3 plugs are getting no fire. However the engine starts, wires are tested good, new dist cap, new rotor. Does this mean the distributor is gone, or are there other problems that may occur. The current dist has some sort of magneto can it be rebuilt. What are moy choices.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Do I need a new distributor

Artie21<br />Are the plugs gapped at .035? Is the points gap at .019?? Does the dwell read between 31 and 34 degrees?? Going around the distributer starting at plug wire #1 is the order 1,3,4,2??? Inside the Cap are all 4 plug post in good condition?? Is the rotor in good shape?? Did you use OEM or GM parts or the Junk after market gear?? Is the points capacitor in good shape? Is the points spring installed right and are the points clean and bright?? Are you sure the plug wires are good?? Lots of Junk untested wires sold. Is the Coil to distributer high tension wire good. <br /><br />Should be no reason to change the Distirbuter.

 

[kjhowayeck]

Re: Do I need a new distributor

Brand new plug wires and tested good. All plugs set at .035. Order or wires 1,3,4,3 okay. Brand new cap, all good. Brand new rotor. all oem parts. Not sure about dwell because the dist seems to have a magneto and not points. I did not put this in, at some point the original owner must have changed it. Should I get a different dist that has points and put it back in.

 

[novicetech]

Re: Do I need a new distributor

Have you checked out the carb, is the fuel good?<br />What are the symptpms under load? Does the motor make good rpms?

 

[novicetech]

Re: Do I need a new distributor

If no fire on 1&3 I would likey try to identify what kind of conversion kit you have and try to find some technical support from the manufacturer. Pertronics and Sierra are two manufacturers on conversion kits for these distributors. Did the boat ever run good for you?<br />Maybe the person installed it wrong.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Do I need a new distributor

OK if it is the pertronics after market kit and you ever left the key on with out the motor running it could be toast. I would reinstall the old points and capacitor for $5.

 

[kjhowayeck]

Re: Do I need a new distributor

Yes the boat ran good at one time two summers ago and then lost all power at the end of that season. I had some friends look at it and we decided it may be a head gasket after a few tests and low compression. After getting everything apart we noticed two cracks in the head. We replaced it and put back together. Afterwards we found still very little power under load and found that there is only two cyclinders recieving spark. Replaced the aftermarket dist with another one from similar boat off ebay but with only one wire from the dist to coil. After that the boat starts fine and then we noticed a Gas leak from the fuel pump, Timing Seal oil leak, and the alternator is smoking. So one by one I am trying to knock out a problem at a time. Need more daylight. Thanks for your help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do I need a new distributor

So one by one I am trying to knock out a problem at a time.

Well,..........<br />It Sounds like You're Gaining on it........<br /><br />Good Luck....