Electronic Ignition???

[Condor1970]

Ok, since I have figured out my 1989 Merc 3.0L desperately needs a tune up, and possible carb rebuild, I can't help but wonder.... Since I have to buy all new points, condenser, cap and rotor, I will need to set the gap, and also go out and buy myself a dwell meter, since none of my neighbors have one....

Well, I can't help but think I should just upgrade to electronic and get the Pertronix Ignitor II, and the epoxy coil.

I have to admit, I hate setting the dwell on points, and messing with timing everytime I do it.

Does this seem like agood idea?

 

[midcarolina]

Yep, you will get easier starts, I think it's about 50/50 on the recommendations on the petronix or the Delco est....

You will also have to rewire the shift interrupter switch.

 

[Condor1970]

Whoa, I never thought of that. What exactly needs to be done?

 

[eavega]

I think the poster is confusing the conversion for an OMC vs Mercruiser. I did the Pertronix conversion on a 1988 3.0L Mercruiser, and there is no need to mess with the shift interrupter. The only change you need to make is to take the resistor wire off of the coil, and then wire in a full 12V wire. The coil requires the full 12V to run, so the purple resistor wire is unnecessary. Pertronix install instructions goes over this point.

Rgds
Eric

 

[midcarolina]

If he has the old style shift interrupter the terminal block is grounded.......and will need to be modified.

 

[Jacalore]

Eric is right. I have the Pertronix with marine ig coil and it works fine. It did take a long while to find that !@#$! resistive wire tho. No modification needed to switch on my 1985 3.0L 140hp

 

[Fishermark]

You do not need to modify the shift interrupt. You do need a full 12v. Easy to bypass, simply splice into the lead at the electric choke - if you have electric choke.

I have done several Pertronix upgrades over the years on various boats. I will say this - I recently upgraded the points ignition on my current project - 86 vintage Mercruiser 3 liter. I decided to go inexpensive. I found "hot spark" brand setup. It looks identical to the Pertronix set up. It only cost $59. Has worked good so far!

 

[Starcraft5834]

Flip side of the coin............I have a 1987 3.0 140.. tried the conversion thing, followed instructions to the letter. engine ran horrible.. put points plate back in,, runs perfect.......if it isnt broke, dont break it........tune up kits each spring are very cheap.. with that said...if you convert, hope it goes well for you... my experience was not good......

 

[tinkerguy70]

I too used the Pertronix conversion kit that I bought here at iBoats. As others have said, there is no need to mess with the shift interrupter switch, you only need to wire in a full 12v source to the coil.
As for the conversion, it solved a number of problems on my 3.0.
However, if your engine runs smooth and starts well, I wouldn't spend the money on the conversion kit just for an 'upgrade'. You won't see any performance boosts by just installing it.

 

[thumpar]

I put the Pertronix ignitor II and Flamethrower II in my old boat with a 2.5l (almost same engine and same conversion parts). I ran it for 5+ years and was always happy with it. It sold last year and I saw it on the water just a couple weeks ago. My dad has had the Pertronix Ignitor I in his 1966 Mustang for 15+ years and never had a problem. Other than making sure the timing is set there is no work that needs to be done other than the conversion itself. The shift interrupt is not effected.