Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

[gwizzar]

Here is the automotive distributor that the previous owner had in the boat. It had a wire coming from behind the distributor (on backside of transom inner-wall) going to the area noted with the green arrow. Would that be the resistor wire discussed below? If so, do I just cut it off??? Directions below are fuzzy to me... need more coffee, I suppose. I know to cut off the vacuum hose since the new one doesn't have it, and putting the new one in with TDC on cylinder 1. In addition, instructions say to attach the red wire to the coil positive terminal and the black to the coil negative terminal. Is the coil the item I have circled in red? Thanks for your time!


According to the Pertronix site, The balast resistor is remove or the resistor wire is replaced when installing the Flame Thrower distributor. If converting from a point type ignition, remove any resistance wire, or ballast resistor that may have been previously used. If a resistance wire is present: replace the wire with a 12-gauge copper stranded wire. Most resistance wires begin at the engine compartment side of the fuse block. If a ballast resistor is present: remove the wires attached to both sides of the resistor. Connect all of the wires removed together at a single point. Isolate the connection from any grounds. Plug the Ignition switch wire into the position marked BAT on the distributor cap.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Ayuh,... We can't see what wire comin' from wherever... It's probably Not a resistor wire...

'n,.. You circled the starter primary solenoid, Not the Coil...
The Coil is the round thingy, with the single Hi-tension lead comin' out the top...

Yer really Way outa yer league here...
With the Problems with yer set up, ya Need somebody who KNOWS what they're doin'...

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Ayuh,... We can't see what wire comin' from wherever... It's probably Not a resistor wire...

'n,.. You circled the starter primary solenoid, Not the Coil...
The Coil is the round thingy, with the single Hi-tension lead comin' out the top...

Yer really Way outa yer league here...
With the Problems with yer set up, ya Need somebody who KNOWS what they're doin'...

You're 100% right. I'm just taking baby steps...learning...not going to do anything stupid when messing with fuel and electricity. Guy had all automotive parts on this boat and I bought marine parts to replace... carb, distributor, fuel pump, alternator, starter, etc. Marine shop "won't put a wrench on her" for liability reasons.. definitely, rightfully so, but they were nice enough to offer to set up an appointment when I'm finished, drop it off, so they can look it over and approve. Classy outfit. I worked on engines 25+ years ago, but automotive and not electrical issues.. just changing transmissions, carbs, fuel and oil pumps, etc. so I am rusty and somewhat illiterate (way out of my league) but patient and not foolish. No rush here.. I appreciate the advice though!

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Ayuh,... We can't see what wire comin' from wherever... It's probably Not a resistor wire...

'n,.. You circled the starter primary solenoid, Not the Coil...
The Coil is the round thingy, with the single Hi-tension lead comin' out the top...

Yer really Way outa yer league here...
With the Problems with yer set up, ya Need somebody who KNOWS what they're doin'...

I'll go take a pic of the wire and send it to you. Thank you!

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Ayuh,... We can't see what wire comin' from wherever... It's probably Not a resistor wire...

'n,.. You circled the starter primary solenoid, Not the Coil...
The Coil is the round thingy, with the single Hi-tension lead comin' out the top...

Yer really Way outa yer league here...
With the Problems with yer set up, ya Need somebody who KNOWS what they're doin'...

I do have a buddy that is a mechanic and grew up with his dad owning a boat (still does actually) and he is suppose to come over sometime tomorrow and do most of the work. I'm just trying to pass time and learn so I feel like I can contribute more when he is here and offer something other than a case of beer

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Guy had all automotive parts on this boat

Ayuh,... I know,.. I read yer other thread,... hence the comment....

No disrespect intended...

 

[achris]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

[size=+1]Beer? BEER? You got Beer? I'm on my way.....

Coil:

Slave solenoid (the right one!!)

Chris.........[/size]

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Ayuh,... We can't see what wire comin' from wherever... It's probably Not a resistor wire...

'n,.. You circled the starter primary solenoid, Not the Coil...
The Coil is the round thingy, with the single Hi-tension lead comin' out the top...

Yer really Way outa yer league here...
With the Problems with yer set up, ya Need somebody who KNOWS what they're doin'...

One goes to the grey wire of the female engine harness while the other runs up front to the toggle kill switch to shut down the engine. Please see the attached pics. Now I'm wondering where to place the end of the kill switch that was on the old distributor since the Flamethrower has only red and black wires with no place to insert it. Hmmm...

Grey wire (#2) goes to the ignition coil and then distributor according to this..if I am reading it correctly.. but as I said... the new dissy only has two wires, red and black. Hmm...

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

[size=+1]Beer? BEER? You got Beer? I'm on my way.....

Coil:

Slave solenoid (the right one!!)

Chris.........[/size]

Thanks, Chris!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

One goes to the grey wire of the female engine harness while the other runs up front to the toggle kill switch to shut down the engine. Please see the attached pics. Now I'm wondering where to place the end of the kill switch that was on the old distributor since the Flamethrower has only red and black wires with no place to insert it. Hmmm...View attachment 152589View attachment 152590

Ayuh,... The gray wire is the tach sender wire, to feed the tach signal....

The wire with the toggle switch, should be switched power from the Keyswitch...

 

[achris]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

One goes to the grey wire of the female engine harness while the other runs up front to the toggle kill switch to shut down the engine. Please see the attached pics. Now I'm wondering where to place the end of the kill switch that was on the old distributor since the Flamethrower has only red and black wires with no place to insert it. Hmmm...View attachment 152589View attachment 152590

Man, that whole engine and wiring is a MESS!!!

Here's what I'd be doing... And it will be the easiest way to get you up and running.... strip EVERYTHING off that engine and leave the barest of block there (just the block and heads)... Also check that the core plugs are not steel (use a magnet)... They should be brass or stainless steel. I would also rip the engine harness off completely, as you will end up chasing your tail if you don't.... (Seen it too many times :facepalm...

Then just start putting on the right gear... Starter motor, Alternator, dissy, intake and carb, fuel pump.... and gradually build the engine up nice and clean... Once everything is in place, sort out the engine wiring harness. Meter every wire to make sure it goes to the right connector on the plug, then lay the harness in and start connecting stuff up....

We have established that it's early 80s, what we need to know now is if it's BIA colour coding or pre-BIA.... I think I gave you a couple of manuals to download. In those you'll find wiring diagrams...Study and learn them.... Understand how everything hooks together, and see if you can work out if the coding is BIA or pre.... If it's BIA, then that grey wire is the tacho feed, and I think (not too sure on non-genuine dissys), it should be hooked to the coil negative.... Check the instructions that came with the dissy....

Chris......

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

[size=+1]Beer? BEER? You got Beer? I'm on my way.....

Coil:

Slave solenoid (the right one!!)

Chris.........[/size]

What blows, Chris, is I had a major surgery a few months ago and can't drink any brews yet. It's killin' me! I haven't gone this long w/o a beer since I was... ahem... turned 21 Lol

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Ayuh,... The gray wire is the tach sender wire, to feed the tach signal....

The wire with the toggle switch, should be switched power from the Keyswitch...

Where would that tach sender wire get connected to using the new distributor pictured.? Thx.

 

[achris]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

What blows, Chris, is I had a major surgery a few months ago and can't drink any brews yet. It's killin' me! I haven't gone this long w/o a beer since I was... ahem... turned 21 Lol

That doesn't sound too good, but at least you're getting out there and among it. I'm guessing the doctors all said "Relax, go fishing"... I'm also guessing they would all have kittens if they found out what you're doing... ...

Truth is, I'm not a big drinker. The last beer I had was in Norway, about 6 months ago... And only then because I was forced to drink it.... I very occasionally have a wine with dinner, but that's only about once a year too.... People ask why I don't drink, is it religion? Nope... I just don't like the taste of the stuff.... That's it....

Cheers,

Chris......

 

[achris]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Where would that tach sender wire get connected to using the new distributor pictured.?

Err, read my previous to last post...

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Man, that whole engine and wiring is a MESS!!!

Here's what I'd be doing... And it will be the easiest way to get you up and running.... strip EVERYTHING off that engine and leave the barest of block there (just the block and heads)... Also check that the core plugs are not steel (use a magnet)... They should be brass or stainless steel. I would also rip the engine harness off completely, as you will end up chasing your tail if you don't.... (Seen it too many times :facepalm...

Then just start putting on the right gear... Starter motor, Alternator, dissy, intake and carb, fuel pump.... and gradually build the engine up nice and clean... Once everything is in place, sort out the engine wiring harness. Meter every wire to make sure it goes to the right connector on the plug, then lay the harness in and start connecting stuff up....

We have established that it's early 80s, what we need to know now is if it's BIA colour coding or pre-BIA.... I think I gave you a couple of manuals to download. In those you'll find wiring diagrams...Study and learn them.... Understand how everything hooks together, and see if you can work out if the coding is BIA or pre.... If it's BIA, then that grey wire is the tacho feed, and I think (not too sure on non-genuine dissys), it should be hooked to the coil negative.... Check the instructions that came with the dissy....

Chris......

Great minds think alike, or at least we do Magnet did not attract the brass core plugs..thx... and here is marine parts laid out, ignition wire set, and I have been striping the engine & wiring down and out. I am meticulous about running wiring properly and boil when I see that people didn't take some extra time to secure, run straight, avoid bends/kinks, etc. or just intertwine junk. Unbelievable! I am not as frustrated as a couple days/weeks ago... I'm actually learning a lot from you guys. Thank you!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

That is a handsome distributor you got there!

Have you looked over the procedure to installing it in the manual yet?

Hey... cover the hole in the intake from the dizzy being out with a rag so you don't drop anything down there.

just being cautious.

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

That doesn't sound too good, but at least you're getting out there and among it. I'm guessing the doctors all said "Relax, go fishing"... I'm also guessing they would all have kittens if they found out what you're doing... ...

Truth is, I'm not a big drinker. The last beer I had was in Norway, about 6 months ago... And only then because I was forced to drink it.... I very occasionally have a wine with dinner, but that's only about once a year too.... People ask why I don't drink, is it religion? Nope... I just don't like the taste of the stuff.... That's it....

Cheers,

Chris......

Love the taste of a few good beers... many friends make their own wine, plus this is "wine country" around NW PA and the Great Lakes, but something about wine just gives me a damn headache,,, one small glass or a bottle; don't matter; I WILL awake the next morning with a migraine from he** To each his own though

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

That is a handsome distributor you got there!

Have you looked over the procedure to installing it in the manual yet?

Hey... cover the hole in the intake from the dizzy being out with a rag so you don't drop anything down there.

just being cautious.

I have scrutinized the instruction manual like, literally, a dozen times. Thx!

Yeah! Geez, did that with the intake manifold (carb,) but not the dizzy hole!! Thanks!

 

[gwizzar]

Re: Help replacing an automotive distributor with Marine Flamethrower Ign II

Err, read my previous to last post...

"it should be hooked to the coil negative.... Check the instructions that came with the dissy...." Missed that!!:facepalm: Thx!