Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

[toddb3]

I just bought a Mallory ignition kit to switch my 85 470 Mercruiser over from points to electronic. My question is Mallory states that I need to install a Ballast resistor if my engine doesnt come factory with a loom resistor from the ignition to the positive post on the coil. Looking through my manual there is a Purple resistance wire that runs between the positive post on my coil to the electronic choke on the carb. Is this the same thing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Don S]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

Yes, same thing.

 

[eddy pons]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

dont for get to set your timing @ 4 degrees btdc,mercury recomended all their 3.7l to be set @

 

[toddb3]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

Thanks for the replies, I thought it was but wanted to make sure. Its a funny thing you mentioned setting the timing at 4 degrees my Clymer manual stated 8 degrees but the Mercruiser Service Manual states 4... I'm wondering what other bad information I've received from non-factory manual.

 

[eddy pons]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

keep an eye on your exhaust riser /resovoir the gasket bellow has a tendancy of leaking a/f into your exhaust and wipping out the motor,clue is loosing a little bit of antifreeze every time you use the boat and cant find the leak,also a white stain on the side of the resovoir where the bolts go through ,when in dought go to a merc dealer buy the gasket and replace it they will supply you with the updated versio this way you could also check the condition of the riser end,,,

 

[Don S]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

keep an eye on your exhaust riser /resovoir the gasket bellow has a tendancy of leaking a/f into your exhaust and wipping out the motor,clue is loosing a little bit of antifreeze every time you use the boat and cant find the leak,also a white stain on the side of the resovoir where the bolts go through ,when in dought go to a merc dealer buy the gasket and replace it they will supply you with the updated versio this way you could also check the condition of the riser end,,,

What does any of that and the timing, have to do with his question about the distributor wire being a resistor wire or not?????

Toddb3
If you have an engine that is actually called a 470, then it's actually an 84 or earlier. Guessing your boat is an 85 and it could very well have an 84 engine.
So, if you do have a 470, then 8? BTDC is what the OEM manual calls for not 4?. The 4? is for 85 and newer motors.
If in doubt, what is the Merc SN of your engine.

 

[toddb3]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

Sorry for the confusion, I call it a 470 but its actually a 170MR, I for some reason thought that the engine design designated it as a 470. I installed the Mallory ignition this weekend to the instructions but am not getting spark. I need to triple check everything tonight.

 

[Don S]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

At the link below, you can download an OEM service manual
#8 is for the 170, and #6 is for your outdrive.

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/sisdata/srvcovr.pdf

 

[MikDee]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

I just bought a Mallory ignition kit to switch my 85 470 Mercruiser over from points to electronic. My question is Mallory states that I need to install a Ballast resistor if my engine doesnt come factory with a loom resistor from the ignition to the positive post on the coil. Looking through my manual there is a Purple resistance wire that runs between the positive post on my coil to the electronic choke on the carb. Is this the same thing?

Thanks in advance.

This sounds Odd to me? Usually when you convert to electronic ignition, they advise you not to use the resistor wire, or any resistor at all, you normally have to Find, or Run a new power wire (a full 12 volts +) to the coil, that works off the ignition switch, to turn it on/off with the key, Also, the unit has to be able to work with your (shift interrupter switch), meaning to be compatable with this.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

Usually..you normally .....

This is why I try to forget every spec I ever learned and use the manual for each repair.
"Usually" and "normally" worked well for fixing 1960's cars...

 

[toddb3]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

This sounds Odd to me? Usually when you convert to electronic ignition, they advise you not to use the resistor wire, or any resistor at all, you normally have to Find, or Run a new power wire (a full 12 volts +) to the coil, that works off the ignition switch, to turn it on/off with the key, Also, the unit has to be able to work with your (shift interrupter switch), meaning to be compatable with this.

I thought so too, I've read about Pertronix installations and its similar to what you thought. Mallorys module has 3 wires that come out of the distributor, green goes to negative coil post, red goes to positive post and brown goes to a ground on the block. Mallory states that if there is not a loom resistance built in between the ign. switch and the coil that you would need to install a ballast resistor or the module would eventually burn out? I double checked everything this weekend and rolled the boat out of the garage to crank it up and set the timing but no luck. I had fuel at the carb but no spark.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

I used a Pertronix unit on my 86' OMC 4.3V6, that required a full 12volts+ to the coil, it worked fine, apparently your Mallory setup is different. No spark, maybe recheck your ground connection.

 

[mrw90]

Re: Installation of a Mallory ignition kit....

The Mallory is more sensitive to voltage than the Pertronix and does need the ballast resistor to reduce the voltage.