Merc 165 Points question

[ShowMeGuy]

I picked up a donor boat that I'm hoping has a good block and wanted to try to get it started before I go thru the trouble of removing it to find out it's not worth fixing. That brings me to where I am now... Not all that far unfortunately. I'm getting beat up by my points. So here is my question.

SN on the Valve Cover - 4448082
SN on the rear of Block - 4486451

I am expecting to loose continuity when the Points open up. When I have them off of the Distributor they act as I would suspect. When I install them to the distributor plate I have continuity no matter what position the lobe point is at. This can't be correct can it? As I don't have any sparks jumping the gap (19thousandths).

No to a somewhat related question.
I've got pins 5&6 jumper-ed together and have 5v on the + side of the distributor. I assume that it's low because of a ballast resistor wire? Then I'm jumping from battery to the small pin on the starter closest to the block.

Help me out! I'm stumped for sure... and I just can't believe it... UGH!.

Ted

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Merc 165 Points question

I am expecting to loose continuity when the Points open up.

Let's see, one side of your points is connected to the - side of the coil and the other side to ground. So if both sides read continuity to ground when the points are open then the points are not correct. Here is a sticky that may help http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342393 topic #17 (it is at the top of this forum).

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: Merc 165 Points question

It wasn't the points that were causing the ground. IT was either the Tach or the Shift safety switch. (either of the 2 other wires that connect to the Neg side fo the coil) Once I removed them after looking at my service manual like I should have to begin with. WahLAH. Fire to the plugs and with a line to a temp gas line it was fired up on muffs.

 

[achris]

Re: Merc 165 Points question

Tacho you can live without... Interrupt switch you can't....