Mercruiser 3.0 Digital electronic ignition question?

[fairshopperguy27]

I picked up a 1995 bluewater yesterday for a good deal that HAD a merc 3.0 lx with digital ignition, that motor was taken out and junked, all the original wiring is still in the boat. I have a 1988 merc 3.0 that im putting in & now am coverting the ignition sytem to digital, I was lucky enough to have gotten the 95' distributor & coil from the pile of engine parts from the guy. distributor is on, everything looks good, new coil will mount right to the block, great! All plugs & wires look good. Now heres my question, is there a ignition module for this system? If there is I cant find it under the dash, near the engine compartment & I really dont see where it would plug in? My mechanic buddy ses there has to be one. If there is one would it possibly still be on the old block? thanks in advance!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Digital electronic ignition question?

The control unit should mount on the same bracket as the coil.
This shows all the parts.



One other note, the 3.0LX used a different control unit than the standard 3.0L used. The heads were different and there were different spark plugs.

 

[fairshopperguy27]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Digital electronic ignition question?

Don S.

Thanks for the info. I called the guy & asked him about the control box. hes going to look around, but I doubt he will find it. If I dont get it from him are there any "auto" options for me, like could I grab one off a 1995 chevy 3.0 car motor in the junkyard? probably not but worth asking. Also you said the heads are different, are you saying it is necessary to swap the 95' head onto my 88' block to make this conversion work?

Thanks,Chris

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Digital electronic ignition question?

That system was only used by Mercruiser on the 3.0 engines. and only between they years of 91 and 95.
That control module alone costs around $750. (No, that is not a typo Seven hundred and fifty)

Your best bet would be to either stick with the points, or move up to the EST like Mercruiser did. Kits are available.

3.0L Delco Voyager EST Marine Electronic Distributor Kit

 

[fairshopperguy27]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Digital electronic ignition question?

The control unit should mount on the same bracket as the coil.
This shows all the parts.

View attachment 177878

One other note, the 3.0LX used a different control unit than the standard 3.0L used. The heads were different and there were different spark plugs.

Don S.

I thonk I got it figured out. This link is the wrong schematic for my 95' 3.0. The control module is actually built into the distributor on this one. Does that sound right? I would like to know more about the differences between heads 1995 & 1988. Will the new digital ignition work with these 88' heads

Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Digital electronic ignition question?

This link is the wrong schematic for my 95' 3.0.

Then you don't have a digital system. Post a picture of what you have, then we don't have to guess.

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