Quick question on distributor points

[JCFERG]

1985 3.0 liter Mercruiser. Are the two contact points solid or does one of the contacts have a hole all the way through? Did I find my problem? <br />Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

Keep Looking......

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

Yes it could have a hole...if its the rivit that is used to secure the contact material to the little arm on the point assembly. What is the problem your trying to solve?

 

[JCFERG]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

1985 3.0 liter Mercruiser. Got the boat 3 weeks ago. After changing the spark plugs the boat started fairly easy. The boat ran but would not go over 3,000 rpm (rated at 4,500 and had some stalling and then hard starting. Limped back to the dock. At the dock the boat would not restart. I took the boat home and descovered the was no spark coming from the coil. After reading many posts on this message board I was hoping a new coil would cure the low RPM issue and the no spark issue. I bought a cheap coil with the same specs as the original but still got no spark. That is what lead me to the points. I have not replaced the points yet.

 

[record hunter]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

You should throw those points away they are a thing of the past. Buy elactronic. .You can get the modolle and rotor for probably $ 100.oo Easy to install you will be very happy you did

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

Go ahead change the points and condenser, they are cheap enough, make sure they are gapped correctly, and also make sure you voltage at the coil, Once points are gapped check timing and dwell, if timing and points are correct then dwell should be within range, should be a label on the Valve cover with those specs, I just can't remember them right now,But has mentioned electronic is far superior. And remember if your not going to change the condenser, there is no sense putting in a new set of points, usally the condenser is what fails causing the points to fry.

 

[JCFERG]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

The coil has 2 wires going to + and 2 wires going to -. If I remove the grey wire from the negative side of the coil the motor will start (the grey wire runs up into the harness. I still have the black wire going from the coil to the distributor attached. Can anyone tell what the grey wire is and what would be the repair.<br />Thanks

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

It probably runs your tacho, is it working with grey wire disconnected?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Quick question on distributor points

What about the shift assist switch? I have a Cobra with ESA but the shift switch must go to the Neg side of the coil? It could cause it hard to start and stalling.