Replacing points ignition with Pertronix (or similar) electronic set

[infideltarget]

I am debating replacing my points ignition with a Pertronix set up. I have experience with them in cars, but I need some input on them for boats. Any experience with them? Good or bad is fine. I just need input. Also, does it matter if it is one for a car, or does it have to be one of the ones "for marine use", since the dist cap is marine style, and I will never use it in salt? If it is a sealed electronic unit, why would it matter if it is for marine use or not? Thanks for any input!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Replacing points ignition with Pertronix (or similar) electronic set

I am probably one of the few that will tell you that you gain nothing.

On my 1980 boat I have standard points and have only changed twice. My boat starts in less than 2 seconds after the first start of the day. The second time I changed mine was in the ocean 5 miles from port. It took less than 15 minutes and we were back under way. First checked if getting fuel and it was then checked for spark and had none. Pull off the cap and saw some trash in the points so just changed. When got home checked them closer and then look perfect so I could have just wiped off the trash.
Had I had the Pertronix I would have needed a tow.

If it gained you HP I would say go ahead. The best I have heard from other is it idels better.

One thing for sure is make sure it is Pertronics II or better as Pertronics 1 would burn it self up if you left the ignition on for more than 30 seconds without the engine running. I towed in 2 ski boat with this problem. Hopefully they no longer sell the first version.

Many think it makes their boat start faster but for me I do not see how my boat could start faster as I do not even think mine makes a full revolution before it starts.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing points ignition with Pertronix (or similar) electronic set

Its not going to help your performance and you are going to have to do some modifications for your OMC ESA to work properly unless you buy an aftermarket ESA that allows the use of the Pertronix.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Replacing points ignition with Pertronix (or similar) electronic set

Its not going to help your performance and you are going to have to do some modifications for your OMC ESA to work properly unless you buy an aftermarket ESA that allows the use of the Pertronix.

Thanks Bruce. That is exactly what I was looking for. SO the Pertronix will not allow the "stuttering" of the ignition to allow shifting in / out of gear? I wasn't necessarily after more performance, I just hate messing with points. Guess I will be keeping them for now. Thanks again!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing points ignition with Pertronix (or similar) electronic set

You may or may not have the improved ESA that uses a timer. The OMC recall that changed these occured in the early 90s. You can buy the CDI replacement for the OMC ESA that not only has the timer but can be used with Pertronix. To see if you have the updated OMC ESA(still won't work with Pertronix), you either have no overstroke switch or the overstroke switch is bypassed in the harness for the new ESA. If you have the overstroke switch, depress both the overstroke switch and the shift switch. If the motor still stumbles and stops stumbling after a few seconds, you already have the updated OMC ESA.

The better solution to the Pertronix is putting in a Delco Voyager distributor. Then you trully have a complete electronic distributor which doesn't use weights for timing advance and is more reliable than the Pertronix.

Or...just replace your points every year. Not a big deal!

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Replacing points ignition with Pertronix (or similar) electronic set

Thanks again Bruce. I guess I will have to refresh my memory on setting dwell, gap, and such again. Been a long time since I messed with points. If this were a car with the 351 in it, I would simply grab one of my EEC IV, or DURASPARK distributors off the shelf and put it in, and be done with it. This marinization thing keeps tripping me up. Always has to some extent. It is amazing to me how little of car knowledge transfers to boats, even if it is the same basic engine.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing points ignition with Pertronix (or similar) electronic set

Set the dwell and then set the timing. Use a dwell meter. Don't rely on the gap.