should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

[snake91876]

Have unresolved issues with my boat. it busts up at mid to upper rpms. Changed carb to a new one and ran slightly finer but is busting up and popping back at mid to uppper rpms. I dont know if i have a fuel delivery problem or ignition problem. are points efficient when set right or should i just opt for the electronic to rule out that issue. I dont know where to go the boat busts up worse when i put a higher pitch prop on and create more load. Boat idles and cranks perfect just when underway at mid to upper gives me the problems. I noticed when working on carb when i take fuel line loose the gas is not at the top of the line , should it hold gas to the carb.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

In my opinion, YES get rid of them. Move into the 20th century.

But this is me...

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

Why so a spark box can fry out ? Around 10 million vehicles or more run great on points right now. Your doing it wrong.

Are the points new ? Did you burn the points ? Clean fuel and good flow ?
Fresh tune up and correct ignition timing ?

Good luck I hope you get it fixed.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

I guess i should have read the whole post first.
You need to find the problem, not just throw parts at it. Unless you are rich.
Read the manual and do the tests in order to find the problem.


Then git rid of the points...

 

[meesh]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

Go to the adults section up top. Down load your engine and drive. Diagnose your problem one step at a time. Just changing parts only wastes time and money and rarely solves the problem. Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

points will definitely go to 6000 rpm, may want to do a compression and leakdown because a weak valve spring, burnt valve ,bad lifter will do the same thing.there is NOTHING wrong with points IF you would take the time to learn how they work and what is required to keep them in top condition to produce spark.Only thing better than points,or electronics is Magneto ignition.Faster it turns, hotter the spark.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

I would say most all magnetos are point type as well, the good ones anyway.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

Well, you can pull the distributor and find a shop with a tester --- they will spin it up and see if the points bounce at low rpm.

I have seen points --- spring tension so low --- they would bounce at 2000 rpm

Bushings so bad only fired on a couple of cylinders.

At least there easy to fix in the middle of the lake ---- I can stare at the electronic ignition box all day and not figure out what is wrong with it

Points run fine and last a long time !

OFM

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: should i do away with points ignition on Merc. 3.0l

I have the Pertronix conversion inside the distributor cap and am OK with it. But I agree with these guys that if it breaks, I can't fix it on the water. Along with a spare rotor I still carry points on the boat just in case. I'd have to read the manual to install them, though. (Yes, the manual and tools are onboard.) I also agree with troubleshooting instead of throwing parts and money at it.