Testing Gas Flow on 82' Wellcraft Sterndrive

[foste1cc]

I would install a electronic distributor before putting a Petronix system in . See them online for 120-150.00 , which is less money than the Petronix set up .

I'm thinking of giving this a try. I finally found the cause of my problems to be with timing. It jumps around at an idle, even with the dist. tight. Inspected the mechanical advance mechanisms and there was no wear or slop on any of the components.

Would you (or anyone) happen to know which model number dizzy would fit my 470?

 

[foste1cc]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding an electronic distributor that will fit my 3.7L 4cyn., let alone any in the price range of 120-150.
Help would be more appreciated than you know. TIA!

 

[Scott Danforth]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding an electronic distributor that will fit my 3.7L 4cyn., let alone any in the price range of 120-150.
Help would be more appreciated than you know. TIA!

they do NOT exist. you can get a custom one made for the 3.7 liter by Daves Small body HEI, however they will not be marine compliant. they will also be extremely expensive.

Pertronix makes a point conversion for the stock delco distributor.

if you have to rebuild your distributor, there are a few places you can get bushings (like Napa), however to rebuild your advance system, you need a distributor machine.

 

[mr 88]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding an electronic distributor that will fit my 3.7L 4cyn., let alone any in the price range of 120-150.
Help would be more appreciated than you know. TIA!

I would get the model ,serial number off the current distributor then have a auto parts store cross reference it . Or Google it . I'm guessing it's from a 3.0 - 4 cylinder engine . Mercruiser did not have them made special , they came off the inventory shelves . If you research- Google your info something will show up.

 

[JimS123]

I had an I/O with a points distributor and it was an annual issue. Clean them, dress them, etc. Not hard, but I want to go fishing not tinkering.

Finally, I replaced it with the Pertronics unit. WHOOLY MACKERAL. Not only no more tinkering, but the engine simply ran better and smoother.

Then I read about it on the freaking internet. Problematic, they break down, don't last long. OK...coolaid.....I bought a spare set. 10 years later I sold the boat and gave the spare to the new owner.

More money needlessly spent.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would get the model ,serial number off the current distributor then have a auto parts store cross reference it . Or Google it . I'm guessing it's from a 3.0 - 4 cylinder engine . Mercruiser did not have them made special , they came off the inventory shelves . If you research- Google your info something will show up.

The distributor was never used in a car As the Mercruiser 3.7 was dreamed up at mercury by taking the pistons and head from a Ford 460 and making a custom block and crank with a custom cam. It also is completely different than the 3.0

Mercruiser DID have them custom made.

The Mercruiser distributor is a cross between parts of the shaft of a Ford small block, the body of a Chevy vega and mechanical advance parts from an international

The starter is a custom marinized international 304 V8 varient

 

[Scott Danforth]

Mercruiser 470 dizzy



3.0 dizzy

 

[foste1cc]

I'm curious about this.. however, just to clarify,
Your pictures are showing how the 3.0 is different from the 3.7,,
and how that 3.0 dizzy wouldn't work with my 3.7, correct??

Saying this since I've had mixed feedback that these electronic dizzys both exist and don't exist. I see how the 3.0 doesn't have that spring loaded square rod - I'm not sure of the purpose of that rod, however.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I'm curious about this.. however, just to clarify,
Your pictures are showing how the 3.0 is different from the 3.7,,
and how that 3.0 dizzy wouldn't work with my 3.7, correct??

Saying this since I've had mixed feedback that these electronic dizzys both exist and don't exist. I see how the 3.0 doesn't have that spring loaded square rod - I'm not sure of the purpose of that rod, however.

correct, you can not make a 3.0 distributor fit a 3.7 short of a machine shop and custom make one.

the 3.7 liter does not have an electronic distributor anywhere. the only thing that exists is the pertronix point replacment trigger, however the distributor still has the mechanical advance.

hundreds of hotrodders would love to have an off-the shelf solution, me included. for dropping the mercruiser motor with an aluminum head and some deck work into things like a 1932 ford, etc.

If you want to do some reading...... here you go

The elusive 224/3.7 MerCruiser banger

MerCruiser 224 cid/3.7L I4 Bore: 4.36 Stroke: 3.75 Aluminum block Big block Ford head SB Chevy transmission compatible bellhousing pattern...

www.jalopyjournal.com

As stated, you can have one custom made which is pricey. you have to supply a vega distributor core along with your 3.7 distributor, or at least that is what was required about 18 months ago when I was looking for a solution.

that shaft is what drives the oil pump

I see how the 3.0 doesn't have that spring loaded square rod - I'm not sure of the purpose of that rod, however.

the "spring loaded" portion is the mechanical advance springs in the distributor. you are correct, the Delco EST does not have a mechanical advance.

 

[foste1cc]

So, I successfully switched over to the pertronix ignitor and coil.
She fires right up now. Sounds smoother and noticeably better.

Now.. I have a new issue - overheating
This will be on a new thread.
Thanks everyone!

 

[Scott Danforth]

You know that these motors do not like even a 10 degree over-heat due to the open deck and the aluminum block/iron head