Upgrading 1976 Viking W/MerCruiser 165 to Electronic ignition

[Anthenium]

I recently picked up an older, but well maintained Deck Boat from a neighbor for $1000. It is a 22' 1976 Viking SportDeck with the Venerable MerCruiser 165 engine and OMC Stern Drive. It runs fine, and has been reliable for the previous owner, as well as myself this season. The points do seem the weak link, needing the gap sanded every once in a while. So I saw this Great Electronic Ignition Upgrade from PTI, the Flamethrower coil and Electronic Ignition kit. It was around $120. So, I look at the instructions and they look pretty straight forward until I see this one paragraph at the end regarding older OMC outdrive applications. It shows a diagram of 2 diodes and 2 resistors that must be added for the Interrupt Controller to work correctly . Does anyone have experience with an Older MerCruiser getting this upgrade? I'd love to drop the Kit it, it looks pretty straight forward, but I'd like to know if my boat is one of the ones that would require this modification before moving forward.

 

[Bt Doctur]

I doubt it, mercruiser uses a switch on the shift plate to ground the coil to aid in coming OUT of gear
Points are never sanded, they are replaced once a year .Personally I dont consider electronics an "up grade"

 

[Anthenium]

Thanks for your response Doc,

Are you advising against the Electronic Ignition Conversion? The plugs & points have been replaced at the beginning of the season. The previous owner told me that when it seems to take a while to start he would give the points a light sanding. (I've also found a Shot of Starting Fluid works wonders!)

Here is what I found on the Pertronix website FAQ:

Will the Ignitor? work with the shift interrupter on an OMC stern drive boat? The Ignitor is compatible with all OMC stern drive applications, when they are equipped with our "diode fix". Click on the "diode fix" diagram to view in full size.



View attachment file.php?key=Rljgqotr62W3128pPkqcXBxULwTIZYY4&expires=1504051200&signature=1f9b3f1cab58f2234c3...pdf

 

[Alumarine]

Why are you concerned about the OMC aspect?
OMC was a stern drive manufacturer. It's not a model of mercruiser.

I have points on my motors and they start instantly, even after sitting for several weeks.
But, my ignition and fuel systems are in good order.

 

[Anthenium]

Thanks Yes, I know OMC is a stern drive manufacturer. I believe that the conversion to the electronic ignition may have some effect on the shift interrupter on the OMC stern drive. In the documentation from my previous post there is a diagram showing how to make the Shift Interrupter from the OMC stern drive compatible with the Ignitor electronic ignition conversion. I am concerned about the OMC aspect because it is mentioned by name in the documentation.

The points I have now work fine, and I may just keep the ignition system in it's current / original configuration. After I get the boat started, she Restarts instantly throughout the day. Just a bit "Cold-Blooded" 1st time around. I'll probably have this boat for 1 or 2 more seasons before I'll most likely get a newer / bigger / or Better boat. But if this is a Low Cost / High Benefit, easy to do conversion, I would consider putting it in place. I was hoping to find someone who may have been down this road already... ^ .. ^

 

[nola mike]

The conversion is easy. You don't have an OMC (right?), you don't need to be concerned about the electric shift interrupt that that's referring to.

 

[Anthenium]

I do have an OMC sterndrive...

 

[nola mike]

OK, so then you don't have a mercruiser engine (unless it's been replaced). And that's why everyone's confused. I believe all of the stringers had the electric shift interrupt requiring that mod, but you'd get better info from the OMC forums...

 

[Scott Danforth]

I do have an OMC sterndrive...

so why title your thread mercruiser and why post it in the mercruiser section? Hence the confusion.

and no, pertronix isnt an upgrade to points, is simply an electronic replacement for points. point maintenance is easy (plus you can field repair points with nothing more than a matchbook and a screw driver)

Ga and i disagree on this subject, i filed points every spring just like I was taught in auto shop class

 

[Anthenium]

OK, I will move this to the OMC Section. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Scott Danforth]

just PM a mod to move it

 

[Anthenium]

I recently picked up an older, but well maintained Deck Boat from a neighbor for $1000. It is a 22' 1976 Viking SportDeck with the Venerable MerCruiser 165 engine and OMC Stern Drive. It runs fine, and has been reliable for the previous owner, as well as myself this season. The points do seem the weak link, needing the gap sanded every once in a while. So I saw this Great Electronic Ignition Upgrade from PTI, the Flamethrower coil and Electronic Ignition kit. It was around $120. So, I look at the instructions and they look pretty straight forward until I see this one paragraph at the end regarding older OMC outdrive applications.

Here is what I found on the Pertronix website FAQ:

Will the Ignitor? work with the shift interrupter on an OMC stern drive boat? The Ignitor is compatible with all OMC stern drive applications, when they are equipped with our "diode fix". Click on the "diode fix" diagram to view in full size.



file.php?key=Rljgqotr62W3128pPkqcXBxULwTIZYY4&expires=1504051200&signature=1f9b3f1cab58f2234c33189b8910db0445ffb6f4.pdf

Does anyone have experience with an Older OMC getting this upgrade? I'd love to drop the Kit it, it looks pretty straight forward, but I'd like to know if my boat is one of the ones that would require this modification before moving forward.

 

[kenny nunez]

If your OMC is the electric shift old model you do not need the "diode fix". Just hook it up. OMC only used the in line 6 for about 4 years . I think 73-77.

 

[Bondo]

MerCruiser 165 engine and OMC Stern Drive.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... How much of it is Mercruiser, 'n how much of it is OMC,..??

 

[Redrig]

Based on the year of your omc , you should be an electric shift , if that is the case Kenny is right you don't need to do anything other than hook it up and go .

Those instructions about the diodes are talking about cobras not applicable to you.

Post a pic of the outdrive and we can tell you sure

 

[Anthenium]

OK! Are we all sitting down. I have a Mercruiser engine & drive. Someone put an OMC Sticker on the back of the boat to cover a big scratch. But the Black Outdrive clearly has a Mercruiser Badge on it. Which means I have no worries with this ignition, and I need to learn a bit more about my Boat.

Thanks for the Warm Welcome! If a Moderator would like to remove this post, Feel Free!

 

[Alumarine]

Good to know!

 

[stonyloam]

Don't use sandpaper, it will round off the points and leave grit behind which will decrease the efficiency, or cause the points to burn and pit. Get yourself a points file (about $5) a couple of strokes will leave a nice clean flat surface on the contacts.

 

[achris]

... .Personally I dont consider electronics an "up grade"

Any modification that removes an old, outdated system (ie, points) and replaces it with something reliable and zero maintenance is an upgrade.
I had an old 165. Yep, every year, new points, new plugs, set the gap, set the timing. Adjust the fuel mixtures and idle speed. PITA!
I now have an MPI engine. No points, no carb adjustments, new plugs once every 6 years, no 'sick engine' due to 'tune' drifting as the points heel became worn. My engine 'self tunes' about 100 times a second, and I don't have to worry about a load of low quality fuel causing detonation, my knock sensors will hear it and adjust the timing accordingly.
Electronics on engines is a GREAT upgrade.

Agreed, I don't have much hope of fixing anything (at sea) if it breaks down, but I need not worry about that, those electronics are infinitely more reliable than any bouncing points, vibrating springs and weights and an arachic fuel metering system that relies on air flow to work, sort of, but can be struck down by flooded floats, worn needles. And can run your engine lean just because of the weather. How 19th Century! And apart from the same problems that will stop a points/carb engine, even if I do have a sensor fail, it'll drop into Guardian mode, save my engine from frying itself (let's see your points engine do that trick!) and allow me to get home safely anyway.... So, :thumb: all round.

For me (and countless thousands for people) electronics on engines is a no brainer. They work better, they are more reliable, require near zero maintenance, and reduce running costs. What's not to love?

Chris.......