Upgrading to Electronic Ignition??

[SHickey]

Hello,

I need to replace the spark plug wires and rotor cap on my 1978 StarCraft American 20 that has a Mercruisrer 165 and an MC-1 OD and I was thinking of upgrading to an electronic ignition system. I have heard great feedback regarding E/I but I am a little reluctant to spend the money and tear into a perfectly good functioning point ignition system for a little more reliability.

If anyone has made this upgrade on an older 165 or similar motor, I was wondering what brand you used, how difficult was the upgrade and whether you saw an increase in performance and reliability.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have used pertronix, however considering the cost, you could buy 15 sets of points.

 

[SHickey]

Thanks for the response,

Was the upgrade very complicated to wire up and were you satisfied with the results in the end??

 

[stonyloam]

If you are going to upgrade, go with the Petronix Ignitor II and Flamethrower II coil. Pretty easy. With the ignition II, just remove the resistance wire from the coil + and run a stranded wire to a switched 12v source (usually the electric choke wire) to the coil +, then run the red module wire to the coil + terminal. Black wire goes to coil -.

 

[Scott Danforth]

It was easy. However no noticeable change over points as far as motor running

 

[Leardriver]

Years ago, I converted to Pertronix on a 1989 460 OMC. I always convinced myself that it ran better. The cost is pretty inexpensive, I thought.

 

[Fishermark]

The real advantage lies in the ability to simply install and forget. You don't have to worry about adjusting dwell and timing anymore. With points there is the inevitable loss of performance over time as they begin to degrade. I have made several upgrades with different engines. Is this the straight six 165 you are working on?

 

[thumpar]

I did it on my old boat. It started easier after and gained about 200 RPM but otherwise it ran the same. I did the Ignitor II and Flamethrower II at the same time.

 

[SHickey]

Yes this is the old straight six workhorse and it is one of the most reliable marine motors I have ever owned. To bad it has an annoying tick at specific RPM's that I just can't track down. Very frustrating

Tonight I replaced the worn ignition cables, the rotor cap and rotor and it is running like a top again.

Since I will be winterizing the motor soon I will have all winter to decide whether or not to do the upgrade.

 

[stonyloam]

Next time you go to the auto parts store pick up a points file (about $5), In the spring pull the distributor cap and run the file between the points to remove any glazing or corrosion from sitting over the winter. A couple of strokes should do it. If the points are pitted replace them. Check the dwell and timing and you should be good to go. If you decide on the Petronix, go with the Ignitor II And Flamethrower II. Have fun.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Next time you go to the auto parts store pick up a points file (about $5), In the spring pull the distributor cap and run the file between the points to remove any glazing or corrosion from sitting over the winter. A couple of strokes should do it. If the points are pitted replace them. Check the dwell and timing and you should be good to go. If you decide on the Petronix, go with the Ignitor II And Flamethrower II. Have fun.

or dig in your wifes purse for an emery board (free) or buy a set from the dollar store ($1) much less expensive than the points file (and doesnt rust in your tool box)

 

[SHickey]

I guess this all goes back to my dad telling me 40 years ago that " a boat is a hole in the water you dump money into" . But boy are they fun when they run right

 

[bruceb58]

Brand new points vs a Pertronix ignition should be zero performance gain. If anyone tells you they had a performance gain, they didn't know how to adjust dwell.

I would stick with points myself.

 

[achris]

My boat had an in-line 6 in when I bought it. I had previously converted my car (at the time was also an in-line 6) to an electronic ignition I built myself. It was a proper capacitor discharge system, not a 'high voltage switch' as a lot of the earlier DYI kits were. The system performed well on the car, so I built another fo rthe boat engine. I also built systems for friends and they all said it was great.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. The engine started better, certainly idled smoother, and the spark plugs lasted much longer. The system also stayed 'in tune' longer.

Chris......

 

[Starcraft5834]

this year I upgraded my 1987 3.0 GM in line 4. Pertronix system and matching coil. for all the reasons stated.. points run well when maintained, if you are in a climate where boating season is short and your engine sits idle for months, the points corrode and need yearly replacement.. yes they are cheap, yes they are a pain in the booty to screw with yearly,, I am glad I changed, looking forward to next spring only having to dump a little gas in my carb bowl to get her rumbling again..

 

[Bondo]

My boat had an in-line 6 in when I bought it.

Ayuh,.... The Boss bought a '78 Bertram 26 Sport a couple years ago, with twin I-6s,....

I put the pertronic's kits in 'em, 'n spark is Never an issue,....

Induction has been a nightmare though,....
Tracked it down to a delaminatin' fiberglass fuel tank,....
Doin' some surgery on it soon,...
Pulled it outa the river, 'n drained the motors yesterday afternoon,....

 

[bruceb58]

Look at the last post of this thread to see why I don't use Pertronix:
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...2-erratic-tach-readings-bad-voltage-regulator

 

[WIMUSKY]

They make 3 different units. Maybe the one in questions was a Pertronix 1, there were issues with those. I used Pertronix III in a GTO. I believe it's the same as II except it had a rev limiter. One of my buds made the conversion on his boat and has never been happier.

 

[KJM]

I was thinking of doing the same conversion. oddly enough on the exact same engine and also 1978! most people seem to go with pertronix, but I was thinking about "Hotspark" http://www.hot-spark.com/1-3DEL6U1.htm. this one is only about $70 USD, which seemed pretty cheap to me but I know nothing of the quality or if my old coil will fit it. maybe someone out there has heard of this kit?

 

[stonyloam]

Instructions say 3 ohm coil, so that should be your stock coil WITH the resistance wire. Sounds like you can feed 12v directly to the module, but it also says that overvoltage can overheat the module. The original Petronix Ignitor had a problem in that if you left the ignition switch on it could overheat and damage the module (no problem with Ignitor II). I would worry a little that that MIGHT be a problem with this one too, but that is just a guess. Might be just fine, I run the Ignitor II but I STILL keep my old points in the glove box of my boat, just in case