Vintage Thunderbolt Ignition

[mikegorsch]

I've just purchased a very nice 1971 Mercury 500E for a 16'Glaspar resporation project. The motor looks and runs great, but people are telling me that the ignition on this vintage engine is prone to failure and expensive to replace, if you can find the parts. Is this true, and if it is, is there anything that I can do to extend the life of the module or other components? Where is the best place to find ignition parts?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Vintage Thunderbolt Ignition

I wouldn't call it troublesome its simplely a driver magneto that suppliers voltage to time and fire the system, some people don,t under stand the system. Since 1971 I think we have only repaired 3 or 4 not much trouble compared to other systems---Bob

 

[Laddies]

Re: Vintage Thunderbolt Ignition

Sorry Mike I didn't see the 2nd part, either Mercury or Rapain Electronic

 

[ScottyB315]

Re: Vintage Thunderbolt Ignition

Mike,<br /><br />I am in the process of replacing a bunch of ignition parts for an old 1970 9.8. The best deal I was able to find was from a guy on the internet at outboard exchange. He sold me all refurb parts but guarentees them for 90 days. Oh yea, and it cost me about a third of the brand new price.<br /><br />Scotty