Distributor problems

J

josh molepske

New Member
Feb 27, 2011
3
nahma, MI
Boat Info
1982 Sea Ray cuddy cab, f-150 with a shorelander trailer.
Engines
350 chevy with alpha 1 out drive
I have a 1982 Sea Ray and i constantly have problems with the distributor. It is a points conversion and its pissing me off. I was wondering if i could **** can the current distributor and replace it with a proper electronic ignition distributor from a car. mind you the current one is the smaller model and a cars is significantly bigger.
 
Be CERTAIN that what ever distributor you install is made for a boat and is spark proof (so it can't cause an explosion)! Most automotive units are NOT.
 
you want the entire ignition system off a late 80's mercruser. You want the advance control unit and distributor with pick up coil. You may be able to transfer a pick up coil plate with your old breaker plate. The coil is external and the cap has a moisture absorbent paper in it. That is your Mercruser marine ign system

The wires, coil and rotor are just like a car. There's no magic flame proof stuff on any of it. The top of the cap and coil will carbon track and arc just like a car system will. The wires will also leak and put on a light show at night also just like a car.

A Mercruser shop manual has a lot of info in it on the spark advance control box as far as what rpm the timing comes in and how much advance is used.

Don't try to screw around with a system not specific for a Mercruser. The coil, wires and plugs need to all be a matched group. The advance unit is important. Some units don't bring in the advance till 2800 rpm or so after the boat is up on plane. The advance unit also will keep you from spark knocking which can take out your rod bearings.
 
I beg to differ with you Ron, but the distributors on cars are vented open to atmosphere whereas marine distributors (at least all I've ever worked on) have fine mesh screens on the vents to prevent spark propogation. True enough the wires can break down as can any wire on a boat, but thats of a lesser concern.
 
Scorpio: are you refering to a vent on the dist cap, or a vent on the distributor housing itself?
 
On the dist. body. On the Mallory unit I had in my last boat, it was located on the back side of the aluminum body facing the transom. I don't know about the Thunderbolt IV units I have now, too hard to see the base, especially with everything painted black.
If in fact they are the same as auto. dists. why didn't Merc use the Delco HEI setup in late 80's boats? Seems it would have been a better setup than the Thunderbolt IV thats in there now.
 
Scorpio: I worked in auto Dealerships (Ford) through the 80's. I do remember a vent on the 4 cyl 2300. Cant remember any on the V-8's... GM seemed to go straight to the HEI from there breaker point system. I'm sure there was no venting on the HEI. Just did a little research in my 64-71 Chilton’s manual and to me it doesn't look like GM vented there distributor caps on the automotive side. Ford did for some reason but they always had the "better idea".
Mercrusers thunderbolt system seems to be marine specific.

I just snow shoed out to my boat for a look and I believe you are correct Sir on the marine vented distributor cap. My 454 cap has a brass 90* threaded in the back side for some reason!
 
Aside from ozone, what are they venting? I've always wondered about those elbows, wouldn't they let moisture into the cap promoting corrosion?
 
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