Magnetos Use

[John Leyden]

Thinking of using a Vertex Magnetos
Vertex Manufacturer Part Number:
701000
Of which has an internal Coil and Mechanical advance on both of my Gas aspirated 454's Marine Motors!
Has anyone have any thoughts on using them at all?
Meidong117 --Yaho or cell at five six 2 260 six five 2 five

Looks like maybe like I'm not going to use a Magneto because of the Danger!
Then Just what is the "Best Distributor" or option that I can Buy?
Please! Give Information that I need for both these newly "Gas Aspirated Engines" that are swinging a set of 4 Bladed 18x23 props!

 

[Ididntdoit]

if you want to kill yourself and everyone on board.....go for it - besides the obvious of not being ignition protected, you would have to change or rework your wiring harness....most ignition systems use 12v to produce spark - a mag produces AC power itself to generate spark - never run 12v to a mag, you will destroy it - you shut it down by grounding it out - thus the need to change out your ignition circuit and all shut downs....

 

[PlayDate]

Magnetos are used very successfully in outboards, airplanes, race cars and race boats. I haven't seen them used on cruisers probably due to the lack of ignition protection certification.

That said, magnetos are self contained and only require a switched ground wire to kill the ignition. Vertex makes a great device and was into sealing the distributor cap well before others did it. It is hard for me to imagine that a magneto is more likely to create a problem than a traditional high energy ignition system. My bigger concern would be the exposure to salt water environment and internal corrosion.

The reason I used them in race cars and race boats was simplicity. Kill switch off....engine starts. No issues with amplifiers, wiring, pickups etc. Once you switch to an ECM controlled engine......it is game over for simplicity.