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Points to electronic ignition

H

hotrod80

New member
My 82' Mercruiser 260 has points and a coil . I was considering swapping them for either an HEI or i have a MSD ready to run points replacement distributor . Is this a bad idea as these are automotive distributors ? Both have vacuum advance , buy i have the lock out kit for the MSD and cane lock out the hei if needed .
 
Its what ever you want to do,, you will gain nothing from a stock engine going from points to hei or msd. I have no problem with points because I know how to set them up with a dwell. HEI is more simple and is idiot proof. I like msd on a high rpm engine hands down. But nothing is easier than slapping a hei dist. in something and the only wire you need is a swithched power soure to the dist.
 
Thanks , i guess i am more concerned with reliability . I also know how to set up points via dwell angle vs just gap . Just believe that electronic allows a hotter spark and better run caracteristics . Also concerned with the non marine parts issue and leaning towards the Delco kit or a dedicated marine HEI .
 
As someone who pulled hair out with my ignition problems on my big block, I WILL be scrapping the stock thunderbolt 3 setup and going with HEI shortly.
 
Back when I had an old I/O with points, I pulled the dizzy and put an automotive HEI in- loved...then was SHOWN the difference between Auto and marine dizzy's....there is a screen on the vent for spark arresting and in a closed engine bay open sparks are not good.....just my .02 You could prob mod an auto dizzy for marine use- but always put safety above cost!
 
fbpd227 said:
Back when I had an old I/O with points, I pulled the dizzy and put an automotive HEI in- loved...then was SHOWN the difference between Auto and marine dizzy's....there is a screen on the vent for spark arresting and in a closed engine bay open sparks are not good.....just my .02 You could prob mod an auto dizzy for marine use- but always put safety above cost!
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Well i guess this is my main concern (safety) I have both these automotive distributors that are brand new . DUI also makes a dedicated marine HEI that has all the coast guard ratings . I have a bilge vent for the motor compartment , but my main concern is to keep the ladies safe .

Did you lock out the vacuum advance and just use the mechanical springs and weights ? On the drag truck i Had both complete lock out with MSD to pull timing at start and i've run just mechanical with just enough spring to bring the weights in to start . Something like all the advance in by around 2600-2800 rpm .

P.S. I would have bought an enchanter just like yours if i could have found one as im really an outboard kinda guy . Your boat and mine have alot of similarities .
 
i have a thunderbolt IV complete setup for bbc with 5000 rpm limit and 27degrees of advance in the module and a thunderbolt V setup with a 4800 rpm limit and 24degrees of advance if youre interested
 
I would go with a used tbolt 4 hands down - one of the most reliable and bulletproof, moron proof (I can nmake it work, eh?) ignitions I've dealt with in any application...

I would get one with the right module though... there are a fair number of set-ups around for cheap money and the're easy to set up...
 
Along the lines of this subject, has anyone used DUI's HEI kt with no problems? Seems like a very simple set-up.
 
just buy a aftermaket performance HEI and the vac advance block off, the 2 wire connectors and roll on, they work awsome and very reliable..Rob
 
winter said:
Along the lines of this subject, has anyone used DUI's HEI kt with no problems? Seems like a very simple set-up.
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We have a marine HEI system that comes with a new HEI coil as well. It uses the tall style HEI cap. It is a pretty easy straight forward install if you have replaced distributors before.. They are fairly inexpensive too! :) Jamie / Lakeside
 
Lakeside Restorations said:
We have a marine HEI system that comes with a new HEI coil as well. It uses the tall style HEI cap. It is a pretty easy straight forward install if you have replaced distributors before.. They are fairly inexpensive too! :) Jamie / Lakeside
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Didn't you say they were DUI's when we spoke last? I haven't ran the Persuader for 2 weeks but intend to go 2 days next weekend with the current stock set-up. I'm already planning the next round of silly-mods for this winter, but that pink stripe may come before all!
 
winter said:
Didn't you say they were DUI's when we spoke last? I haven't ran the Persuader for 2 weeks but intend to go 2 days next weekend with the current stock set-up. I'm already planning the next round of silly-mods for this winter, but that pink stripe may come before all!
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Ahhh, the infamous pink stripe!!.. lol

No, I was talking about HEI, not DUI.. There is a dui set up, but it is not what we generally use or install. I have a GM HEI marine style kit that works quite well that has a HEI coil with it. IMO that is as good as you will get before you go to a full blown MSD kit with their high output marine coil set up..

You can give me a ring during the week if you want to chat about it further or look into it more.. :) Jamie / Lakeside 570.639.2628
 
You should be able to pick up just about any HEI set up and drop it in. There are three wires to connect, set the timming and you are on your way. There should be a gound wire, a power wire, and one hooked to the ignition. Take a look at Summit and Jegs, see what you can find.

I have one sitting on a shelf in the garage, if you were a bit closer you could try it out.
 
Sounds good Jamie. They are all HEI's I guess, just depends on the brand. Hard to beleive they are that cheap though! Yeah, the infamous pink stripe. Almost ashame to sand/paint it over, its getting a repuation and your wife has quite the fondness for it, lol
 
winter said:
Sounds good Jamie. They are all HEI's I guess, just depends on the brand. Hard to beleive they are that cheap though! Yeah, the infamous pink stripe. Almost ashame to sand/paint it over, its getting a repuation and your wife has quite the fondness for it, lol
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Yes, depending on where it comes from it can be done rather inexpensively.. However there are still non high out put systems out there and there are still places that offer points distributors.. :irked: :rof:



As far as the stripe, I dont know if I would call it a fondness.. lol

I know you have been thinking about changing it over for a while now.. Ya just need to pick a different color & have us change it this winter for you.. :D

Although, If you leave it alone as maybe it will come back in style again.. :D Like leg warmers, wide ties and record players. They say everything comes back in style if you give it time. Actually my wife said 2 out of those 3 things anyway are back in style now.. ?? :sick:

Maybe you already thought of that though, which would explain all of those Wham, Culture club, Flock of Sea gulls and Liberace tapes you had in there when you had the boat up here a little bit ago.. lol.. Just teasin.. ;)

Talk to ya soon, if ya don't shoot me first.. :) Jamie
 
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