any one running locked out timing or everyoine using mechanical advance?

merc uses a ignition with a module for advance,the v8 module does not give as much advance as the v6 unit.for a stock or mildly modded 454,its hard to beat the merc ig system.

you took 292's out of the boat? that ign won't work. pass car HEI's are ok if you recurve mech advance. a cheap, easy to wire alternative. but the Thunderbolts are better if you can get a pair...

Ditto on the Merc ignition it is some hard to beat, I would not run anything else on mine. You can add a hot coil like I did and increase your gap to get get a better burn.

+2 Merc you don't hear of many breaking down.
The people who are running locked out are on blower engines.
Like Mike said, if you want more initial advance use a V6 module. I always set the max timing and don't care were the base timing falls.

DUI makes a marine mechanical advance, I have used this and it works great.

I also would never consider putting an auto HEI in a boat.
After it goes boom it would not take an insurance man to long to see the auto part.

Good Luck.

I'm running an MSD system and found a 10 degree advance bushing, I run 34 degrees total. I always set timing at 3500 rpm for total. I'm also thinking about locking mine out to help out the idle, my cam is pretty rough at idle.

yep took the 292s out working on the 454,s im using mallory unilites.. as i aquired both of them for this project long ago.. i remeber on my race car the stock springs on the mallory wouldnt advance fully until 6500 rpm so i know ill have to buy spring kits if i keep the advance..

I have MSD with it locked out at 34 degress.

I've been thinking about doing the same, I'm just concerned about detonation while getting on plane. What is the weight and power of your boat? What compression and cam are you running? How hard does it start when hot?