BBC distributor upgrade
 

I have points in my 86 320 Baja with twin BBC, what is a affordable distributer upgrade that is easy to wire?

Look in the back of Hot Boat magazine, they have the conversion kits to upgrade electronic with your current distributors...

Whatever you decide keep the old parts or a spare new part on board with destructions for changing. Many of these aftermarket ignition parts are not as reliable as we would like.

DUI has a great replacement.

I have extreme boats and powerboat, but not hot boat, anyone have a link?

Agreed. Simple to install, wire, and probably the most reliale out there.
Look up "Performance Distributors" online.
Gary

I saw on a different thread they were marine but not coast gaurd approved, It was brought to my attention without a coast gaurd approval, insurance could deny a claim if they want to.

Call them and chexck. Mine came coast guard approved.

OK, I am also looking for stock merc stuff if anyone has upgraded distributors.

I was also thinking, I plan to leave the engines stock for a couple years, should I just keep using the points for now and spend the money somewhere else? Anyone still using the points?? They are 86 400's

Dump the points. They were great in about..ohh..1960 or so. Seriously old tech. Electronic dissy upgrades are inexpensive and worth every penny.


Darrell.

Just make sure if you do dump the points dist. that you make sure the purple (+) wire isnt a resistance wire. It has to be clean 12volts.

Crusader Marine has a Prestolite Chevrolet distributor that has breakerless ignition. Looks stock and Coast Guard approved.
I also have had good luck with Delco HEI if you have the room.
I adjust the advance curve and do not use the vacuum advance.

TB 4 with the V-6 Module. simple to install, very rarely fails, and its stock Merc stuff.

My $0.02
1) Your points distributor is not the original. So it was probably not tuned or maintained well.
2) A T bolt, DUI, MSD, etc distributor will give you no improvement over a well tuned points distributor. They will not need yearly maintainence though.
3) You wont need to improve your ignition unless you supercharge or go with a REALLY big cam.

So, in terms of options (by cost/engine).
1) Buy a condenser, points and a dwell meter. Set your dwell, then timing. ($30)
2) Buy an electronic conversion kit ($150) BTW, these seem to be somewhat unreliable.
3) Buy a DUI and replace distriutor. ($300)
4) Buy a T bolt distributor and module, replace distributor ($600).
5) Buy an aftermarket hi performance istributor & module from MSD, Crane, etc ($750)
Your top speed, acceleration, idle, etc will be the same with ay of these options on your engine.

Great break down...

My experience with #2 is that they do not work for vary long.
As I stated in my earlier post, I like option #3.
MSD also makes a "ready to run" dist like DUI for about $400.

Try these folks http://pertronix.com/index.htm if not them, they will most likely be able to direct you to someone...

Kind of how I am now looking at it, I guess if I plan to leave the engines alone right now the points will be fine, I just like the idea of electronic reliability, then again, the point ignition has been in this boat for 21 yrs!

I am going to do new points next weekend, i cannot go to the boat this weekend, how do I set the dwell? I had a friend help me last time on a different boat when I did new points.

Dui

If you decide to keep the points, make certain that the shaft bushing is not worn allowing your dwell to fluctuate. Some old points distributors are pretty sloppy in this department.

I will check that, thanks.

You set the points initially by gap. Get the timing and idle speed close to spec.
You'll need a dwell meter to set the points. About $25 at most auto parts stores. Hook it up as per instructions, then open the sliding door on the side of the distributor. There's an allen screw that sets the points gap and dwell. Tune it to specs. Now reset your timing, then your idle speed. Also check total timing if you've got a variable advance timing gun.
BTW, changing the dwell affects the timing so you have to set the dwell first.
BTW, I just pulled a completely corroded pickup and reluctor out of a 2 year old "hi performance" distributor this weekend. I wont say who the manufacturer was, but it rhymed with MSB. Makes points sound pretty good.
Gary

I don't remember ever seeing the old Delco points distributor with the window in a marine application, but in 21 years somebody could have changed it. I doubt if that automotive distributor was ever approved for marine use anyway, but I can be wrong about that too.

Do you have a Mallory or Prestolite distributor in that motor? You'll need to know to buy the correct points and condenser.

Not sure what distributor it is, they used both them in 86 stock? they look factory to me.

Take a picture of your distributor and I'll try to identify it for you.

I will not be at the boat until Friday night, I planned to get the points first, maybe I will buy for both if they have them and return the ones I don't use.

The Crane retro kit works very well for the old points type distributors. I have several friends with 80's model ski boats and have coverted 5 of them over to the Crane system. Easy start, no maintenance issues on all 5. The oldest one has been on the boat for 4 years.

Lust look up crane? any part numbers?

Should be a 3000-0226

may have to look into that over winter!

I have a (only one) Thunderbolt IV complete with 24deg modual. If interested let me know.
Thanks,
Jeff

how much?

OK, last weekend, I pulled caps, there was newer points, I reset them to .16 I checked the plugs and they were dark so I checked total timing, yep! no advance, well one will hit 12 degrees, they were at 5 degrees base, i set base at 9 degrees and both engines spun to 4900 even with no advance, I assume with some advance I will find some MPH top end.

I went to check the springs for the advance and when I went to take the distributor plate off a screw broke, it is fine but it is not coming apart, it is a little rusty, I will be buying new distributors this winter.

ANYONE HAVE A SET OF THUNDERBOLT DISTRIBUTORS AND BOXES LAYING AROUND??

Yes, Off of a 1998 Gen VI 7.4 Merc. Only (1) set-up and it is for sale. How much are you willing to pay?

well... how much are you willing to sell?? I know what I can buy new electronic distributors for, I also know how much i can do all MSD for, I would like a deal and still need to find the other to match, I am not really in any rush with a long winter coming, I know I will find deals over winter if I wait, shoot me a price and we will go from there, thanks, Tim