Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
Marine vs auto ignition & plug wires >

Marine vs auto ignition & plug wires

Notices

Marine vs auto ignition & plug wires

Thread Tools
 
Old 03-29-2002, 08:36 PM
  #1  
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Charter Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
US1 Fountain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: L
Posts: 11,029
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default Marine vs auto ignition & plug wires

What exactly are the differences? Is it just a waterproof issue, or a spark issue like in starters and alt.? If just a waterproof issue, then I take it this will not be a conscern with Mr. Coast Gaurd?
(MSD & Crane systems)
Also

What is the deciding factor of going to the 8.5mm plug wires over 8.0mm?

Thanks
Jerry
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
US1 Fountain is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 08:57 PM
  #2  
Registered
 
Tinkerer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: ALTO, MI
Posts: 4,612
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Cool

With the ignition module it is waterprofing but with the distributer it is an ignition ( spark ) issue.
The bigger plug wires offer more insulation but with the water jacketed headers you don't really need the bigger wires just good ones.
Tinkerer is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 09:02 PM
  #3  
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Charter Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
US1 Fountain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: L
Posts: 11,029
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Thanks Buddy!

Going to use my Merc distrib either way, just didn't know about the boxes. So the wire sizing has more to do with heat insulation. 8.0mm it is then.
Jerry
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
US1 Fountain is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 09:35 PM
  #4  
Registered
 
kaamacat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cumming,GA,USA
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

US1.........MSD has the Heli-Core for about $50, #3123 in blue with a 90degree boot that are excellent. (In fact I am gonna put 2sets on mine next weekend). The also include a good cutting block/crimper for almost goof-proof cut-to-length. These are 8mm.
kaamacat is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 09:42 PM
  #5  
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Charter Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
US1 Fountain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: L
Posts: 11,029
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

A Pt #.......cool, thanks. I've looked at them thru Summit and there must be a 100 different chioces. gives me a headache. I only want 2 choices......red or blue.

PS
My motor is only a V-8, so I think I'll just order 1 set.
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
US1 Fountain is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 10:07 PM
  #6  
Registered
 
Tinkerer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: ALTO, MI
Posts: 4,612
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Cool

I like the TAYLOR spiral core wires -have used them for years and had no problems.

You said that you were going to use the merc dist. either way. Are you using it in place of your merc. ignition box or wired in after the merc box? The stock merc ignition curve is built into the box not the dist.like on the older cars. If you dont plan on using an ignition box with the curve inside than you have to use the aftermarket box between the stock box and the coil. There should be instructions hopw to do this or ask the manufacturer.

Last edited by Tinkerer; 03-29-2002 at 10:12 PM.
Tinkerer is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 10:29 PM
  #7  
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Charter Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
US1 Fountain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: L
Posts: 11,029
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Going to keep my stock Merc distrib. vs buying an MSD distrib.

Yes, I'm aware that the aftermarket igniton boxes will replace my stock ignition module.
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
US1 Fountain is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 10:41 PM
  #8  
Registered
 
Tinkerer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: ALTO, MI
Posts: 4,612
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Thumbs down

NO NO NO the aftermarket box WILL NOT replace your stock ignition module unless you buy one that has an ignition curve built in. If it doesn't you have to install it downstream of the stock module. The stock merc. distributor doesn't have any spark advance built into it. The advance is built into the module.
Tinkerer is offline  
Old 03-29-2002, 11:21 PM
  #9  
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Charter Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
US1 Fountain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: L
Posts: 11,029
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

The Crane marine unit does have a built in adjustable curve advance, in addition to a built in rev limit.

So if I go with MSD, I still need my module for the curve? Did not realize that.

Sounds like Crane is the way to go.
Thanks
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
US1 Fountain is offline  
Old 03-30-2002, 10:14 AM
  #10  
Registered
 
kaamacat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cumming,GA,USA
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

US1Fountain. FYI.......The reason I picked the 3123's (and you have to tell them you want the blue ones...for example), is that you cut these to length. My guess is if you were to order the ones for a BBC they would be too short because of the header systems on the marine applications. (and it does come with both types of dist caps, regular and hei).

Bob
kaamacat is offline  


Quick Reply: Marine vs auto ignition & plug wires


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.