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Black Baja 08-16-2015 07:42 AM

Merc distributor with Daytona Sensors box/ coil. Not cheap but you will not have to get towed in because of an ignition failure. Or just run the Merc ignition. DUI distributors aren't bad. Msd is the kiss of death.

vintage chromoly 08-16-2015 07:47 AM

MSD=might suddenly die!
Complete garbage!

Oh wait, spray them with goop and drill holes in the caps and then they are super. :bong:

Tmaddox4x4 08-16-2015 08:44 AM

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check out the DUI. I'm still looking for a cam recommendation. I might give Howards a call, that who I used for my other motors in the past.

BBCLiberator 08-16-2015 09:07 AM

PM me, I will send you my set-up. Made a little more than what you were asking, and my budget was identical.

Full Force 08-16-2015 09:09 AM

I have had almost no issues with MSD in boats or cars over 20 years maybe 2 failures one box and a coil... Probably 30 cars and 3 boats

phragle 08-16-2015 09:26 AM


Originally Posted by Full Force (Post 4343281)
I have had almost no issues with MSD in boats or cars over 20 years maybe 2 failures one box and a coil... Probably 30 cars and 3 boats

That my friends..... Is how you jinx yourself.......

Black Baja 08-16-2015 10:00 AM

i have pulled brand new MSD boxes out of the box installed and motor wouldn't start (expensive boxes) called MSD got a replacement and the thing starts right up. Hmmm. Pro Mod car would go through 3-4 boxes a year always had to have a spare. Last year I went through 2 new MSD coils on the boat. I have an old 7ml-2 box that has been used and abused. I'm sure has gotten wet time and time again and will not die. The older MSD stuff was ok the newer stuff (automotive or Marine) is total junk. I'm done with all the MSD headaches.

MILD THUNDER 08-16-2015 12:06 PM


Originally Posted by Tmaddox4x4 (Post 4343250)
Ok so here's the plan. I spoke with my finance manager, a.k.a "the wife" and got the go ahead to tear them down. If the current heads are in good shape going clean them up and reuse. If they are cracked I will be replacing with Elderbrock marine heads. It currently has Thumper Power manifolds and I'd like to keep to save some cost. I plan on sending the rotating assemblies out for balanceing and inspection. Hopefully I can rerun the pistons but not a big deal if not. My goal is 500HP at not rev past 5,200. I will be converting to roller cam and replacing the crane gold lifters. Probably run a air gap intake and definitely going MSD distributor. My budget is 5k per motor, but any money I can save here will be spent on other updates, gauges, interior, paint and probably rebuild the transmissions. So my main question is what cam to run? I don't see blowers in the future, just don't want to deal with them.

Be careful. Sometimes, by the time you go thru the original heads properly, the bill can add up fast. As far as the edelbrock marine heads, I wouldn't. Reason is, they really don't flow much better than what you have. For a couple bucks more, you can get into a better flowing and better designed head. Is there any reason you want to keep the RPM below 5200? With your bottom ends, a good valvetrain, 5500-5700 is nothing. If your pistons are in good shape, going to a head like the 265 AFR oval, will bump the compression up with its smaller chambers. Its a win win, better flowing head, with a compression increase.

As far as blowers go, I've had them almost 10 years now, different styles, etc. I have never had a blower related issue keep me from boating. The guys who have "issues" with them, are those who listen to the wrong people, and set things up wrong.

Full Force 08-16-2015 12:44 PM

Everything breaks..... Everything...


Originally Posted by phragle (Post 4343293)
That my friends..... Is how you jinx yourself.......


Tmaddox4x4 08-16-2015 01:59 PM


Originally Posted by MILD THUNDER (Post 4343346)
Be careful. Sometimes, by the time you go thru the original heads properly, the bill can add up fast. As far as the edelbrock marine heads, I wouldn't. Reason is, they really don't flow much better than what you have. For a couple bucks more, you can get into a better flowing and better designed head. Is there any reason you want to keep the RPM below 5200? With your bottom ends, a good valvetrain, 5500-5700 is nothing. If your pistons are in good shape, going to a head like the 265 AFR oval, will bump the compression up with its smaller chambers. Its a win win, better flowing head, with a compression increase.

As far as blowers go, I've had them almost 10 years now, different styles, etc. I have never had a blower related issue keep me from boating. The guys who have "issues" with them, are those who listen to the wrong people, and set things up wrong.


No real reason to limit RPM'S other that I still want good low end power. I can get on plane and keep it under 20 mph. I do pull wake boards and such and really don't want to lose that ability building a motor that doesn't make power down low. I'm pretty sure I can't fit blowers under my hatch without some serious mods and the wife wouldn't be happy if I took away her tanning bed. If the stock heads only need a grand or so I'll rerun them. Still saves me 4k for other things. My total budget is 15k for motors, paint, and interior. I'll do everything myself but interior. The edelbrock heads looked like a simple option, but I'm not brand loyal and a few more bucks for better heads is not a problem. Biggest thing I want to keep it simple, take the time to do it right but nothing exotic or over complicated.


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