Distributor Question - '81 260 Merc

[Rick K]

Posted the following on another thread I started, but it somehow got burried... Anyhow:

Hoping someone can chime in and help me out. Now that Christmas shopping is done, I have enough left to buy my distributor.

Wondering which Mallory to go with. Oringinal Mallory/Merc part number is 91823A 3, and the Mallory's I've found are:

Points: 9-26105
Points with Tach Drive: 9-26200

Electronic: 9-26306
Electronic with Tach Drive: 9-26400

Personally, I don't care whether or not it's conventional or electronic (and know the pros n cons of each), but what's with the "tach drive"? I really want this thing to be plug 'n play with little modification to the wiring system.

The distributor I have now has just the one wire coming out of it, that attaches to the coil.

It's been so long since I've messed with any of this stuff, it's gettin' hard to remember!


Thanks
Rick​

 

[JoeyD]

the tach drive has an access hole where a cable connects to the distributor and spins a mechanical tachometer. mostly used in vintage automobiles. Definetly not desirable for a boat.

 

[Chief Alen]

hei marine

 

[300SR]

Rick K, I had the same engine and year. The bushings went on my dist. Get a new mallory. Problem solved. If I remember it was cheap!

 

[AKBASSKING]

As this is a marine application, make sure it is marine certified.......

 

[sdarc]

I did a quick look on Mallory's site and did not see any distributors for marine applications. I know they used to.