Does this engine have points or electronic?

[alwhite00]

Not the best picture but maybe someone knows - Not sure on the year as it was a replacement when I bought the boat. I bought plugs for it so when I get it out of storage I can tune it up. Can you tell be looking at this picture if it has points? I'm guessing it does as it has the external coil but I never took it apart. Boat is in storage not near me so I can not look at it. It's a 260 Mercruiser.

Any help is appreceiated.

LK.

 

[garryowen]

electronic

you can see the "brain box" there. bolted to port exhaust riser across form the carb

 

[Larry]

As stated, this is electronic, I believe 1986 was the first year Merc went electronic on all there motors...

 

[CV-23]

Yep! It also has '88 or newer heads also! The electronic brain box is pre 1988...Mike.

 

[alwhite00]

Thanks a bunch for the info, Apreceiate it. The external coil was throwing me. Does adding a high output coil help anything?

LK

 

[wish2fish]

My old 1989 160BR had a distributor and points inside. Are we talking about something else?

 

[Larry]

Yep! It also has '88 or newer heads also! The electronic brain box is pre 1988...Mike.

Good pick up!

 

[Larry]

My old 1989 160BR had a distributor and points inside. Are we talking about something else?

I think the 4 cylinder motors, 3.7 and the 3.0 maybe were still points then... I know for sure the larger "V" motors were electronic by 1986...

 

[garryowen]

Thanks a bunch for the info, Apreceiate it. The external coil was throwing me. Does adding a high output coil help anything?

LK

high output coil wouldn't hurt. would do the following first though
a new rotor, and distributer cap, and new plug wires. that is unless you know for sure how old the ones you have are.

 

[Jim M]

Al-are you sure you want to do the work yourself????

 

[alwhite00]

Al-are you sure you want to do the work yourself????

I normally do, Something I should look out for?

LK

 

[CV-23]

I normally do, Something I should look out for?

LK

Just a Chevy V8 with marine parts! Go for it....when I get stumped I go to the net and or a fulltime mechanic, Mike.

 

[alwhite00]

Is there anything marine specific about the coil?

LK

 

[Summer Fun II]

Yep, NAPA coil $18 bucks & the marina store coil $40 bucks for the same thing. :smt021

 

[alwhite00]

The reason I am asking is that I have a NOS Accel Super Coil I would like to use for something & thought this might be a good spot for it. I have not had a vehicle with an external in 20 years.

LK

 

[garryowen]

in that case, you might as well get some use out of it