KC_Sundancer
Active Member
- Sep 8, 2009
- 1,341
- Boat Info
- 1985 270DA Sundancer,Simrad 4G Radar,Lowrance Gen2 GPS/Sonar/Structure Scan,F350 7.3l Diesel, tri-ax
- Engines
- twin Mercruiser 185R's (v6's) w/SE106 drives, "High Five" stainless props, Mercury 280 RIB w/9.9 Mer
Ignition Upgrade
A simple installation / conversion I chose to do for a $160 investment. Much less maintenance now to keep the engines "in tune".
This can be done with almost any points ignition system.
In our case we have a 1985 270DA with twin 185 Mercruisers (229 c.i.d. / 3.8 L Chervrolet V6's)
They are equiped with IBM 7018 Distributors.
This was done with Pertronix Electronic Ignition conversions.
Of course our distributors were not specifically listed in their books but they were very helpful in choosing the right set-up.
The IBM 7018 Distributors used a Pertronix 1563A Ignitor with a Pertronix 40611 Epoxy Coil.
I did need to be sure they were "even fire" distributors otherwise they could not help.
This is easily checked by removing the cap and rotor and looking at the "lobes" on the distributor shaft.
You should clearly see of they are evenly spaced or some are closer together than others.
Evenly spaced is "even fire".
(If Pics do not appear - refresh the web page)
A simple installation - unscrew the old points and condensor plate and remove.
Install the new ignition, connect the ground, coil and ignition wires.
Warm up the engine, set the timing - done.
Spark plug gap was increased .005"
This did need a modification in my case.
A 1/8" spacer plate (hidden under the ignitor plate) had to be fabricated out of aluminum to raise the Ignitor Sensor.
This was needed to align the pick-up with the magnets seen within the green area of the rotor in the photo above.
This was a super improvement in performance - most noticeable at low RPM.
Spark plugs are always a nice gold color when pulling them now during winterizing.
A simple installation / conversion I chose to do for a $160 investment. Much less maintenance now to keep the engines "in tune".
This can be done with almost any points ignition system.
In our case we have a 1985 270DA with twin 185 Mercruisers (229 c.i.d. / 3.8 L Chervrolet V6's)
They are equiped with IBM 7018 Distributors.
This was done with Pertronix Electronic Ignition conversions.
Of course our distributors were not specifically listed in their books but they were very helpful in choosing the right set-up.
The IBM 7018 Distributors used a Pertronix 1563A Ignitor with a Pertronix 40611 Epoxy Coil.
I did need to be sure they were "even fire" distributors otherwise they could not help.
This is easily checked by removing the cap and rotor and looking at the "lobes" on the distributor shaft.
You should clearly see of they are evenly spaced or some are closer together than others.
Evenly spaced is "even fire".
(If Pics do not appear - refresh the web page)
A simple installation - unscrew the old points and condensor plate and remove.
Install the new ignition, connect the ground, coil and ignition wires.
Warm up the engine, set the timing - done.
Spark plug gap was increased .005"
This did need a modification in my case.
A 1/8" spacer plate (hidden under the ignitor plate) had to be fabricated out of aluminum to raise the Ignitor Sensor.
This was needed to align the pick-up with the magnets seen within the green area of the rotor in the photo above.
This was a super improvement in performance - most noticeable at low RPM.
Spark plugs are always a nice gold color when pulling them now during winterizing.
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