amazing2926
New Member
I need to install new points on my mercruiser 260 HP motor. Any tips on this? not terribly mechanically sound, just giving it a shot because it didnt seem to difficult when I looked at it. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Points on Mercruiser 260 HP
- Thread starter amazing2926
- Start date
33ec
New Member
- Mar 31, 2010
- 86
- Boat Info
- twin detroit 671 TI Westerbeke 11kw 1987/2002. full tower. Saturn 11' inflatable
- Engines
- Detroit 2 strokes. rebuilt
Not very difficult if you know how to do it. It has been at least 20 years for me but I will tell what I remember. the way I would do it was as follows:-take the cap off(leave the wires attached ) and set it off to the side a little, have someone bump the starter until the points are in the most open position possible(at the high end of the distributor cam lobe) . once you have the old points in that posision, remover them and install the new points, gap them with a feeler guage. you will need to consult a chilton manual or similar manual for the proper gap setting. while you are in the area, it is a good time to rplace your cap, rotor, condensor and coil. I would also have a timing light and hand held tach available when doiong this job on points style ignithions so you can check and adjust the timing while you are working on the ignition system.
Good luck--If it were me, I would remove the points altogether and go to a pertronix or similar conversion and imporve the system. Jegs or Summit have them available . you will need to make sure thay are safe for marine appications.
Doug
Good luck--If it were me, I would remove the points altogether and go to a pertronix or similar conversion and imporve the system. Jegs or Summit have them available . you will need to make sure thay are safe for marine appications.
Doug
aqua*holic
New Member
Good advice. It costs more, but this is MUCH easier than actually setting the points, plus you will never have to touch it again.
BonBini
New Member
when you put a set a points in: First apply a spot of grease to the front side of the rubbing block. The idea is for the grease to lube the block and keep it from wearing down. Second is to set the dwell (the points gap). This is done with a dwell meter.
If it were me I would find a good working Mercruser Thunderbolt system.
If it were me I would find a good working Mercruser Thunderbolt system.
OldSkool
Active Member
- May 8, 2010
- 4,360
- Boat Info
- restored 1976 SRV200
- Engines
- 188 Mercruiser I/O
Use a feeler gauge and set the points .016 - .019. This is a good starting point. Dwell should be 25-30 degrees. Be careful not to drop the screw down inside the distributor. It's a pain in the butt to retrieve. Install a new rotor and cap. Mount the new cap onto the distributor and remove one wire at a time from the old cap and install it onto the new cap.
If you know how to use a hand held starter button then the job will be much easier. After installing the points, I spin the engine over with the cap off and watch that the points are arcing a good strong arc. Then I reinstall everything. Just make sure the bilge is ventilated well before doing this.
If you know how to use a hand held starter button then the job will be much easier. After installing the points, I spin the engine over with the cap off and watch that the points are arcing a good strong arc. Then I reinstall everything. Just make sure the bilge is ventilated well before doing this.
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moparmagician
New Member
Check out ebay. A company called hot spark makes a conversion kit, get rid of those points. Cost is about $59.00. Keep them around though just in case the electronic kit has issues, you can put points back in to get you going.