Points to Electronic Ignition

[JVM225]

You may want to check and make sure that your Alternator is putting out enough amps at idle after you do the conversion and upgrade the coil.
The only side effect I noticed when I did the Petronix conversion and upgraded the coil in my classic muscle car was that at idle with the lights on there was a very slight flicker in the lights. It was really only noticeable when I turned on the dome light. This was caused because the new 40,000 volt coil was drawing more. I corrected the problem by having an Alternator rebuilder boost the output of my stock Alternator a bit. I took the precaution of running a wire from the back of the Alternator directly to the positive terminal of the battery just to make sure that any excess wouldn't go through the harness and cause any problems.
This may not be a problem on your boat, but if it is, it is a very easy fix.
It all sounds complicated, but it is very easy.
The benefits of the conversion and the hotter coil are well worth it.
You might be even better off just trying to locate a donor ignition from someplace. The electronic Distributor set up from a later boat will let you open the gap on your plugs for an even more efficient burn.
The Petronix system is good, but for some reason they recommend that you maintain the original gap on the plugs. It might be different for their newer systems or marine applications, but when I installed it in my car 8 or 9 years ago they made a point of saying that the gap on the plugs should stay the same.

 

[76SRV190]

I think I'll do the pointless up grade as well as it worked on every points type ignition I had on all my 60s muscle cars too. I will R&R the alternator and have a local shop rewind it to 140amp not only because it helps performance as you sytated, but also at all RPMS to have a burley alternator and an electronic ignition. Not to mention I have a 2000w stereo system almost finished in the 1976 SRV 190 too! For that Ill need some extra amperage too!

 

[ghuskin]

76srv190,

electronic is definately the way to go. I just did this. what a world of difference. you won't be disappointed.

 

[76SRV190]

76srv190,

electronic is definately the way to go. I just did this. what a world of difference. you won't be disappointed.

Which unit did you get? And did you do the coil and wires too? I think I am going to knowing what I do about the "system" of a distributor!

 

[doublenutz]

Hi,
I was looking over an old post where we were talking about the points to electronic ignition conversion kit.
You said," I did the
* Electronic Ignition Conversion, ALL Mallory V8 Distributors, ML-181
* Magnetic Electronic Distributor
* Better Coil "
I am getting ready to order my parts and was wondering about the Magnetic Electronic Distributor. Did you replace the whole distributor including the shaft and gear? Or was it just a new cap and/or rotor? Did you get it from Petronix? If you have a link to this part, it would help immensely!
I Appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Billy

I did this last year and have not regretted this upgrade yet:smt038. Unfortunately, I did not oder it online so I do not have a link to the part numbers, however, as far as I can recall it did not involve replacing the shaft but I do remember replacing cap, coil, etc. It did not take very long nor was it super difficult. :thumbsup:

 

[BillyT0020]

I did this last year and have not regretted this upgrade yet:smt038. Unfortunately, I did not oder it online so I do not have a link to the part numbers, however, as far as I can recall it did not involve replacing the shaft but I do remember replacing cap, coil, etc. It did not take very long nor was it super difficult. :thumbsup:

Thanks! Thats kind of what I was thinking but got confused when reading over what you actually ordered. I just figured if I was going to replace the entire distributor that getting the Mallor all inclusive full electronic distributor would be the way to go but its also comes with a 400 dollar price tag. It looks like if I go with the ignitor setup ML-181, the 40K coil and a new cap it would be about 150.
Thanks again.

 

[jffacets]

I have a conversion from napa on my twin 2008 repower, 350's, 255hp. I think they are great and no more messing around.

 

[KRB64]

I have a conversion from napa on my twin 2008 repower, 350's, 255hp. I think they are great and no more messing around.

You don't happen to have the part numbers do you?

 

[ghuskin]

I used the replacement made by Pertronix. Fit right in, couple of wires, presto!

 

[jsenske1]

Stupid question....How do you tell which distrubuter you have?? I have a 79 with 260 merc as well. Looked for a stamp or name plate but nothing. I want to upgrade but need to know what i have first.

 

[doublenutz]

Stupid question....How do you tell which distrubuter you have?? I have a 79 with 260 merc as well. Looked for a stamp or name plate but nothing. I want to upgrade but need to know what i have first.

Don't worry about what type of distributor you currently have... order the new parts that match the engine and not the engines old parts.:grin:

 

[jitts3]

Stupid question....How do you tell which distrubuter you have?? I have a 79 with 260 merc as well. Looked for a stamp or name plate but nothing. I want to upgrade but need to know what i have first.

If your converting from points to electronic you'll be changing the whole distributer. Just need to know what engine you have.

 

[KRB64]

Doublenutz, that blue film hull still looks sharp.

 

[BillyT0020]

If your converting from points to electronic you'll be changing the whole distributer. Just need to know what engine you have.

Actually if your doing the Petronix conversion your not changing the whole distributor. It replaces the points inside your distributor cap and wires to the coil. Everything else stays.

 

[BillyT0020]

Don't worry about what type of distributor you currently have... order the new parts that match the engine and not the engines old parts.:grin:

Yeah I agree, the blue hull looks sweet! Is that a wrap? Very nice. Did you add the cleat on your pulpit? Im thinking about doing the same thing with a mooring bit. Did you reinforce the underside with glassed in plywood? Did you use the holes from the pulpit mounts or drill new ones?

 

[doublenutz]

Yeah I agree, the blue hull looks sweet! Is that a wrap? Very nice. Did you add the cleat on your pulpit? Im thinking about doing the same thing with a mooring bit. Did you reinforce the underside with glassed in plywood? Did you use the holes from the pulpit mounts or drill new ones?

Thanks, Yes it is a Marine Wrap and it still gets regular onlookers:wow: upclose and asking. Most think it is a gel coat until I explain what a Marine Wrap is.

The cleat on the pulpit came on the boat when I purchased it and it is plywood underside.