Electronic Ignition

Don't get one of the conversion kits, such as ignitor. I've used 3 different makes and they all worked for about 20 hours before becoming unreliable.

Just last week I installed a DUI from Performancedistributor.com. Posted on here before ordering asking if it was anything good. Everyone said it was. I installed it last week and so far has been great. I have the 350 instead of 351 but they have models for the ford too.

Dan,
What are you expecting out of the EI? I went 28 years on a point set on my Y block. Nothing wrong with that!! Have you done engine mods and are turning a higher RPM?

theshadowconspiracy wrote: For reliability . I don't trust the points. I really don't want to be "that guy" being towed back from the sand bar when the boat won't fire. Points do wear, I'm amazed yours are 28 years old. I'm looking at the petronix. I just know my luck so I figured I would try some preventative maintainence.

Dan,
Sorry but it's well documented here that the point set is actually more reliable and the point I was trying to make. If you have a problem with a point set, all it takes is to clean them up with something like a finger nail file. That will get you back to the dock. With the EI conversion, if it goes out, you're SOL unless you have a spare on board!!

Do you have a problem setting the dwell?

What specifically don't you like about the point set????? Have you been listening to the "bling" about EI conversions? Do you know how many years a point set worked on the internal combustion engine? It was after the turn of the century after early ignition systems like the open contactor was phased out. That's over 100 years!!!!

Please tell us where or who is misinforming you. You haven't bee over on WB'r or WW have you?

Dan - Pertronix has the worst reputation of all of the kits, FWIW.

Thanks for all the input guys, the only reason I was thinking about going this route was my friend who owns a Malibu skier brought it up to me. He changed his boat over to EI and raved about it. My boat runs flawless, if you guys think keeping the points in it is the way to go; then I will absolutely take your excellent advice and keep the points in the boat. Should I get a spare set just in case?

Do you have a problem setting the dwell?

How do you set the dwell?

I am have alot of troubles with spark.I have tried a different coil,plug wires and spark plugs. Some cylinders have weak or no spark. I am going to get a new rotor and cap and go from there. The boat is a '82sn with a ford 351 PCM with original style ignition. Any input or advice is welcome!

I have a an Igniter II for a prestolite IBM7008 Dist. as well as a flamethrower II coil to go with it if you interested. Brand new never used. I did not listen to what the big Kahunas were saying to me, EI sucks. Stick with points unless you change out the whole works. points are the way of the world.

Pete, I've seen a Mallory (YL?) series electronic distributor, it's just a conventional distributor with the mallory EI conversion from factory... dont see why it would be superior to a conversion kit yet, besides the fact it's new and not 30 years worn.

8122pbrainard wrote: And I went 28 years on a point set. Never touched them, never had a starting problem, never had a performance problem so I never was stuck out on the lake! The point being is a point set is reliable and has been for years. A point set can be cleaned up out on the lake - You can't do that with a burnt out module so you need to carry a spare. Electronics can and are problematic.

You are right Keith, I am a backyard hack, Florida Cracker that works on " Marine equipment " underneath an oak tree. Also I am new to this forum you die hard grand pubas seem too so much want to control via your response . So sorry my " 1/2 a$$ advice " with link attached was so over the top for you.... So I will tell you how all the cars made it through the last 100 years with " breakers ".. Because the system is good but not perfect and it has   been proven over time. However technology seems to catch up to us. So sorry my advice on " automotive " equipment was so upsetting to you and this forum. I kind of thought the " marine equipment " you so highly speak of is based on the automotive technology and the progress over time. Hey thats fine you keep your " points" to yourself.. Hey I'm also sorry the hyperlink was not attached properly. I'll do my best to figure out how to do a proper link to this site. BTW what car company manufactures   a breakerless system these days? No more advice, and that is advice with a " c " just in case you did not know how to spell will be coming from me since the opinions on this forum will be scrutinized so strongly from the master that you are.. Hey BTW thanks for all the info from everyone regarding the rear main seal on the 82 nautiqe. Keep shooting that film in your camera...

Oh yea one more thing Pete I have heard you got 28 years on a points set . Thats awesome..... Bring your dingy down here for a month and see how your breakerless system works in the rain for a year..

surroundsound64 wrote: Don't get one of the conversion kits, such as ignitor. I've used 3 different makes and they all worked for about 20 hours before becoming unreliable

I have a theory on this,I think it's down to distributor grounding. My Dads Shamrock was going thru condencers like crazy.Being a center consol it was hard to work on. He finally decided to go with a pertronix so he pulled the distributor to make it easier and found the clamp and the base of the distributor rusty.He cleaned it up and also ran a seperate ground from the distributor body to the block, and then installed the pertronix unit.1100 hours later when he sold it,it was still running strong. He also carried the parts and tools to change back to the points should he have a failure. By the way I too am still running points,I like the retro look of my Mallory YL mechanical tach drive flatcap distributor.

I'm really glad for you that you know someone from the factory,wish I did. The next time you have trouble,why don't you ask them to help?

You will find that a lot of people around here will give you their best advice and the reasons for it. Pete has been one of foundation pilar to this website and his advice comes with a lot of experience. After all, everybody got their reason. They will give you the best advice but at the end you make your own decision. I was told the same thing about point and they have a strong valid point. At the end I wanted changed them anyways. Somebody recommended the Mallory E-Spark optical conversion. I have it for three years and I am extremely happy with it. Just my 2 cents. The DUI is perfect but it comes with a price. The Mallory conversion was around $100.

Pete,
    Don't worry about it. I know that without this website probably I won't be able to have a boat. People like you, Boat Dr, Tim, and others have helped me a lot. Everybody has different opinions but I think everybody offer a good solution after all, is free advice and really good. Even Chris, 79Nautique, helped me a lot even though he had a "STRONG" opinion sometimes. Those who know how, know, but clueless people like me this has been a gold mine of information and great friends. I was blown away the first time Boat Dr. would call me to help out and like him I had similar experience of people helping me. How about Luchog that is in the other end of the world and he is always helping. I dislike when people get a little personal. Is uneccessary IMO but I guess are entitle to comment.