Distributor Stuck - Yuck

Thanks HW

Pictures please!

Very cool boat, hope to get me one at some point... definitely been worked on though. Maybe get a bit more info on that carb... not stock and the gas line to it is not up to marine spec so it may also not be a marine unit.   What is wrong with your distributor now?   The dui is a good unit but with a boat like that you might want to consider going more towards a stock look as you replace things I wouldn't get to anal about it but if you are buying parts you might as well go in the direction that gives the greatest payback.

Recommended you change graphics from black to medium(gator) blue and make proper boat.   

Sure sounds like you have a wiring issue. Where's the ballast resistor?

It's mounted on the rear of the engine. There's a plate with the resistor, voltage regulator, and solenoid. I can't stand working on a dirty engine, so my first thing was to pressure wash everything, strip it down to the block, sand blast everything and paint it. This is what I started with.

It appears to be wired up per the schematic, 3 wires on one side and 1 on the other, colors also matching the schematic. I haven't checked voltage yet or resistance and thought about replacing the coil too. I just figured I might as well get everything clean looking before I get it running. I didn't want to get it running, then tear it apart for cleaning and painting.

What schematic? A lot could have happened since 1972. Better make sure it's a 12V ignition feed, choke and exciter as those 3 wires on one side of the resistor. Then coil feed out the other end.

Tim's diagram isn't entirely accurate since the choke and exciter don't always go directly on the resistor post. You could be just sharing the post for coil bypass instead of putting in a butt connector (swap eye from one side to the other).

Check your coil, it's probably fried.


If you're just going to be using the boat to cruise around I wouldn't drop the money on a DUI. They sure are nice and easily reversible to "stock" at any time.

The DUI was really more of a reliability thing for me. I've been boating for a long time and have always taken pride in not being stranded on the water. This thing has left me out there twice now. It is pricey though. Not sure why the RH is $75 more than the LH though.

TracyB wrote: The DUI was really more of a reliability thing for me. I've been boating for a long time and have always taken pride in not being stranded on the water. This thing has left me out there twice now. It is pricey though. Not sure why the RH is $75 more than the LH though.

Gear cost
Reuse your old gear.    Both distributors turn the same direction. CCW looking down from top.

Sorry for the delay guys, had a dreadful work conference at Lake Lanier Resorts in GA. Kids had fun but would have been nice to bring the boat. Anyways, I had the chance to stop at Performance Distributors in Memphis during the drive and they said the gears would match up fine. I'm going to order the DUI tomorrow and also take 8122pbrainard's advice and replace the carb with a marine Holley.....it's a $ setback but should pay out in the long run. I'll keep all original parts for the future if needed. GottaSki had mentioned something about the downstream fuel filter that I had not thought of and does make sense. Problem is, upon inspection it was full of rust. I replaced both filters, before and after fuel pump, and will monitor until I think the tank is clean and then replace the downstream line without the filter. I really think this is a combination of spark and fuel, I'm a maintenance manager and hate throwing parts at stuff to fix it, but I'm also ready to have some reliable boating time. I'll let you know how it turns out next week. Also have some restoration ideas / questions I'd like to throw out there once I get the thing running reliably. Thanks for all the info and help.

GottaSki wrote: The plastic, pressurized fuel filter also makes me twitch

TRBenj wrote: It is not appropriate to have a fuel filter after the pump.

I notice you did mention getting rid of the filter on the high pressure side of the pump but I suggest doing that ASAP before you have a big problem. I'd hate to see that great looking boat go up in smoke!

Changing the fluids today, parts should be in Tuesday. Pulled both heat exchangers, 1st was full of leaves.