ProTec Ignition Swap

Hi Malcolm, I don't have an inductive timing light. My plan was to get the engine started and ask a local shop to set it on time. The spark on cil 1 was by just taking it off and crancking it.

I already did some checks regarding fuel, since I replaced the fuel filter this winter. And the spark plugs looked quited dry, despite the cranking i did. So I passed the filter, connecting the tube direct from tank to pump. However, no result.
I will look further in this direction. Thanks!

During the winter storage, I've swapped my ProTec for a DUI.
I bought the distributor and cables in the US from a guy who had it installed on his S.N. but sold the boat with the old set.




I followed the instructions in this post, but can't get the engine (PCM 5.8 HO)
to start this week (the first week that the boat is in the water).

Made the new connections, disconnected the EMS and Trigger plug
I found out the TDC in cilinder 1, using my finger (feeling the compression) and a small wooden stick and a wrench turning the cranck. Marked the distributor where the rotor was pointing at and made this cil 1. Checked the firing order and connected all plug cables.

After a couple of cranks, the voltage on the DUI dropped under 10,5 V, so I made a direct connection to the battery having 11,5 V on the cable connected to the DUI. When I remove a spark plug and crank, I see a clear spark. Gap is 0,05, plugs are new Motorcrafts from Skidim. Tried several distributor positions around the marked cil 1 position.

Any thoughts from you guys?
Many thanks in advance from Holland

backfoot100 wrote: My MSD cap script is facing straight fore/aft ]

Eddie,
You're as OCD with your distributor caps as you are with the rest of the boat! I love it!

Hmmm... I guess this is true now that I think about it.. I guess it was just dumb luck that the first two installations were at the same orientation.

Never really thought about it as everyone seemed to wind up with the dizzy in a similar position. Makes perfect sense to have it look different depending on the installation though.

Glad the write up helped.

Distributor cap position, wire position... There is no such thing as "normal position". Order, yes- position, no. It all depends on the orientation of the distributor when it was installed. There is no right or wrong (other than cosmetics).

Is that really the correct timing in that picture? That's quite a few degrees different from the norm.

I bought a used D.I.U. distributor and spark plug wires on Ebay.
The seller sold his SN and switched the distributor and manifold for the old parts.
Precaution on the ProTec on my '92 BFN with 5.8 HO.

With the help of this very useful instruction I will do the swap this spring.
The boat is in winter storage now.
Many thanks for posting it!

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37573&title=voltage-for-my-protec-swap

Link to further discussion on this subject. Specifically read the post I called GOTCHAS before you get too deep into this conversion.

Manifold discussion

Here's some more shots of ours. It's close, but it fit.

Hmm. I never had any clearance issues with our '92. It was close, but there was plenty of room.

Is the dizzy set so the rotor is pointing to cylinder 1 at TDC?

Take a pic looking down on the dizzy so we can see whats going on.

While installing the DUI I suggest that you read the voltage at P on the connector or at the 12.5 Amp breaker point 26 on the diagram. Per the DUI website it needs to be above 10.5Vdc while the engine is cranking for the DUI to operate correctly. I didn't mention this to JPASS when he installed his because I believe he had already beefed up his dash wiring so I assumed he was OK. If the voltage is below 10.5 then you will either need to beef up the dash wiring ( easy to do. positive side only not the grounds) or install a relay that switches the 12Vdc at the engine to the DUI and is controlled by the key switch voltage (which is what CC should have done in the first place for the Protec).

From DUI website:
If all of your connections check out good, then check your battery voltage as you are cranking the engine. Since the DUI is a high performance ignition system it requires more voltage than a standard ignition system. If your battery voltage drops below 10.5 volts, this is not enough power to get the distributor to fire. This condition can be due to a weak or old battery or you are using a hot wire that has a resistor in line. Use a volt meter to test the hot wire while someone else cranks the engine over. If the voltage drops below 10.5, check your battery. To make sure it is not the hot wire, run a temporary jumper wire directly from the positive side of the battery to the distributor. If the distributor fires using the jumper wire, run a new hot wire from your switched 12 volt source to the distributor.

Air206 wrote: Getting Ready to do this swap, just ordered from Performance Distributors. - got red (red is always fast) For the Barefoot, it's a Chevy 454......... Will Post Pics and variations. AWESOME write up!

Good to hear, life is too short for ProTec issues

GRACIAS.
Thanks for the confirmation.