backfiring @ high RPM’s

A friend's '83 Ski-Nautique Correct Craft has recently developed a nasty propensity to backfire and pop above 3200 RPM's. If you back off the throttle slightly, it gets worse, and starts popping louder and more frequently. You have to throttle back to about 1500 RPM's, and she runs smooth again, and can be revved back up to 3200 RPM's with no problems. There is evidence of some slight pinging that develops at about 3200 RPM's, just before the onset of the popping. He regularly runs 92 octane fuel in the boat. I suspect it's a timing issue. Boat has new points and condensor. What should initial timing be set for? Heard somewhere that it might be 6 degrees BTDC, but just want to confirm. Also, is there a reasonably priced means of converting to electronic ignition? Will an automotive Electronic Iginition system work on a PCM engine? Thanks!

If this was an auto I would suggest the cam timing chain jumped a link. But, I'm new to the marine world so I will keep quite on this.

I concur with 79Nautique, make certain BOTH the heavy and light advance springs are in place, and the mechanism is operating smoothly.

Good to hear, even better to hear he didn't frag a piston or valve with the timing like that.

My friend desparately wants to upgrade to electronic ignition, but doesn't want to pay $500 to do it. There seems to be no source of reasonably priced electronic ignition upgrades for this motor...which frankly, strikes me as odd, seeing as how it's a fairly common Ford engine. I'm a Mopar guy, and I think this is the first instance where I've found a part cheaper in the Mopar world than in the Ford/Chevy realm. Mopar performance sells a complete swap kit for $180. Perhaps it's the "Marine Engine" spectre that makes them so expensive? I don't know. Would appreciate any thoughts you all might have on finding a kit for this motor that won't break the bank.

Recently had some issues myself and I wonder if it is advisable to upgrade to a new distributor. There is a mallory with electronic ignition for $200 available from Summit Racing- not marine. The pins that the advance weights sit on were very loose and I peened them down to tighten them up. This advance still is not quite perfect.

I'd stick to the conversion kit I did my 66 Barracuda after the rebuild. Just cleaned the machanical advance added the Pertornix module and it started every time.