Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

[Black as]

Hi Everyone at Iboats.com
I have a 1988 Bayliner Capri with a 350 chev and 4 barrel carburetor along with a prestolite distributor and came across this item on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Elec...1089047QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

Is this conversion any good as its says you also need to change your
Coil, must have 1.5 Ohms or more internal primary resistance. HS15HEC high-energy coil recommended

Is this the best way to go and will it affect my ESA module in operation or is it best to purchase a complete pointless distributor.

 

[Don S]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

Well, it's cheaper than anything else around and sold on ebay. How could you possibly go wrong.

 

[Black as]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

Being cheap Don doesn't mean its good, was wondering if anyone's tried this set up before and is it the BEST way to go.

 

[Don S]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

Guess you miss the sarcastic icon (roll eyes)

No, it's NOT the BEST way to go. It has never even been mentioned on this forum before.

 

[ButchC]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

Listen to Don. Try this http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/marine.htm

They will work with you if you can't figure out what to order. I would also recommend one of their coils to go with it. I changed to Pertronix 3 years ago and it has worked flawlessly.

Butch

 

[Black as]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

I did see the but if you don't ask you don't know.

Don, could you then recommend a replacement distributor for me please pointless preferably.

 

[Black as]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

Listen to Don. Try this http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/marine.htm

They will work with you if you can't figure out what to order. I would also recommend one of their coils to go with it. I changed to Pertronix 3 years ago and it has worked flawlessly.

Butch

No one said that I wasn't listening

 

[Don S]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

1988 Bayliner 2250 Capri with 350 chev and Cobra drive

Lucky for me, I can intrpret your signature line. The one word that says the most is the word "Cobra" which indicates you have an OMC setup of eithe a 86 to 89 vintage since you never know what month athe boat was build.
I also know that OMC also used an ESA system that your conversion has to be able to convert to and use, or have a way around it.

Personally, I would go to the Delco EST distributor, and rewire the shift interrupt system to work like Mercruiser. If you don't want to go that way, you end up with either the Pertronix that seems to work with the ESA system, but still uses the mechanical advance.

 

[Black as]

Re: Electronic Ignition 6-cyl, 8-Cyl Prestolite Distributor

Lucky for me, I can intrpret your signature line. The one word that says the most is the word "Cobra" which indicates you have an OMC setup of eithe a 86 to 89 vintage since you never know what month athe boat was build.
I also know that OMC also used an ESA system that your conversion has to be able to convert to and use, or have a way around it.

Personally, I would go to the Delco EST distributor, and rewire the shift interrupt system to work like Mercruiser. If you don't want to go that way, you end up with either the Pertronix that seems to work with the ESA system, but still uses the mechanical advance.

Thanks Don, tell me if I'm wrong but I read somewhere here that re-wiring the Mercruiser way can cause issues. And is there a distributor that doesn't use a mechanical advance. Reason being is my current point system set up the mechanical advance works o.k. for a few weeks and then starts sticking.

And I have to say Ive read a lot about the Cobra set up, but touch wood mine runs very nicely.