is it bad to switch over to HEI

[skinny1965]

ok so I have a mid to late 70's hammond boat 350 that the block was cracked. I found a automotive 350 mid 70's that I will be using after swapping the cam . and I had a thought as to what would the down fall be to switching the boat over to hei rather than use the points distributor

 

[thumpar]

It is not marine rated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

BOOM! then the smoke would be seen for miles, and you will make the news. and since you installed a non J1171 compliant electrical component that was the source of ignition, you would be found at fault.

the only HEI style dizzy is made by DUI.

you can install a pertronics module or for $300 a real marine electronic dizzy from many sources.

 

[NHGuy]

OK, kinda dramatic there. But yes, it must be marine.

 

[achris]

ok so I have a mid to late 70's hammond boat 350 that the block was cracked. I found a automotive 350 mid 70's that I will be using after swapping the cam . and I had a thought as to what would the down fall be to switching the boat over to hei rather than use the points distributor

You are also going to need to change the head gaskets, core plugs and water pump. As already said, the automotive HEI is not marine rated. Bad idea.

 

[Scott Danforth]

OK, kinda dramatic there. But yes, it must be marine.

may be dramatic, however there is enough evidence of boat explosions from this vary same thing. we get 2-3 per year on the news locally

 

[thumpar]

Make sure you also use the externals from the marine engine. The last time I was inspected by the sheriff he told me about a boat that went boom a few weeks before because there was an auto alternator on it. There was a boy sitting in the back seat next to it.