1989 5.7 mercruser Distributor issues

[Ngmedic]

Ok everyone thank you for this forum I know I can get the help I need .

So I am obviously still learning and have yet to learn my lesson so please bear with me as I now feel like this time i may act better in the future.

I bought a 1989 regal it has a 5.7 mercruser everything ran fine until it would get hot or I would push it rell har above 3800rpm it would start cutting out. I changed the water fuel filter and put fresh fuel in and still had the isse. I have a local mechanic that is very helpful and he said that I needed to put on a new cap and rotor. So I went and pulled the cap and broke 2 out of 4 bolts in the distributor ( I tried everything to keep them from breaking but it just happend). I was able to clear one out and it seemed to have threads left so I had 3 out of 4 bolts to gold the distributor down. I ended up having to changed the ignition control module as well because it was all corroded.

Now me today and me days ago are tow different people. Me 5 days ago said screw it and I put the distributor cap back on with 3 bolts 1 of which in pretty stripped out threads. Called it good .

I start and run it on muffs and it seems to be running fine at idol. But put it under a load and it spits and sputters and runs like crappy even backfires.

So I go and take the cap back off and the distributor is cracked around that stripped bolt .

New me is wondering a few things.

1. Does it sound like the issue is this cap that is not secured properly cauing it to run like crud.

2.I need a new distributor now so do I stay stock or is there a better replacement. Do you have any links? Will this mess the timing up how do I fix this problem.


3.Please understand i know i sound clueless. I am a Paramedic im a very stressed and working on projects is my relief. I want to learn and I know that it would be better and probably in the long run cheaper to hire someone but I have to do something outside of work. Please feel free to give any advice.

Last new me had learned to stop cutting corners once those bolts broke i should have probably looked at replacement after i could not get them out.


Thank you!

 

[alldodge]

Not knowing your motor serial number but using a 5.7 a 1989 and having 4 bolts on the cap, I'm assuming it has a TB4 distributor.

With the bolts broke, then the cap is not held in position correctly. Remove the cap, drill the studs out and retaped the holes. Can even use a larger bolt like I did when my bolt holes where stripped

If you want to replace the entire system I would suggest with Delco EST

 

[Rick Stephens]

I would add that my first thought after considering the unavoidable disty problems, your symptoms tell me your motor is running lean from a clogged up carburetor. Being an '89 it is hit or miss whether it has a fuel water separator, but if it does you should dump its contents into a clear glass container and see what other than gas is in there (don't reuse the filter though, replace with new). That will kind of right off tell you if you have a problem. Otherwise, a carburetor cleaning is what I would suggest, buy a kit, some carb cleaner and go to making things clean and to spec.