Are marine points different than auto

[palace]

OK Guys have been looking all over on this. Is there any difference if I use auto points and condensor? I have 1987, 3.0 OMC. Changing out points and tuning up this winter. Running good other wise. Chime in your voice matters.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

There is no such thing as marine grade points, you just have to make sure that the points you get fit your particular distributor. Marine distributors do not have vacuum advances but the points will have commonality with other auto distributors. Best for you however would be to convert your points to a Pertronix II ignitor.

 

[matt167]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

depends on the distributor I think. I know the points my dads 3.0L ( '73 140HP mercruiser ) took were basic Chevy 6cyl points IIRC. His was a Mercruiser 3.0L which is the same engine, but it might be different. In any case Napa does have a marine catalog, so they should be no issue anyway..

Just look up 1970 Chevy C10 with 250 and see if those points will work for you.

Ditto Pertonix. I put 1 in my still 6v '51 Chevy car and I get faster starts and a smoother idle. Runs down the road smoother too.

 

[Don S]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

Nothing special about the points them selves. The thing that makes the distributor marine is it's being "Igniton Protected" which means the sparks going on inside the distributor will not ignite gas fumes that could be in the bilge should you have a fuel leak.
If automotive points will fit your "Marine" distributor, they can be used with no problem at all.

 

[chconger]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

............The thing that makes the distributor marine is it's being "Igniton Protected" which means the sparks going on inside the distributor will not ignite gas fumes that could be in the bilge should you have a fuel leak.
.......

Hey Don....How does that work? Lots of arc and spark under the cap. What makes marine safe there?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

Hey Don....How does that work? Lots of arc and spark under the cap. What makes marine safe there?

Ayuh,.... Either screened, or elbowed vents,...

A spark can't pass a screen, 'n can't turn corners...

 

[chconger]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

Ayuh,.... Either screened, or elbowed vents,...

A spark can't pass a screen, 'n can't turn corners...

But cant gas fumes enter inside the cap? Not clear how that's prevented or why it would not be a problem if it happened?

 

[Don S]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

The distributors are "Ignition Protected" not "Explosion Proof"
Have a look at page 10 of this .pdf file. It explains it. http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/pdf/downloads/ELECTRICAL.pdf

 

[captk]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

I always used after market dist. parts ,even when I was a dealer, for delco 4 and 6 cly pt. fired distributors. The oem parts were junk. aluminum contacts in the cap and steel contacts on the rotor, even in fresh water they would fail way too soon. In salt I can only imagine.
and the price was the same go figure, best luck Bill

 

[Rich Novak]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

There is no such thing as marine grade points, you just have to make sure that the points you get fit your particular distributor. Marine distributors do not have vacuum advances but the points will have commonality with other auto distributors. Best for you however would be to convert your points to a Pertronix II ignitor.

Would that effect the electric shift, have a 72 sterndrive omc. I wanted to change to Pertronix but read , probably on this forum,that it effects the electric shift. yes or no ??

Thanks Rich

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

Would that effect the electric shift, have a 72 sterndrive omc. I wanted to change to Pertronix but read , probably on this forum,that it effects the electric shift. yes or no ??

Thanks Rich

It doesn't.

 

[Roto230]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

I read they have a work around diode and stuff for omc when putting in petronix there is a diagram for the wiring resistor and stuff, can't find the link but if you search it should pop up. I have an 89 2.3L and would need to do this for the ESA switch.

 

[palace]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

OK Guys have been looking all over on this. Is there any difference if I use auto points and condensor? I have 1987, 3.0 OMC. Changing out points and tuning up this winter. Running good other wise. Chime in your voice matters.

Hey guys, I ordered the Pertronix 91146A and Flame Thrower II coil. I will let you know how install goes. I have not read any problems or issues with ESA switch when you change over to electronic ignition. Any experience or thoughts?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

Yes there is a problem with the ESA when you switch to Pertronix. You either do the diode fix that Pertronix explains on their website or you buy the CDI ESA to replace the OMC one.

 

[palace]

Re: Are marine points different than auto

Yes there is a problem with the ESA when you switch to Pertronix. You either do the diode fix that Pertronix explains on their website or you buy the CDI ESA to replace the OMC one.

Hi bruce58,
I got the parts for $3 at Radio Shack yesterday, now waiting for Pertronix to arrive.