Distributor Gear - which to use

[A4x4junky]

Hello all,

I have a 97 Bayliner Capri with 5.7 engine (replaced and of unknown year) that had a points distributor in it.

I found a distributor from an 84 Chevy pickup (HEI) I would like to put in ... simple to wire and get rid of points.

How can I verify compatibility of distributor gears? I dont know for sure how to tell what material either of them are and dont want to cause myself more grief.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[Scott Danforth]

You need a marine distributor, not an automotive HEI distributor. You will create an ignition source and cause an explosion

 

[Scott Danforth]

By the way the motor that is in your boat if it had points is earlier than 1982

I would personally look for a complete 1996 or newer motor and yank out that old motor

 

[achris]

....I found a distributor from an 84 Chevy pickup (HEI) I would like to put in ......

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no....

Anything for an electrical or fuel system that goes into a boat MUST be marine rated. If it doesn't have SAE-J1171 on it, it needs to stay on the outside.

Chris.......

 

[A4x4junky]

Thanks for the heads up.
I knew there were marine rated parts, but thought that was just for the life of the part.

Warnings well received and again with thanks.

Oh, and Ill dump the car alternator too

Anthony

 

[achris]

... but thought that was just for the life of the part....

It more for the life of the vessel occupants. :boom:

 

[Scott Danforth]

its to prevent this

 

[kenny nunez]

One other thing to be careful about is the material the distributor gear is made of. If you engine has a steel roller cam then a cast iron distributor gear will self destruct. A bronze gear like Mallory uses is a safe bet if you are in doubt of which cam you have.

 

[scoflaw]

Use the gear on the old diz

 

[Bt Doctur]

See, the way it works to be safe is to use a marine rated item or you could just change your screen name to "Darwin"
when you become a "Darwin Award Candidate or a Darwin Award Winner" we`ll know who you used to be

 

[Scott Danforth]

One other thing to be careful about is the material the distributor gear is made of. If you engine has a steel roller cam then a cast iron distributor gear will self destruct. A bronze gear like Mallory uses is a safe bet if you are in doubt of which cam you have.

Kenny,

if the motor was replaced with one that had a points dizzy, its at least 2 design generations prior to roller cams

if its an automotive motor, its 1974 or older. if it was a marine motor its 1981 or older. roller cams came out in 1988 for the automotive guys (boats still got flat tappets), and not mainstream until 1996 for the V8's in boats