Electronic Ignition upgrade...bad experience

[Starcraft5834]

I have a 1987 3.0 GM 140.. bought Mallory espark conversion for the 4cyl. .. new points just put in for tune up,, ran very well, thought swap out would be a snap. My engine has resistor wire, purple/yellow running along side red, that was connected to coil+.. the mallory directions indicate connecting mallory wire red to coil+ with just the resistor wire,,-ie remove engine red (boost).. . called Mallory to confirm this... did just that,, engine would not start, tried to, no good.. I then connected the red boost to coil+, engine started and ran terrible, ie- out of time... Mallory said no timing necessary... that was not my findings.. I put the points plate back on and it ran great.. what did I learn? spend $20 year for points tune up kit.

 

[gm280]

Re: Electronic Ignition upgrade...bad experience

Live and learn all the time. However points don't need replaced yearly either. Think of points are nothing more then a mechanical switch, because that IS exactly what points are. So they really shouldn't need changed yearly and will last a lot longer if checked, cleaned and adjusted when needed. I too was going to change over to a more modern electronic ignition system and then read too many problems with them. So I'll use the cheap old school points. Works for me...

 

[MikDee]

Re: Electronic Ignition upgrade...bad experience

I have a 1987 3.0 GM 140.. bought Mallory espark conversion for the 4cyl. .. new points just put in for tune up,, ran very well, thought swap out would be a snap. My engine has resistor wire, purple/yellow running along side red, that was connected to coil+.. the mallory directions indicate connecting mallory wire red to coil+ with just the resistor wire,,-ie remove engine red (boost).. . called Mallory to confirm this... did just that,, engine would not start, tried to, no good.. I then connected the red boost to coil+, engine started and ran terrible, ie- out of time... Mallory said no timing necessary... that was not my findings.. I put the points plate back on and it ran great.. what did I learn? spend $20 year for points tune up kit.

The red wire is 12volts from the starter, it is only on for (boost) when cranking! The purple/yellow wire is a resistor from the key only powered when key is on (ignition on). If it was running at all, it was running off the resistor wire (the red wire is dead, once on run)!

IMO, the Mallory directions are wrong! You need to run a NEW full 12volt ign. on/off switched wire to the coil, for the engine to run right. Sometimes you can tap off the electric choke wire (if it's a full 12volts) it's an ign. on/off switched.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Electronic Ignition upgrade...bad experience

yea,,thanks for feedback gm.. this was a bummer.... this thing just flat out did not work!! lol.. live and learn.........

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Electronic Ignition upgrade...bad experience

Mik. Im just bagging it...engine runs perfectly as designed.. this taught me to leave well enough alone..... original engine design by GM works just fine.. points are very reliable, just need more attention.... this taught me,, if it aint broke, dont fix it...

 

[boozer1966]

Re: Electronic Ignition upgrade...bad experience

Mik. Im just bagging it...engine runs perfectly as designed.. this taught me to leave well enough alone..... original engine design by GM works just fine.. points are very reliable, just need more attention.... this taught me,, if it aint broke, dont fix it...

Sounds more like: "If it ain't broke, don't break it."

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Electronic Ignition upgrade...bad experience

:fencing::Lol. Good point