electronic ignition

[drem312]

5.7L (350 ci) Delco Voyager EST Marine Electronic Distributor Kit.... I currently have the petronix style on the 350 5.7 305hp but i saw this set up and was wondering is it worth the 319 dollars to change...I havent installed the new rebuild yet and was looking to replace wires when I came across this set up any thoughs?????

 

[Aloysius]

Re: electronic ignition

5.7L (350 ci) Delco Voyager EST Marine Electronic Distributor Kit.... I currently have the petronix style on the 350 5.7 305hp but i saw this set up and was wondering is it worth the 319 dollars to change...I havent installed the new rebuild yet and was looking to replace wires when I came across this set up any thoughs?????

don't fix it if it ain't broke. Pertronix units work fine. There's no benefit worth $319 for changing it.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: electronic ignition

No kidding buy a spare Pertronix and stick it in the boat with the tools to replace if it worries you and still save money.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: electronic ignition

I was gonna change to that same kit. I have a Prestolite points dist now and although I think that the $319 is a good price for what it includes, nbow that I know how to change points and stuff I see no point in going electronic.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: electronic ignition

I was gonna change to that same kit. I have a Prestolite points dist now and although I think that the $319 is a good price for what it includes, nbow that I know how to change points and stuff I see no point in going electronic.

There's reason to go electronic, but it's not worth changing from one electronic dizzy to another. The Pertronix do not degrade with time like normal points will, so it's as if you are always running at peak dwell/gap. However, the only electronic benefit that Pertronix doesn't have is the electronic advance, since it still uses a mechanical advance system (which i fine since replacing springs takes 30 seconds and rarely fails).

 

[sethjon]

Re: electronic ignition

I was gonna change to that same kit. I have a Prestolite points dist now and although I think that the $319 is a good price for what it includes, nbow that I know how to change points and stuff I see no point in going electronic.

I agree with you 100%. I love pts and never thought eletronic gives anything that you can really feel.

 

[JimS123]

Re: electronic ignition

I agree with you 100%. I love pts and never thought eletronic gives anything that you can really feel.

I never thought it either...until I tried the Pertronics.

Change points, motor runs fine, maybe gets a little rough after 2 years, so change points again, then back to normal again, then slight deterioration over a few years, yada yada, repeat, repeat.

Or......install Pertronics, 12 years later still running perfect, nothing to change, no further adjustments, replace spark plugs every 3 years, but don't see any change when I do. Fuel economy no change.

I have a spare module just in case, probably wasted money but its there if I need it.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: electronic ignition

You can always carry a spare points and condenser and reinstall 'em!

 

[JimS123]

Re: electronic ignition

You can always carry a spare points and condenser and reinstall 'em!

That's quite true. And with points there WILL be a time you need the spare.

Redundancy and spare parts go without saying, regardless of what you have. But the Pertronics get replaced with 2 screws and no adjustments needed.

The advantage is that with points the runnability changes with time, while an electronic ignition stays constant.

 

[926bill]

Re: electronic ignition

I installed the pertronix on my 470 mercruiser this summer. Great upgrade. Seems to start a little easier with no points to worry about. Can't really tell any performance difference but the plugs seem to be staying cleaner. Stay with the pertronix.

BC

 

[Aloysius]

Re: electronic ignition

That's quite true. And with points there WILL be a time you need the spare.

Redundancy and spare parts go without saying, regardless of what you have. But the Pertronics get replaced with 2 screws and no adjustments needed.

The advantage is that with points the runnability changes with time, while an electronic ignition stays constant.

I've got pertronix on both my engines (SBF), and found them to be bulletproof. They do require full voltage to operate. Frankly, I don't carry a spare, but i've got 2 engines. I'm definitely not advocating points as the main ignition, just that if the budget affects the decision on spares, a spare points and condenser can be reinstalled in a pinch.

 

[sethjon]

Re: electronic ignition

That's quite true. And with points there WILL be a time you need the spare.

Redundancy and spare parts go without saying, regardless of what you have. But the Pertronics get replaced with 2 screws and no adjustments needed.

The advantage is that with points the runnability changes with time, while an electronic ignition stays constant.

Until it craps out.

 

[sethjon]

Re: electronic ignition

Amen to that. That just goes to show how good pts are.

 

[sethjon]

Re: electronic ignition

I installed the pertronix on my 470 mercruiser this summer. Great upgrade. Seems to start a little easier with no points to worry about. Can't really tell any performance difference but the plugs seem to be staying cleaner. Stay with the pertronix.

BC

But you can't see the problem with the plugs. Its intenal and thats why if you're smart you replace them each year.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: electronic ignition

I'll take Delco system over Pertronix any day as I have seen far more Pertronix failures compared to the EST.

 

[JimS123]

Re: electronic ignition

Until it craps out.

There are reports about Pertronics crapping out, but its usually somebody heard about it, not on their boat.

I do most of my own maintenance, but have my mechanic go over the whole boat once every 10 years or so. This year I had him over and wanted him to replace the Pertronics he put in 15 years ago, then keep the old one as a spare. He reluctantly did it, but said in the 20+ years he's been using them he's never had a failure.

On the other hand, the ONLY failure I EVER had in a boat that caused me to need a tow was due to points ignition, and back then I didn't have a spare.

I'm sure the Delco unit is fine. Not knocking them.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: electronic ignition

I've seen more "low voltage" supply problems TO the pertronix than pertronix problems themselves.