Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

[bill1968]

I have a 91 four winns with a 5.7l OMC that has points. Will i benfit upgrading to eletronic? If so how do i find out if I have a shift interrupter? Paperwork with upgrade says something about adding resisters and diodes or something like that. It also says something about not using with a (i think) a "MRI" coil. If this is also true how do I tell if that is what i have and can I change to a diff coil. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me! So many smart people here!!!!

 

[wire2]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

Points work well when they're just installed and set properly. But as they wear, the point material migrates from one side to the other, (very slight DC arc welding going on every time the points open), leaving a crater on 1 side and a peak on the other. That changes the gap, plus the phenolic insulator riding on the cam slowly wears, changing the dwell.
You get the idea.

Electronic ignitions use a non contact device, commonly a magnetic sensor, to initiate the spark. There's no wear so it doesn't change with time. If EFI is used, the ECU can control the advance to suit different conditions, resulting in better efficiency.

I expect people here have been a bit reluctant to answer your questions as you sound unsure of what you're doing, "..resistors and diodes or something like that..".
Try to find someone local to you who is familiar with the electrics on a boat to help you. Safety is involved with this kind of project.

I'm familiar with older OMC's, not Cobras, but follow your shift cable to the engine; does it go to a plate with a small switch on it? That may be the interrupter. Press it while running, the engine should slow.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

To sum up a thread I had about this several months back,
Points are reliable but offer slightly less performance
Electronic ignition systems are more prone to failure on the water.

Even if you got maybe 2mph more speed out of an electronic ignition(I doubt you would get that much) is it worth worrying about or spending that much money on? Better off to buy a new prop.

I was considering an electric ignition until I sat back and thought about it.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

Points are more work, but are less likely to fail on the water......
There is no PM for an ignition sensor or amplifier........
Change your points every year or two & you will not have a problem....IMHO....​

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

Points are more work, but are less likely to fail on the water......
There is no PM for an ignition sensor or amplifier........
Change your points every year or two & you will not have a problem....IMHO....​

Good advise

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

When your electronic ignition fails out on the water, I doubt you would have a spare electronic pick-up. You would if you had a set of points.

Just a point to ponder.

 

[Robj]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

I went electronic on my Volvo, bought the Pertronix system. Runs great, idles smooth. Will probably buy one of those hot spark units as a back-up. To be safe, you should have a spare ballast resistor, points and condensor. That is probably the same cost as a hot spark system. With elecronic I also threw out the ballast resistor. Would never go back to points. Electronic is the way to go. Just my $0.02.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

On my 350, after 30 years ..
Dumped the Mallory FlatCap, put in a new complete Electronic system for under $300..(Pertronix won't help corroded flyweights/springs)

And the Q-Jet went with it...new Edelbrock 600cfm..
Diff?...like night and day

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

On my 350, after 30 years ..
Dumped the Mallory FlatCap, put in a new complete Electronic system for under $300..(Pertronix won't help corroded flyweights/springs)

And the Q-Jet went with it...new Edelbrock 600cfm..
Diff?...like night and day

How many times in 30 years did that Mallory leave you stranded and calling for a tow.

 

[Robj]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

Having recently bought a boat, I threw out the points and went electronic even before I put it in the water. I have not owned a boat equipped with points, both of mine are electronic. I have had problems with cars when they were equipped with points,they were a real pain. That is what convinced me to go electronic right off the bat. If points were so great, then manufacturers would still be building new engines equipped with points ignition systems. Sorry, but points ignition systems are old technology and the new technology simply works better.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

I use a Pertronics and love it.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

I debated, but went with Pertronix. I can tell you that the engine starts quicker and idles smoother than with the points.

Since you swap out the whole plate inside the distributor, I keep the points in my spare parts box on the boat.

I have belonged to Iboats for 3 years now and do not recall anyone who's system failed on the water like all the naysayers talk about. Another Urban legend.

 

[Rob454]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

Ive had points on my boat. Never had anythign else. My buddies keep telling me to switch to a electronic ignition. I dont think points are bad. How hard is it to change points? Ive never done it but I cant imagine bing too hard. So once a year you change points big deal. i can always keep a extra set of points in my boat. Ive seen my friends had problems with the electronic ignition. One of my buddies with a 460 ford had 3 different ones in 4 years. they woudl jsut all of the sudden stop working. And he got the whole distributor so it was a simple plug and play thing
Rob

 

[Robj]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

I can probably change my Pertronix system faster than it would take you to install and set the gap and dwell on a set of points. It can be changed in a matter of minutes, granted having a replacement unit is a little more expensive than a set of points and condensor, but not by that much. Probably the reason your friends failed is because he left the ignition on when the engine was not running.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[95fourwinnsv6]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

I just bought a 95 Four winns 190 Horizon 4.3 V6. It is in prefect shape I don't know how someone can keep a boat so prefect. He has kepted the boat and out drive in great shape. He never changed the Points, Wires, Dist. or spark plugs. The boat runs perfect. I do plan on changing all that stuff this winter but if these points lasted 18 years I be using points again. maybe change to electronic next years once I look into more.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

Dude, your replying to a 5 year old post. please read the forum rules.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Eletronic ingintion VS. Points which is better?

I dig my old 470's and the points. Bought a beat up snap-on dwell meter on flea bay for them for like 20bucks. Diggin the old school points.