mercruiser 888 compatability

[dentalguy]

Touchy subject don't meen to cause a commotion, we've determined its code already on the first page. Just trying to make logical sense of it. I wasn't referring to the code as hearsay I meant is there any documented evidence ie. Accidents, data or scientific tests to back these claims up. I believe there is something to it but by nature I sometimes question things when there is no evidence to back things up.

 

[achris]

You are correct.. I ran the boat without the advance and it ran really good.

Even if the vacuum advance mechanism was connected it's unlikely to be activated. The main reason for a vac adv is in an automotive scenario, when the throttle is backed off, the pressure inside a particular section of the carb venturi is reduced, this pulls the vac adv module and advances the spark timing. This can safely be achieved because the load on the engine is reduced ('cruising', not 'power'). An engine in a boat will never see this 'cruising' situation, the engine is always under load, 'power' mode. If you advance the spark while in this 'power' mode, it blows holes in the pistons...

I will look more into it I still have the Mallory boat distributor but it is malfunctioning which is why my mechanic told me to do hei now I'm second guessing that decision based on safety.

I'm guessing this mechanic is like the HEI, not MARINE rated, or he would not have told you to add an explosive device to your engine (see my comments in the previous post).

The Mallory was an absolute piece of junk Unfortunatly.

Then take it to an automotive electrician and have it rebuilt.

Reliability and function the hei is hands down the best but I dont think any of us thought about the safety differences. I personally think having the coil contained on the cap makes it safer

Actually makes it worst...

but the vaccine advance area is definitely a problem area. Does anyone have any solid proven evidence that this has caused harm other than codes and here say...out of curiosity? To me making sure your boat is fume free should be priority with ventilation and a good solid fuel line/system. Anyone use fume detectors if so do they work well?

In the first 25 years of owning my boat it never had a fume detector. :facepalm: My bad... When I went to renew the insurance a few years ago I was required (due to the age of the hull) to get a 'seaworthiness' certificate. I got a hold of the check list and one of the items required was a fume detector. As I had one that had been sitting on the shelf in the shed for a few years I throw that in. One of the function tests I did was to see how sensitive it was. I opened a small can of petrol and just blow a bit of vapour into the bilge. This thing let scream like there was no tomorrow! And it took quite a while for the vapours to dissipate enough for it to shut up. However, the one place it will not detect fumes is inside the engine crankcase. Your engine runs a mechanical fuel pump, and the only thing between the petrol in that pump and the oil in the crankcase is a couple of thin rubber diaphrams (assuming it's a marine pump and not another automotive substitute)... If petrol gets into the crankcase, through a ruptured diaphram and the vapours rise up into the distributor body, which they will, you have the best recipe for a violent explosion....

'Nough said....

Chris........

 

[achris]

Touchy subject don't meen to cause a commotion, we've determined its code already on the first page. Just trying to make logical sense of it. I wasn't referring to the code as hearsay I meant is there any documented evidence ie. Accidents, data or scientific tests to back these claims up. I believe there is something to it but by nature I sometimes question things when there is no evidence to back things up.

I work in the offshore oil and gas industry, and we have safety up to the ying-yang... It can be extremely annoying at times. Until you remember that most safety rules come about because someone has died or been seriously injured.

Same applies with marine safety codes, they are usually in place because an accident occurred, and the subsequent inquiry revealed a deficiency in that code, so it gets reinforced.

Finding a documented case of a distributor causing an explosion/fire will not be easy. The code has been in place a LONG time, and because of it, there is unlikely to be any instances on record that could be found on the interweb....

We still see boat fires today, but they are usually inboard ski type boats that someone has just pulled an old engine out of a car and dropped in a boat... Or a fire at a refuelling point.

Either way, I understand your questioning of it, but I doubt you'll find a case relating directly to the distributor, which means the code is doing its job.

Chris......

 

[dentalguy]

I will see about getting a refund on this distributor and replacing it no big deal really. it was just a novice mistake unfortunately there is not 1 boat mechanic in my area and the ones within 80 miles have crappy reputations really bad actually. everything else is code still the stock fuel pump etc. carb replacement is the exact same as the old. I'd appreciate it if I wasn't pegged as some guy purposefully cheaping out to put car parts on a boat. Actually it would have been cheaper to rebuild the Mallory but I was thinking about reliability on the water. being stuck in the middle of the lake with an engine that wont run because of crappy old technology was my concern at the time... also being stuck on the water is in and of itself a safety issue, on the bigger lakes that I boat on especially when random winds decide to blow in the high desert areas. it does run a hell of a lot better with hei though for what it's worth lol.

 

[Bondo]

but I was thinking about reliability on the water. being stuck in the middle of the lake with an engine that wont run because of crappy old technology was my concern at the time... also being stuck on the water is in and of itself a safety issue,

Ayuh,.... I understand,... this debate has been goin' on since the '70s,.....

One point(pun intended), always brought up by mechanical ignition guys is,.....

A points ignition system will get you home, with nothin' but a piece of sandpaper, a matchbook, 'n a screwdriver,.....
Clean the points with the sandpaper, 'n use the matchbook cover, 'n screwdriver to set the gap,....

An Electronic ignition is Dead, if any component fails,...

 

[dentalguy]

Ayuh,.... I understand,... this debate has been goin' on since the '70s,.....

One point(pun intended), always brought up by mechanical ignition guys is,.....

A points ignition system will get you home, with nothin' but a piece of sandpaper, a matchbook, 'n a screwdriver,.....
Clean the points with the sandpaper, 'n use the matchbook cover, 'n screwdriver to set the gap,....

An Electronic ignition is Dead, if any component fails,...

this is true lol

 

[dentalguy]

did any boat manufactures make boats with hei ignition at any time?

 

[alldodge]

did any boat manufactures make boats with hei ignition at any time?

IMO your thinking about this to hard. A HEI ignition is no better then a standard ignition. The HEI came out as a sales hype, if you have enough voltage to jump the spark gap with a good spark, you have enough, anything more is a waste

 

[achris]

.... I'd appreciate it if I wasn't pegged as some guy purposefully cheaping out to put car parts on a boat. Actually it would have been cheaper to rebuild the Mallory but I was thinking about reliability on the water. ....

That was not my thought. My thought was you were being guided by someone who doesn't know any better. You made the right choice by joining this forum

If you are having reliability issue with the points on the Mallory, then once it's fixed up and working, replace them with a Pertronix kit.

Chris........

 

[Bondo]

did any boat manufactures make boats with hei ignition at any time?

Boat, or Motor Manufacturers,.... Nope,.....

There is an outfit called DUI, Davis Unified Ignition, that builds marine Hei lookin' distributors, but Not GM Hei distributors,.....

 

[dentalguy]

Thanks guys whats the difference between a boat water pump and a automotive one?

 

[achris]

Marine pumps use a solid cast brass impeller and a stainless steel backing plate, also the shaft seal is different.

 

[dentalguy]

So is there anything special about a boat ignition coil or can those be automotive?

 

[achris]

So is there anything special about a boat ignition coil or can those be automotive?

As long as the internal resistance is correct, use an automotive one. As your wiring harness has a built-in resistance wire, look for a coil with around 1 ohm primary resistance... However, if you are going to be putting a Pertronix kit in, then do that and use a Pertronix coil as recommended for your engine and ignition kit.

Chris.....

 

[dentalguy]

As long as the internal resistance is correct, use an automotive one. As your wiring harness has a built-in resistance wire, look for a coil with around 1 ohm primary resistance... However, if you are going to be putting a Pertronix kit in, then do that and use a Pertronix coil as recommended for your engine and ignition kit.

Chris.....

Thanks!