New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

[LAC_STS]

I am supposed to pick up my new engine Friday and called the place to make sure it would be ready today.

The cs guy said that after speaking to one of the mech he said that the OMCs use a different ignition system that does something when you shift into gear. I forget what he said but I thought it was shut off some cylinders or something.


He said he will give me a new cap and wires but said i should use the rest of the ignition system of what i got now.

He wants me to send him pics of mine tom. He wants to know if I have a prestolyte one.


Is this bs? How do I tell if I have a prestolyte? Should I make him give me a discount? Exacty what parts is he shorting me if i re use my own IGN system minus cap and wires?


Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

Most new engines don't come with distributors unless it was specified in your deal.

If you have an OMC Cobra your ignition system requires an ESA which stumbles the engine when you shift out of gear.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

This engine is a semi complete deal. It comes with manifolds, risers, intake manidfold, carb, etc. All I was supposed to have to re use is my flywheel and bolt on stuff like pullys, starter, alt, etc.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

Is the ESA a module or something separate from the dist.?

What would you guys do?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

Its a module seperate from the distributor. The switches that activate it live on the assembly where the two shift cables meet.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

What would you guys do?

Ayuh,... Exactly what the customer service guy said....

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

Yea but what I was asking too was that the guy told me that I wouldnt have to reuse any part of my ignition.

It alo says on my invoice that a new electronic ignition is included.


I did some reading on this last night and found out that the newer style ESA's are compatible with electronic ign, and the Prestolite makes a kit to be able to use your old style ESA with an electronic ignition.


So I am thinking of asking him to give me an electronic igniton anyway so that I can buy a new ESA sometime.


Also I was having a problem where EVERY time I would shift into or out of gear the engine would go completely quite for about 2 seconds. It didnt just slow down the RPMs went down to 0.

So it would stall sometimes like when I was pulling up to the dock or something. Really big PITA. Now Im wondering if it was the ESA.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

So it would stall sometimes like when I was pulling up to the dock or something. Really big PITA. Now Im wondering if it was the ESA.

very possible but its probably not the ESA's fault, probably a bad lower shift cable which kept it engaged.

The newer ESA modules are not compatible with all electronic ignitions so keep that in mind. If you go with a Delco EST distributor, for example, you would have to rig up the switches to ground out the distributor like a Mercruiser type system and just get rid of the ESA.

If it were my boat, I would keep the old distributor and points.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

What happens if I get rid of the ESA?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

You won't be able to shift out of gear if you don't have something that disables the ignition during the shift.

 

[full stringer]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

the e s a is not technically a part of the ignition therfore the mechanic is wrong it is an electrical module that operates off the plastic lobes on the shift converters positioning. when you throttle back the micro switches rub on these lobes in both forward or reverse the micro switch partially closes sending a closed circut relay to the esa module thus causing the esa module to cut voltage to the coil the motor is now firing on only half of its cylinders causing a stumble and thus alowing pressure off of the shift cable this happens only for a second if your motor is dying then it could be as simple as a adjustment on the shift converter and yes pertronix does make a conversion from points to electronic ignition however ther is a different resistor you must install but that aint nothing. see ya, good boating!!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

sending a closed circut relay to the esa module thus causing the esa module to cut voltage to the coil the motor is now firing on only half of its cylinders causing a stumble and thus alowing pressure off of the shift cable this happens only for a second if your motor is dying!!!

Actually, the ESA grounds the ground side of the coil...it does not cut power.

 

[full stringer]

Re: New engine place says special IGN sys on OMC???

thats true it grounds it causing an intermittent stumbling lack of fire to plugs since he didn't mention hard shifting out of gear i think it could be adjusted but i always hope for the best and expect the worst lol