Replace MSD Ignition with Self-Contained HEI Distributor

[itxone]

Hi All,

I just purchased an '87 Cobalt project boat with the Merc 260 which the previous owner parked after having trouble with the MSD ignition. The seller of the boat (friend of the owner) suggested replacing it with a "self-contained" HEI distributor but I'm not entirely sure what a "self-contained" distributor consists of. I think either of these would work?

https://www.jegs.com/i/MSD-Ignition/121/83606/10002/-1
https://www.jegs.com/i/Pertronix/751/D200811/10002/-1

 

[alldodge]

Howdy
Personally I would use either one of those, I would go with AC Delco EST kit

 

[itxone]

Thanks alldodge, I'll check the AC Delco kit. Any reason why you would choose it over the two I listed?

Is this the kit you were referring to? https://www.marinepartssource.com/delco-est-replacement-marine-distributor-kit-uiw-gmestv8

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have not had luck with pertronix ignitions. the Delco EST is what both Volvo and Mercruiser used for a while. I agree with AD, over the two choices, go with the EST

 

[itxone]

I guess the kits come with coils and plug wires. Not sure if I need those or not but I guess would be good to start fresh with all new components.

 

[itxone]

I have not had luck with pertronix ignitions. the Delco EST is what both Volvo and Mercruiser used for a while. I agree with AD, over the two choices, go with the EST

Roger that.. I appreciate the feedback!

 

[alldodge]

Your going to need wires because the ends which go on the cap are different. Look at the kit you found and compare with your cap

 

[itxone]

Someone on another forum recommended I check to see which year my block was manufactured as the distributor gears may differ but when I search for Delco EST Kits on various online shops (Summit for example) I only see one type being offered. Any thoughts?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Someone on another forum recommended I check to see which year my block was manufactured as the distributor gears may differ

the guy on the other forum is smoking crack, or peyote or sniffing porta-johns.

the distributor gear is the same regardless if the motor is a small block or big block or V6. the same distributor gear in 1955 will work in a SBC in 2020

 

[itxone]

the guy on the other forum is smoking crack, or peyote or sniffing porta-johns.

the distributor gear is the same regardless if the motor is a small block or big block or V6. the same distributor gear in 1955 will work in a SBC in 2020

LOL! Thanks Scott.

 

[itxone]

Well I think I've reached the end of my abilities. Dropped in the new distributor and wires but got hung up on the wiring for tach, power, shift interrupt, etc. The old MSD setup (6m-sl) had many more wires which left me scratching my head on what to do with some of them. Maybe I'll post some pics here and see what the collective iBoat community thinks.

 

[itxone]

Can anyone tell me what this part is? Some sort of oil pressure monitor maybe?

 

[achris]

That is an oil pressure gauge sender unit.

 

[itxone]

Evening all. So good news, after some tinkering I did get the new distributor installed and got the boat running! Turned out that I had a couple of plug wires mixed up. Whoops..

Anyway, I was able to start and run her several times that day and ended the day taking a stab at adjusting the timing once I had a timing light. The following day I found that the engine had trouble starting. Like the starter wasn't getting enough juice. It would only turn the engine over maybe once or twice. Since then I've replaced both the positive and negative battery cables but that didn't help matters. My guess is the starter is bad or going bad so I'm going to remove it tomorrow and have it tested. I know the timing still needs adjustment but could it be impacting the starter?

If anyone has any other ideas as to what the problem might be I'd love to hear them.

 

[jesse_boston]

Were you running on muffs? How much water was coming through? How does the oil look?
I ask these questions because a very slow and difficult crank could a different engine problem.

Also, if the timing is spectacularly bad, the ignition could be firing early enough that it is trying to turn the engine backwards.
If you disconnect the coils and it cranks normally then you know it's timing related.

 

[itxone]

Were you running on muffs? How much water was coming through? How does the oil look?
I ask these questions because a very slow and difficult crank could a different engine problem.

Also, if the timing is spectacularly bad, the ignition could be firing early enough that it is trying to turn the engine backwards.
If you disconnect the coils and it cranks normally then you know it's timing related.

Yes, it was running on muffs and water discharge looked pretty normal. Oil was clean when I started the project and remains so. Some other folks recommending resetting the timing altogether. Pulling the distributor again and finding TDC. Feels excessive since I had it running but probably the best course of action.

 

[itxone]

Removed the distributor and reoriented it back to TDS. I'm not sure if I was off before or not but it was worth trying. Running and starting seems better now but the timing still needs adjusting as it ran for a minute or so then stalled.. I'll pick back up where I left off later this week.