Serious wiring difficulty and no starting.

[ron7000]

Re: Serious wiring difficulty and no starting.

82 Mercruiser 898 305 5.0L serial #5987939. Outdrive pre alpha one serial# 6251523. stock carb with electric choke, new alternator, stud for grd, stud for bat and 2 smaller wires 1 red, 1 blk. Electronic conversion is Petronix Ignitor 09Z-V4 (got that off of the top of the little electronic box that goes in distributor. Petronix 1.5 ohm Flame thrower coil.

pertronix catalog states for Merc 898, From Serial 4762210 to 6218461, distributor = Mallory, ignitor # = ML-181, ignitor II # = 9ML-181. your part # of 09z-v4 off the little black module may be a part number for just that part, which is probably universal across that entire product line. It doesn't show up nor similar to any number in catalog. I think the ML-181 number, or the correct pertronix part # we need to know, is stamped on the plate that the black module is on and which screws into the distributor. Verify before doing any more wrenching that you have the correct pertronix part, along with the correct magnetic pickup piece that goes under the rotor. Footnote in pertronix catalog states Excluding distributor number yl670av. Call pertronix if you have to, 800-827-3758.<br /><br />With mine, a prestolite distr. for ford 351w, I have both the pertronix 1 and pertronix II, and when switching from one to the other it throws timing off a good 20 deg, because the location of the Pertr.II under the cap is in a very different location than the pertr.1, requiring turning the distr. housing to find timing close enough to get engine to run. Point being, I'm not completely sure if getting the rotor near the #1 lead on the cap corresponds to the firing point under cap with engine at 0 TDC. What you might try, is observing the timing with a timing light while cranking engine. For that you'll need a second person to turn ignition key or rig up a remote starter switch or hotwire at the starter solenoid if accessible.<br /><br /><br />If you could take some pics of the alternator, the wiring, that would be helpful. Also verify plug wiring is correct, it's real easy to mess up like #1 on the wrong side, going 1-4 down the cylinder head instead of criss-cross, firing order ccw around distr. cap instead of clockwise. That's the most common cause of the symptoms you're describing.