Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

[cecho]

I'm not a big fan of points and I'd like to get some opinions on this upgrade. I don't own a dwell meter and I need to tune up the 898 Mercruiser with the 198 HP 305/5.0 Chevy engine. Should I just take the money I was going to put towards the meter and points / condenser into a Pertronix under the cap ignition system?

What about just using the points as a switch and using a Ford TFI module or DR100 HEI module for the ignition? I've done this conversion before to an old engine with great results.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

I have had a pertronix for around 6/7 years and like it. My dad put a pertronix in the 66 mustang about 15+ years ago and it is his daily driver with no problems.

 

[cecho]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

While going through my old notes I found where I upgraded my last twin engine boat using two DR100 modules. I've completely forgotten about it until now. I remember it made a huge difference in run-ability. I might just go ahead with that route since it's such a cheap upgrade.

It does the same thing as the pertronix system but uses the points as a switch instead of a hall effect sensor.

 

[achris]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

While going through my old notes I found where I upgraded my last twin engine boat using two DR100 modules. I've completely forgotten about it until now. I remember it made a huge difference in run-ability. I might just go ahead with that route since it's such a cheap upgrade.

It does the same thing as the pertronix system but uses the points as a switch instead of a hall effect sensor.

And you'll still have to replace points at the required interval. While the contact points themselves may no longer carry the high current and burn, the arm that runs on the distributor shaft cam still wears and changes the timing and points gap. If you are going to change to electronic ignition, do the whole job, not just half of it.

Chris.......

 

[dubs283]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

electronic upgrades are nice, they save a lot of time and trouble during tune-ups for folks who dont deal with points ignition a lot

the only disadvantage is if something goes wrong when you are out, unless you have spare parts you may be stuck waiting for a tow - having a spare tune-up kit with new point set, condenser and rotor on board is cheap insurance, at least get ya back to port

 

[SWD]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

I'd go with the "full meal deal".

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

I kinda dig the old school points. They are not that hard to figure out once you get used to them. I am 50 years old now and points were just getting fazed out of auto's when i started turning wrenches at 16 so i worked on probably 2 of my beaters back then and didnt remember a whole lot today. Back then i didnt even use a dwell meter and got by. Not recommended. 30 years later here i am again messing with points. I now use a dwell meter. If you are on a low budget you can play with the points but get a dwell meter. I got a decent one on flea bay for 25$. You might find yourself enjoying the fact that you can get your old girl running old school. 25$ vs 150$. Best of luck.

 

[cecho]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

I haven't decided yet. I'm looking at $60 to tune up the points if I include the dwell meter and I'm looking at $140 to upgrade to electronic.

 

[matt167]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

I put the Pertonix kit in my 1951 Chevy car with the 235/ powerglide. I had perfectly tuned points ( dwell meter ), but since the upgrade, I have faster starts, smoother running, and it will run off choke colder now. Points bounce above 3000 RPM. that is why high end cars got multi point distributors before the days of electronic ignitions.

 

[cecho]

Re: Should I replace my points ignition with an electronic ignition upgrade?

The $140 also includes Ignitor II the 45000 volt coil which I believe will let me run up to a .045 gap... assuming the cap and rotor are up to that kind of gap.

Just the Ignitor I itself is only $5 more than the cost of simply replacing the points and getting a dwell meter.


I've decided I'm either going with the Ignitor I or Ignitor II + Flame Thrower at this point.

The questions is, "Is a larger spark gap and obviously brighter spark work $80?"