Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

[Bill kubiak]

I have a 1974 Mercruiser 5.8 with a points and condenser system and was thinking about upgrading to an electronic pointless system, what is involved and what are the advantages and what is the cost???

 

[alldodge]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

I have a 1974 Mercruiser 5.8 with a points and condenser system and was thinking about upgrading to an electronic pointless system, what is involved and what are the advantages and what is the cost???

You can get the Delco Voyager replacement system for around $300. Basically remove distributor, coil, ballast resistor (wire or actual resistor). Install new distributor, coil (no ballast resistor) and change one wire. Advantages: no points to wear out, quicker starts, smoother running and no points to bounce thereby getting better fire at higher rpm

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

You can get the Delco Voyager replacement system for around $300. Basically remove distributor, coil, ballast resistor (wire or actual resistor). Install new distributor, coil (no ballast resistor) and change one wire. Advantages: no points to wear out, quicker starts, smoother running and no points to bounce thereby getting better fire at higher rpm

The Delco system is GM - I am assuming the 5.8 is a Ford 351 engine. You can go with a Pertronix system that replaces the points. I've never done a Ford before... but I would assume they have a setup for the Ford engine. I've had good luck with the Pertronix. Don't expect a performance upgrade - more of a simple consistent start.

 

[Bill kubiak]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

The Delco system is GM - I am assuming the 5.8 is a Ford 351 engine. You can go with a Pertronix system that replaces the points. I've never done a Ford before... but I would assume they have a setup for the Ford engine. I've had good luck with the Pertronix. Don't expect a performance upgrade - more of a simple consistent start.

Yes it's a ford and it starts instantly all the time, I heard that with a bigger fatter spark you get improved gas mileage, is there anything to that claim??

 

[alldodge]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

The Delco system is GM - I am assuming the 5.8 is a Ford 351 engine. You can go with a Pertronix system that replaces the points. I've never done a Ford before... but I would assume they have a setup for the Ford engine. I've had good luck with the Pertronix. Don't expect a performance upgrade - more of a simple consistent start.

I saw 5.8 and thought it might be a typo (5.7), but if it is a 5.8 then you have a good point. There are several which have used the Pertronix without trouble, but there have also been a mess of others that have had many problems. Last year was a bad one with problems here on iboats. Good catch either way, regards

Edit: just noticed the OP's post, your correct

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

Mid last season, I upgraded my '73 Mercruiser 4.1 with a Pertronix Ignitor II system with coil for about $120. Easy to install in about 30 minutes. Engine runs smoother and starts easier.
I also installed one 5 years ago in my '67 Firebird, had great experience with that which is why I installed one in my boat engine.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

Yes it's a ford and it starts instantly all the time, I heard that with a bigger fatter spark you get improved gas mileage, is there anything to that claim??

Bottom line, in my opinion, no.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

+1 on that. Marketing hype only.

 

[Mullin]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

Bigger fatter spark? No. Only way to get a bigger spark is to over gap your spark plugs, and a good coil will maintain a strong spark at high rpms.

A new and properly set points ignition will be just as good as electronic ignition.

However, setting points is a PITA (in my opinion) and requires not only the timing light but a feeler guage and a dwell meter. Plus a lot of tweaking to get it just right, whereas electronic ignition required just a timing light and is super easy to quickly set and forget.

Electronic ignition has the simplicity advantage and is easy to set up perfect, then doesn't wear out or require annual maintenance.
Points ignition can perform just as well but requires a little more to set up and maintain.

I installed a hot spark kit in my volvo and think it is great, I would definitely recommend it. However, electronic ignition can crap out without any warning and leave you stranded. So if you go out into the ocean or far far away from assistance, being able to limp in on a set of fried points may be better than the alternative.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

I would stick with the points myself. The advantage of the GM distributor(which you can't use) is it has an electronic advance. I don't believe any of the marine Ford distributors have electronic advance.

Just replacing the module won't buy you any performance gains and I feel they are less reliable than points.

 

[captmello]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

Here's an electronic distributor available here at Iboats for your 351.

Electronic Distributor - Sierra

It's a little pricey...I'd stick with the points unless the distributor isn't functioning (advancing) properly or the bushings are worn, etc. I'm still running points in my 5.7ltr. I take the time to set the dwell correctly and it runs just fine.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Thinking about upgrading my ignition system

I still have my old dwell meter. I remember setting points, and then you had to set the timing because point settings change timing. THEN you had to set idle speed and usually use the neutral drop method of air fuel mixing. Yep, electronic is worth it. 300 bucks may not be cost effective, after all you can buy a lot of point sets for that, but we think nothing of shelling out hundreds every month so everyone in the family can have a smartphone so wifey can go on dating sites and you can check out the latest in yoga pants styles.