converting to electronic ignition...

M

mariner36

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Joined
May 6, 2009
RO Number
31220
Messages
442
Hello all,

This is my first or second post. Before purchasing my 1985 Carver Mariner 36 I read alot of the old posts, but it took me awhile to register, so I have my first question.

The Mariner came with twin crusader 454's (350hp). Everything is original on the boat, with no modifications to the engines whatsoever.

It has a mallory ignition with points. Alocal mechanic, who is new to me, would like to replace the ignition with an electronic unit.

He quoted me $230 dollars per engine for a unit which essentially repalces the guts of the current distributor, and $40 each engine for an upgraded coil.

He states that the labor will be 1 to 1.5hrs labor per engine.

The price seems fair, but I don't know much about the electronic ignition, so I would really appreciate the input.

is this the best way to do it? Is there a preffered brand or way to do this? Any questions to ask, things to look out for, etc?

I really appreciate the help. Thank You.
 
Well before getting to the ignition, I would be more concerned about 24YO risers, manifolds, thermostat, raw water pump, impellers, belts, hoses, and fuel lines - to start.

With respect to your actual question - that price is not outrageous (including labor).

Seriosuly - 24 years and nothing touched on the engines?
 
It has a mallory ignition with points. A local mechanic, who is new to me, would like to replace the ignition with an electronic unit.

He quoted me $230 dollars per engine for a unit which essentially repalces the guts of the current distributor, and $40 each engine for an upgraded coil.

http://www.boatfix.com/shop3/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=18142

Note the BF is a Prestolite. The Mallory kit is about the same price. I don't know if it makes a difference.

Unless the $230 per engine includes labor, I think you are being had.
 
replace the whole works with delco est they are available as a kit dist, coil, wires. the problem with converting is rusty advance weights and worn dist also the labor to switch over is time consuming also big blocks run and idle better with the est system it came oem on many! they are still available i installed 4 last week you can set them and forget them, then lean up the carb a bit remember they have a wicked hot spark hotter than thunderbolt!
 
The price isn't bad, but if it doesn't include rebuilding the spark advance springs ask how much to include that, they should also be "spun-up" after replacement to check timing cruve.
I have replaced 6 distributors on 454's due to rusted out springs. A parts store in town was selling Prestolite dis. and 20,000 volt coils for $180.00 per engine. That and a 6 pack for me, my friends were good to go. You get rid of the shunt resistors too in the deal.
 
Thank you all for taking the time to help me out.

To adress the first concerns RE overall engine condition. Th engine was surveyed prior to purchase in May. compression tests, visual inspections, oil testing all came out fine. The only recommendation was to rebuild the ignition with new points, weights, etc, or to replace it with an electronic ignition.

With regard to what the mechanic wants to install, it is called the pertronix ignitor 2 with flamethrower 40,000v coil. A link to their webpage is pasted below.

http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor/default.aspx

The mechanic is telling me this is superior to the Delco system and replacing the whole distributor.

The $230 price includes the coil, and the labor hours iclude "fine tuning" as he calls it. I have never worked with him before, but he comes well reccommended, and his labor rate is reasonable.

I know nothing about these ignition systems, so any help is appreciated.

We are leaving on a 300+mile trip next week on 7/02/9, so i want to minimize any reliability issues.

thank you again.
 
for $230 you might as well get new dist, imo. fyi...pertronix kit runs less than $100/ea online to give you a cost reference point.

edit...i left out new coil cost...add another $40 or so
 
where casn I find the Delco kit, and how do i determine specifically which one my boat needs?

Is it something that the local auto parts store can order? The marina says "they can't get it"

Thank you for the help.
 
Ditto Kevin's post. IMO,no way the Ignitor 2 on an '85 worn distributor with centrifugal advance is superior to installing the Delco EST kit, though the the Ignitor kit should be way better than what is on there now. BTW the marine Ignitor 2 kit for Crusader 454 can be found for about $106.
 
Google BPIDELCOESTV8 and call whoever has them, having the the serial# for the motors may help or google crusader parts. I don't think BF carries these units.

My crusaders aready had the delco units when we bought it last year. Like me you must be in fresh water to have all orginal engine parts!!!

Good luck
Niles
 
if your mechanic would like me to explain why the delcos work so much better than anything out there not counting the MSD and performance stuff..... thats a different ball game and we engineer our own systems for that. i will talk on the phone or email 3152636204 kevin
 
Kevin, It was good talking to you on the phone, and I really appreciate the help.

Which Bosch spark plugs are needed? The ones in the boat are NGK and the marina couldn't cross reference the Bosch plugs you recommended.

Thanks again.
 
mariner 36 you are the man.

I wish I had the guts to take a new to me boat on a 300 mile trip. Please let us know how it turns out. I took an 1980 boat on a 200 mile trip and had no issues but it was my boat that I had owned for a while so I knew it well. May the marine Gods be with you. Have fun and share some pics or a web cam lol.
 
I do not have one of the original distributors on my boat. How can I tell if it has been converted to electronic ignition? It's a gold distributor with Accel as the brand name. Not much else
 
I have the thunderbolt iv on my circa 1990 454, would the delco est be a good upgrade for thunderbolt? thanks Alan
 
yes if you idle a lot as in trolling or no wake zones no if you just fire up and run over 1500 the delco is more reliable no external box and their pickups last unlike merc we have seen many thunderbolts wear out with to much up or down play or side to side play
 
I have had the Pertronix conversions on my 454 crusaders for about 7 years with not one problem. It took about 25 min on each engine to install including resetting the timing. I would buy them again.
 
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