electronic ignition info?

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 04-28-2008, 1:43 PM

So once again my points have gone out on my distributor. this is twice now in a season and a half. Im gonna have everything looked at and tuned up, however ive been told it might be wise to switch to electronic ignition. Its only like 150 bucks but i have no idea what it does and the benefits. ive been told it will solve my issues though. can someone shed some light on this for me?

(rallyart) · (rallyart) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 04-28-2008, 1:46 PM

When you've switched your engine stays in tune longer and a tune up costs less. The points are replaced by an inductive pickup. The weights to advance the ignition with RPM are still there and your curve is still the same.
Just install it. Check the timing. Then enjoy.

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-28-2008, 1:50 PM

It is not 150 bucks. If that is what you are going to pay call me and I will sell it to you for about half that. Here is a link with some of the advantages of going to an electronic ignition.

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

I think the best advantage is that you don't ever have to change out points and condensers.

One thing to be careful about though is how your stereo is wired up. If it is wired to your ignition you can burn up the ignition module. Basically if the module is receiving voltage and the motor is not running it can melt. This could have been the problem with your points and condenser.

(kenteck) · (kenteck) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 04-28-2008, 1:51 PM

you need to go with the Pertronix electronic ignition, around 70 -90.00, never have to mess with points again, http://www.ase-supply.com/pertronix_s/60.htm

(kenteck) · (kenteck) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 04-28-2008, 1:53 PM

brett
nothing like a double up

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-28-2008, 1:53 PM

Ha, beat you Ken. How are things down in Portland? You getting any good weather down there? We have only had 2 nice days so far this year. I am getting a little frustrated.

(gbugg19) · (gbugg19) **Join Date: Oct 2007** 04-28-2008, 1:59 PM

Its the best money you will ever spend

(kenteck) · (kenteck) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 04-28-2008, 2:04 PM

brett
went out yesterday, no one on the water, butter all day, water was cold as @#$%$, but great day

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-28-2008, 2:06 PM

The part number you will use is probably the 1582. This is the one I used on my 87 nautique with the PCM 351.

walt 04-28-2008, 2:12 PM

When I changed over on my old boat I put in a whole new distributor for about 500.00. It was worth every penny.

(roverjohn) · (roverjohn) **Join Date: Dec 2007** 04-28-2008, 2:19 PM

The best thing to do would be to convert to crank fired electronic ignition because then you could even get rid of the distributor and it would be far more accurate. However that's a pretty complex retrofit on an old boat when the pertronix could be tossed in there for $75 or so.

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-28-2008, 2:25 PM

WCW, 500 for a distributor? Ouch. We carry the Pertronix billet distributor and those are under $300.

walt 04-28-2008, 2:28 PM

Brett,
With install and I might be off on that price. It was a few years back.

(mikeski) · (mikeski) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 04-28-2008, 3:24 PM

bought mine from Overton's, it was easier to install than changing points (10 years ago).

(luchog) · (luchog) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 04-28-2008, 3:49 PM

The guys at correctcraftfan.com recomend the Prestolite/PCM conversion over the pertronix

(kenteck) · (kenteck) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 04-28-2008, 4:10 PM

Good luck with the prestolite set up If you can even find one, you now have to go to AMATEK for that set up, that is in Mexico and what is left in stock is it, only a handfull of the old prestolite is avaiable, only 15 different types distributors left that are avaiable for the conversion....

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 04-28-2008, 4:43 PM

how hard is this to do myself? im kind of on a budget, so id rather try myself. is this just a bolt on product or do you have to know what you are doing? im kind of learning as i go, thanks for all of yalls help

(kenteck) · (kenteck) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 04-28-2008, 4:49 PM

try this for starters,http://www.pertronix.com/support/manuals/pdf/ignitor12vneg.pdf

(luchog) · (luchog) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 04-28-2008, 5:25 PM

Ken, skidim sell the Prestolite kits for U$D149, I'm planning on getting one myself, what do you recomend?

(kenteck) · (kenteck) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 04-28-2008, 7:01 PM

Luciano
I am sure there are some still available from AMATEK, but If I was buying one I would stick with the Pertronix, the prestolite kits are fading away, to get a replacement part later on, more than likely it will not be available anymore, Pertronix has a good warranty and will be around for sometime and replacement parts are easy to get.
Don’t get me wrong, I like prestolite, we are a distributor for both products, Its just that prestolite is fading away and Pertronix is the new way to go.

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 04-28-2008, 7:04 PM

it sounds as though the pertronix is a better price too.

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 04-28-2008, 7:05 PM

looks like pertronix is a better price too

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 04-28-2008, 9:24 PM

What Ken said.

(denverd1)

Ken, i converted to electronic ignition about 200 hours ago. No problems at all, but I'm getting things back together from a top-end rebuild and the distributor cap and rotor is next. (stock brown dist cap on a 351W) The engine has a few upgrades, should make 350 hp. Should I upgrade the dist cap to a performance model? thanks in advance

nacho

(kenteck) · (kenteck) **Join Date: Jan 2005** 04-29-2008, 8:37 AM

Nacho
I would just get a stock distributor cap.