Goodbye points!

[Bubbabuda]

I just ordered two new Mallory electronic distributors and coils. I thought that spending a little more on complete distributors was worth it, verses the conversion kits. Hopefully they will be reliable and maybe get a little more performance. Also planning on two new sets of Iridum plugs.

[Lean Wolf]

I have converted one of my boats and two of my old cars over in the last few years and trust me... you will never look back!!

[Away On Busine$$]

Bubba, Why you do this and not let me know! What's the cost all in.

Thanks Ken

[prowlersfish]

Getting rid of distributors and coils and plugs was the best thing I ever did .

[Away On Busine$$]

Powlersfish / Bubbabuda! I am not really a tech expert, this work would probably require a mechanic on my part. Just would like to get a little better feel for exactly what is being done. My f32 has chyl 318's with distributor cap, points, rotor etc! all the old stuff, what should I be looking at for upgrades and does this mean new wires and plugs. Difficulty scale 1 to 10. Thanks

[Bubbabuda]

I ordered two Mallory electronic distributors, the YLM series (YLM554CV). Since one is standard rotation and one is counter-rotation, I needed to buy a counter-rotation gear for the bottom of one. The distributors are complete with cap and rotor. I also ordered the matching marine grade ignition coils. I plan on using my existing wires, since they are new to the rebuilds and are H/D wires. The plugs are Autolite Iridium plugs for my 233 Mercs. The $$$ for all these goodies, $289.97 each dist, $54.97 gear, $47.97 each coils, all total $730.85 with free shipping. This is thru Summit racing equipment.
As far as the difficulty level, I would say maybe a 4. Take time to either get motors up on TDC or align the rotor with another hard reference. Remember to take into account of the diviation of the gear when installing. Should follow wiring diagram and instructions with new parts. Drop in new dist, secure to warm up motor then set timing.

[Lean Wolf]

Another option. Pertronix makes an electronic ignition conversion kit which you can buy for approximately $70 to $150 (depending on application) in which you can convert a standard points based distributor to electronic ignition. You basically take the points out of the distributor and screw down a sensor into the bottom of the distributor and put a collar with a magnetic pick up over the distributor shaft. The sensor reads the magnetic pickup and tells the ignition when to fire. No more points and you do not need to spend a ton of money replacing the whole ignition. They truly work great.

[Away On Busine$$]

Drew, what would you define as the real benefit of this.

[mikeandanne]

I ordered two Mallory electronic distributors, the YLM series (YLM554CV). .

Those are nice dizzies---- totally adjustable ,you can get any advance curve with the springs and total advance is also adjustable inside with degree spacers--- had a few very nice---- Mike

[Big D]

Drew, what would you define as the real benefit of this.

The benefit is that you eliminate the points and condenser. I've been running first generation units since they first came out. Not because I needed them, I'm okay with points, but I wanted to tinker with something new. I still keep my old points in the drawer just in case. What you need to remember though is that this type of conversion will not do anything to correct a distributor hardware problem resulting from age, wear, or lack of maintenance. If the shaft is sloppy, or the advance hardware sticks, these problems will still be there after the points conversion. The only thing that will solve a distributor problem is a repair or replacement.

[Away On Busine$$]

BigD, I'am still looking for the fan at the front of the engine. Really do want to try to understand but am afraid I have no knowledge of the mechanical side of things and really am not sure if this type of conversion is something I should consider, or is it something that advanced knowledge wants to move to as a nice to have or possible safeguard.

[Big D]

The key to this topic is that we are doing away with the much older points technology as a means in part to fire a specific spark plug at the right time. While points can do the job, there are a few pros to replacing them with newer technology. If you feel the need to move away from points and aren't confident you can do it, have someone assess the condition of the distributors and take it from there. If the distributors are in good shape albeit already tens of years old, the conversion kits may be a solution for you. If you are looking to upgrade to new hardware and the wallet permits, go with new distributors. If you don't have basic mechanical skills and the ability to know what to look for in determining the condition of your current distributor and its components, or you're not sure you can set up base timing properly and check your advance, then I strongly suggest you have someone do it for you. Setting the timing wrong for example can cause serious engine damage. Doing it yourself isn't worth the savings unless you can say to yourself that you're absolutely confident in your ability to do it right. Only you can answer that.

[mikeandanne]

[quote="Big D"]you're not sure you can set up base timing properly and check your advance, then I strongly suggest you have someone do it for you. Setting the timing wrong for example can cause serious engine damage. [/quote

+1------

[prowlersfish]

+2

[Away On Busine$$]

Hey Guys, I take it the +1 and +2 means you strongly support BigD's post.