Ski Boat Forum

General Category => General American Skier Discussions => Topic started by: mpjwalsh on September 23, 2011, 05:15:52 PM

Title: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: mpjwalsh on September 23, 2011, 05:15:52 PM

Hey All.

I have an 87 Advance with the Indmar Chevy 350. I want to convert the points ignition to an electronic ignition.

I have the Mallory distributor that uses the 209 cap. What are my options?

Thanks, Mike

Title: Re: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: RonT on September 24, 2011, 10:28:35 AM

Dan has what you need.

Title: Re: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: mpjwalsh on October 13, 2011, 03:50:20 PM

Thanks Ron.

Dan, can you chime in? What do I need and what will it cost?

Title: Re: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: Midskier on October 14, 2011, 10:43:04 AM

your phone # and about $100

Dan T

Title: Re: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: PaulM on October 20, 2011, 11:08:43 AM

What is the advantage with electronic ignition?  In the 90's, I converted my 88 Advance Indmar SP300 to a MSD electronic ignition.  There was no discernible difference in performance relative to the conventional point ignition.  Starting and idling remained the same, as were top end RPM's.  I removed the MSD and went back to the conventional points for reliability and simplicity.  Am I missing something?

Title: Re: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: Midskier on October 20, 2011, 01:16:06 PM

Paul, sounds like you were one of the few with well / correctly tuned engine / ignition to begin with.

Occasionally we see a minimal gain if anything @ WOT RPM

typically we see 100-200 increase @ WOT

and then there are the few that see increase of 300- or more RPM @ WOT 

now could we have seen those same gains with the points installed (?) maybe....

however the points contacts will continue to degrade  and need to be replaced sooner than later

the electronic ignition kit typically is set it and forget it - plus this bonus replace the cap rotor wires and plugs every few 100 hours instead of every 100 hours

being "electronic" a failure is sure to come sooner or later however in my 15 years or so of carrying them I have yet to have a single failure

if your comfortable with points keep them, they are simple, and with a screwdriver and emery board easy enough to keep functioning  or as you put it reliable

I have sold @ least 100 kits per 1 set of points. 

When it's tune up time it's @ least worth the consideration.

MSD marine distributor still uses a mechanical advance like the stock conventional distributor, cost about $350 plus wires, and are just a little more involved for the average boat owner to install............


Dan T

Title: Re: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: jrpontiac on October 21, 2011, 02:09:35 PM

Replacing cap/rotor/wires every 100 hours.   Do many do it this often?  Whenever I read other peoples maintenance schedules I feel like such a slacker, or cheapskate, not sure which one.   

Title: Re: Convert to Electronic Ignition
Post by: Joel on October 23, 2011, 04:54:07 PM

I believe my stock 1991 dist cap failed in 2010...  the rotor was fine...  on its second set of plug wires...  every 100 hours seems a little X-treme.  But, its your boat & your $$...