Electronic Ignition

[Joel]

Thanks guys...  Yes its a marine distributor (Prestolite - Marine SAE #.....).   I found the Pertronix elec. ignitor on Discount Inboard Marine but theyre prices were higher & NAPA wanted a small fortune @ $199.00.  Jegs had it for $88.00 + handling/tax with next day delivery and its marine rated specifically for the Prestolite distributor.  BTW, I think this distributor was used primarily in Studebakers...  wierd huh???

It looks as easy as taking out the points & screwing down the new electronic system - two wires total - and putting the rotor & cap back on...  I've got my mechanic helping me (just in case) and also cause I dont have a timing light & wouldnt know how to read one if I did...   But, I'll know how after Wednesday 

[Mike Harry]

It is just that easy my friend, and you will never believe how easy it is to read a timing light either. You will be able to do both with ease after seeing it one time.

[Pelvic Woo]

All I know fer sure is it only cost me $20, was a breeze to install and the boat has never run better.  WAY better than dealing with points.

[Midskier]

1541 is not the right one

[Joel]

Yeah, I just figured that out...   

1541 is for a 4 cyl - the website doesnt specify, but it shows "4 cyl" on the box.  1582 (the correct one) is for the 8 cyl with the screw down cap.  It'll be here tomorrow...

Thanks!!!

[Joel]

You guys are NOT going to believe this...  Or, the way things have been going lately, maybe you will     The "correct" ignitor shows up and I'm busy installing it when I realize the rotor wont fit down into the magnet sleeve - at all.  I call Jegs and they tell me I must have the wrong rotor (original rotor)... well it must be the wrong distributor (same one I had yesterday when you told me the # 1582 was the CORRECT part)...  Well, we cant find your distributor # on any of the cross-references provided by Prestolite...  Call us tomorrow when Prestolite is open and we'll see what we can do...      Yeah right.

Tomorrow I'm returning the damn thing.

Guess I'll start from scratch.  Can any of you guys recommend a GOOD make/model ignitor for Prestolite distributor on the Ford 351?  In the meantime, I'm gonna buy me some points & a condenser.

Thanks again,  Joel

[Midskier]

what # is your dizzy? IBM 7013(?)

and so far I've had good luck with pertronix distributors too

if you want an HEI you'll have to bang the net to find a marine version , there is one out there
but then you need to change wires too

[Joel]

IBM 1008 is the distributor cap #.  I went to Jegs today and returned the # 1582 since it didnt fit my rotor.  They ordered the # 1581 (it is exactly the same except it comes with a rotor).  A couple more bucks, but if it works I'll be a happy camper   

If not, I'm gonna throw away that damn Prestolite distributor and get one that people actually have parts for...   

Thanks again...