Change points to electic. Yes or No

So tell me should I upgrade to a new electric distributor points set-up like a Mallory or Pertronix>>>> OR >>>should I leave it like it came factory with points and condenser 1987 351 PCM 2001SN. ..... FYI runs super..... I am a newb on this site this is my new correct craft bought this year second all together . Had many inboards (Moomba, Mustang, Mastercraft) FYI I know how to set points like my granddad taught me with a matchbook cover and a points wrench. LOL!!

If you don't know who Pete is, he will say "keep it original", and I don't think he likes Pertronix either. I would be interested in hearing why he doesn't like Pertronix.

I was having misfire issues on my '68 F250 w/390. It wasn't the points, but, rather a bad condenser. I think the replacement was starting to go bad too, Condensers these days, according to the internet, are cheap and don't last. I decided to try a Pertronix system, and it has been running great. No more condensers to go bad. No more misses.

However, if your boat is running good now, I'd leave it alone. If it starts to act up in the future, then consider it.   

By the way, real nice looking 2001. I like the color combo. Very clean boat.

Don,
Now that my name has been mentioned, I guess I need to comment but, I would have anyway! Welcome to CCfan. Yes, great looking 2001.

I love your comment about the match book cover. I too have used the trick when a quick point set replacement was needed at the launch ramp and I didn't want to drive home for the feeler gauge. I got the boat home and the dwell meter told me how close a chunk of paper got me!!

As mentioned, I'm not a fan of the EI conversions and I don't consider them to be an "upgrade". There are known problems with them and when they fail, you are stuck. We have members who actually carry a spare module on board! With a point set, you can do a quick clean up and get home plus, typically you will know when they are starting to go bad. Points have worked since the days when they replaced the hit and miss ignition. There are no performance gains with the conversions . I feel may times the convertions are done by people who can't or don't know how to handle a point set!! In your case, that's certainly not the problem. If you want to go electronic, replace the complete distributor. There are several threads on it.

If you already haven't found it, there's a FAQ thread at the top of this forum section. Fantastic links to just about anything you need to know. If you can't find an answer, ask since the members here have a unbelievable knowledge base.

Welcome again and keep the pictures coming. We love them! Also, when you get a chance, submit some pictures and text for the diary section.

Sampson 182 wrote: FYI I know how to set points like my granddad taught me with a matchbook cover and a points wrench. LOL!!

I learned the same way, except instead of a matchbook, use a dime. Last time I did it, I didn't have a dime, so I used two nickels.

ScottZ wrote: I have upgraded all of mine and it was well worth it.

Scott,
Did you do the conversions or go with the complete distributor? Fill us in on why you feel the "upgrade" was worth it.

My chrysler has pertronix and have had no issues, however, if yours is running well now, why bother?

74Wind wrote: My chrysler has pertronix and have had no issues, however, if yours is running well now, why bother?

I must add that was long before I got my WWPD (What Would Pete Do?) bracelet...

I've converted to Pertronix on the '63 Atom last year and it was one of the best things I've done! I struggled with points for a couple of years, did a ton of research on how to set and maintain them (I'm a stickler for maintenance - probably the engineer in me! ;-). I also did a ton a research on keeping points vs. Pertronix.    At the end of the day you'll find it to be a 50/50 split on preferences, but I'll tell you my boating experience vastly improved last summer with the Pertronix - no more messing with points.

Now the "points camp" will argue that when the Pertronix unit fails, it will leave you stranded, as opposed to a set of points that you generally can always get going again.   That is true, but the newer Pertronix units have a very low failure rate. In my research, Pertronix had issues 30ish years ago (when electronic ignition was still relatively new anyway), but the new ones are extremely reliable.

With this in mind, the minimal risk of failure is greatly outweighed by the convenience of not having to mess with points!

There is a reason you can't buy an internal combustion engine with points anymore. Even the motor in your lawnmower doesn't have points. Switched to a Mallory E-Spark and the boat runs great. I wasted 2 weeks during the start of the season trying to get my "quick to clean up and fix" points to work.

The bad modules were possibly burnt up by improper installs too. Failure rates are all old and unreliable data.

If it runs fine I wouldn't fuss with it but if/when it does wouldn't be afraid of any of the available EI conversion kits.

TRBenj wrote: Totally agree that old worn out distributors likely cause more issues than the points themselves.

And really how often is this seen? If the engine is worn enough to be rebuilt then yes, why in the world would someone put a worn out part in something new. More often than not it's from neglect and a points conversion will not help that,more likely make it get worse because then the cap will never come off.
If you want to go pointless then use the unit that Tim has recommended and many here have now used,not some pieced together fits one fits all conversion.

63 Atom Skier wrote: I've converted to Pertronix on the '63 Atom last year and it was one of the best things I've done! I struggled with points for a couple of years, did a ton of research on how to set and maintain them

Even with all the research, you are still point set challenged? As I mentioned previously, it's a common reason for the EI conversion. The other is, some seem to think it will add performance which it doesn't. If the engine has problems starting due to ignition issues, then it's probably time for an ignition tune up with a proper point install and dwell adjustment.

Gary S wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: chuckactor wrote: There is a reason you can't buy an internal combustion engine with points anymore. . Very good to know but, what is the reason????? Manufacturer's look bad when it takes 2 weeks to get their points adjusted In small engines I'm sure the reason is cost and packaging

Most likely reliability and longer service interval, lower maintenance costs.   My shop vehicle just turned 160,000 miles yesterday and has never had a tune up, original wires , cap, plugs everything. A points system just can't get that done, I remember maintaining the family cars growing up, we had 4 cars in the family and I was always tuning one of them up.

Hollywood wrote: The bad modules were possibly burnt up by improper installs too. Failure rates are all old and unreliable data. If it runs fine I wouldn't fuss with it but if/when it does wouldn't be afraid of any of the available EI conversion kits.

I didn't buy the failed modules on eBay, lol. Install was proper on at least 3 in my pile (verified with my own eyes) but the others could have failed for a number of reasons. Even the DUI's are not immune, FYI! At least those modules are only $30. Still more times than points left me stranded too.

I agree that I would not be in a huge rush to revert back to points on a boat/engine that came to me with EI (assuming it was running good). But I sure wouldn't spend money on the conversion either. Points are easy and cheap, and have a lower failure rate than the conversion kits in my experience. Of course I think that owning a $20 dwell meter and knowing how to use it goes hand in hand with owning an old boat... So I may be out to lunch on this topic.

nice carport too