Electronic Ignition Kits!

How's it going guys!?

I just picked up a 1984 MasterCraft Stars and Stripes and I'm looking to improve the starting of it. On both Correct Craft Fan and the Mastercraft forums it seems like people either love the kits or hate them.

I'm more than likely going to give a kit a try so I just wanted to see which kit everyone here likes. Seems like the Pertronix kit is popular but I do see the Hot-Spark kit appear every now and then.

Aside from that, any recommendations on getting this running perfect?!

Any experience with these guys?
http://www.nationalcarburetors.com/marine/fourbarrelholley.aspx

Some Pics:

Before spending the money on a EI conversion that are prone to problems (yes, I'm one that doesn't believe in them) why don't you check to see if your engine is equipped with the ballast resistor bypass during cranking.

bhectus wrote: Nice find, I really love the look of those old stars & stripes in the water.

Thanks, definitely looking forward to dropping her in soon.

GottaSki wrote: I concur with Pete Without the bypass, the coil enerize is further pulled down by the undersized, aging wire from the dash, the alternator energize, and the electric choke. Plus the ballast and drop from the starter, its a wonder they start at all. Very nice boat!

8122pbrainard wrote: Before spending the money on a EI conversion that are prone to problems (yes, I'm one that doesn't believe in them) why don't you check to see if your engine is equipped with the ballast resistor bypass during cranking.

How exactly can I look for this to confirm?

New plugs will be going in today and I ordered an EI Conversion with Coil and an entire distributor from Pertronix. I figure I'll keep the original Prestolite in the boat incase anything happens!

Regardless, I do want to check the ballast resistor that you're talking about though.

8122pbrainard wrote: Mike, You will have a second small terminal on the starter relay. When it's energized during cranking, this is wired to the coil by passing the resistor and providing full voltage to the coil. However, now that you have ordered the conversion, follow the instructions that come with it.

Thanks Pete, we'll see how it goes!

When you mount the new coil try not to "lay in down" 30* angle or better.

Why is this a good idea?

An oil filled coil will overheat when on it's side.   There has to be some air inside the can to allow for thermal expansion (not completely full of oil). When you lay it on the side, some of the windings are not immersed in oil & don't get cooled.

Did you get the EST dizzy?

Waterdog wrote: E spark (mallory) seems to be the best. Thats the one i use (86 2001). My brothers (Pertronix) was bad out of the box.(84 2001) When you mount the new coil try not to "lay in down" 30* angle or better. My friend has a baby blue and white Stars & Strips. Where C/C guys here But thats a NICE boat!

Thanks for the info, we'll see how this unit works out! When you talk about the coil, is the stock coil bracket at that angle or should I adjust it?

I definitely am a Nautique fan, I absolutely love the 2001's but this hull was entirely too clean to pass on.

Thanks for the kind words and information everyone!

I wouldn't think it would be able to fit with the bigger gear on there... The circumference of the gear would have to be the same.

Something is wrong, but not sure what. I'm sure someone on here would know what motor the bigger gear goes to.

It sure looks like you got a distributor for a 351 CLEVELAND not a 351 Windsor.

If I remember right the Windsor gear is about 1 1/4 inches in diameter and the Cleveland gear is about 1 4/10 inches.

The 351 Cleveland also fits the 429 and 460 engines. The 351W fits nothing else.

You should be able to get Pertronix to exchange it or give you the right gear to make it work.

Ken O