prestolite electronic ignition conversion
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10999
Printed Date: November-23-2024 at 7:17am
Topic: prestolite electronic ignition conversion
Posted By: rhschnauss
Subject: prestolite electronic ignition conversion
Date Posted: June-27-2008 at 2:50am
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any one have any advice when I change out my prestolite points with the prestolite electronic conversion. It says something about the gap between the magnet and pickup and also removing the ballast. should I bridge the wire across the ballast? or just delete it ------------- rhschnauss |
Replies:
Posted By: nuttyskier2002
Date Posted: June-27-2008 at 4:32am
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Best advice for the conversion is to follow your instructions that came with the kit. If it says to bypass the ballast then remove it. But keep it on hand in case you have an issue with your new ignitor,.... cause you might want to re-install your points. ------------- 95 Malibu Echelon w/Mercruiser 350 Magnum Skier Former boats: 88 Ski Centurion Tru Trac II 59 Chris Craft Capri (woody) |
Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: June-27-2008 at 10:49am
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just put both wires on one post and call it a day. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique |
Posted By: tapenick
Date Posted: June-27-2008 at 10:40pm
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Probably fine either way but I ran the power wire of the EI to the 'hot' side of the ballast resistor instead of bypassing completely... left the resistor inline for the power to the coil.
Tom |
Posted By: tapenick
Date Posted: June-27-2008 at 10:42pm
Gap should be .008 to .010 Tom |
rhschnauss wrote:Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: June-28-2008 at 12:16am
Thats very creative wiring- Ive never heard of doing that before! FYI, the purpose of the ballast resistor would be to regulate the voltage at the points or ignition module- the full 12V wont bother the coil a bit. If your EI calls for bypassing the resistor, then bypass it! Your wiring scheme will simply reduce the voltage at your spark plugs, with no side benefits whatsoever. ------------- |
Posted By: tapenick
Date Posted: June-28-2008 at 4:10am
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I thought some coils had internal resistors and some did not... hence the need.
But had also heard that it usually wouldn't hurt to run any of them without. Tom |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: June-28-2008 at 12:09pm
Thats correct- the coils with internal resistors did the same job as the ballast resistor- to regulate the voltage to the points or EI module. You wont damage anything running it the way it is, but its not a recommended set up and it certainly wont help anything either. ------------- |
Posted By: Luchog
Date Posted: June-29-2008 at 12:50am
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I know this has been debated before but for some reason I still dont have it clear, what is the best EI kit I could get for my Prestolite? I have found 3, Prestolite, Pertronix and Mallory (at Summit)
The prestolite is certainly the most expensive. Wich one to go? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2095" rel="nofollow - 1980 Ski Nautique Commander 351W |
Posted By: boat dr
Date Posted: June-29-2008 at 1:28am
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The new Mallory E-Spark is bullet proof, and the cheapest of the bunch.It is a simple drop in ,no settings on gap. It is an infared trigger that is rock steady on timing and simple to hook up.........Boat dr ------------- boat dr /diaries/details.asp?ID=4631 - 1949 Dart /diaries/details.asp?ID=1533 - 1964 American Skier |
Posted By: boat dr
Date Posted: June-29-2008 at 1:29am
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Mallory part # 9-26903 for the E-Spark ------------- boat dr /diaries/details.asp?ID=4631 - 1949 Dart /diaries/details.asp?ID=1533 - 1964 American Skier |
Posted By: tapenick
Date Posted: June-29-2008 at 1:30pm
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Between trucks and boats I've tried two Pertronix, one Accel, and a Prestolite. Trouble with both Pertronix and the Accel. The Prestolite was already installed in my latest boat and so far it's been fine. I suggest either trying the Mallory as Boat Doc says or upgrading the entire dizzy. Tom |
Posted By: rhschnauss
Date Posted: June-29-2008 at 9:32pm
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I was told to get the prestolite because it used the stock rotor and the others don't. ------------- rhschnauss |
Posted By: stang72
Date Posted: June-30-2008 at 2:27am
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The pertonix uses the same rotor...I have a set in two boats and it's all been trouble free. ------------- stang Face plants are not that funny when it's you face! http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/images/3720/photo1.jpg" rel="nofollow - The Super Air |
Posted By: Luchog
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 10:28am
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I finally ended up with the Prestolite unit, should I bypass the resistor as the instructions say or keep it? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2095" rel="nofollow - 1980 Ski Nautique Commander 351W |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 12:25pm
Lets think about this for a moment. Hmmmm.... ------------- |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 1:52pm
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I was going to start a new thread with my question but I guess I will take advantage of this one. I have an 88 SN. I know how to check timing but I have limited knowledge on this issue. I know my cap is the screw down type. I want to improve the reliability on my boat on this area and get rid of the points. At first I thought about getting a DUI but my engine is stock and per the price I am doubting myself. I plan to leave the engine as it is. Now I am thinking about one of this conversion kit. They seem more affordable with good reliability. So how they works? Just replace the internal with one of these. I know, like my instructor used to said, RTFM (Read the f... manual). Is buying one of these is all I need? The Mallory conversion Dr. recommend said that is for a clip down type. Does it matters or do I need to look for a different model?
Is the http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MAA%2D9%2D26902&N=700+401370+324729+115&autoview=sku - Mallory Marine 9-26902 is the one I need? They said is for Marine with the screw down type. While I am working on that area, do you recommend replacing the cap or cables. They seem to be fine but my boat has been neglected for years. |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 2:29pm
| I was reading the maintenance manual and it says to lubricate the distributor. What kind of oil/grease you guys use. Has anybody done this before? |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 3:10pm
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Anthony, I think youre on the right track. Personally, I would not add a DUI or any other electronic distributor for $300+ if I planned to keep the motor stock.
I have to say that I wouldnt bother with one of the EI retrofit kits either, though. A properly tuned up engine will start every bit as nice with points as EI, in my opinion. That means you need to have all your ignition parts in good condition (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, condensor), AND have the dwell and timing set properly. After all that is done, the carb can be dialed in. Both my Skier and Tique have points and they start beautifully- nicer than my '90, in fact. As far as lubricating the distributor goes, I am not sure what sort of grease would be recommended. The only parts I can think of that would need greasing are the weights/springs. ------------- |
Posted By: Luchog
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 4:41pm
I already knew your idea on this one, but wherever this topic is posted there end up with many different solutions so I was looking for some sort of consensus??? But now that I've called your attention, do you know the specifications for the coil Prestolite recommends? So I'll see if the one I got matches or I should get a new one around here. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2095" rel="nofollow - 1980 Ski Nautique Commander 351W |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 4:52pm
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Thanks Tim,
As far as the maintenance I guess I found the information in the manual. I wonder how often this needs to be done. Oil the wick (center) with SAE-10W engine oil. Any thoughts? 
|
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 5:04pm
Here ia another excerpt from the owners manual:
Any thoughts? I never heard of this before. |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 5:15pm
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Luciano, follow the instructions on both accounts! If the Prestolite kit says to bypass the resistor, then bypass it. I dont know the specs on thier coil, but I suspect you could find an equivalent locally. SkiDIM would know for sure.
Anthony, good stuff- I should follow that maintenance advice. Ive got 2 dizzys that are/were frozen up, so an ounce of prevention should go a long ways. ------------- |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 6:21pm
| Glad this info might help. What do they mean by apply small amount of grease on the distributor cam surface? Is that inside the distributor or do I need to remove it to do this PM. I am not getting the term "distributor cam surface". |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 7:22pm
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Anthony,
The distributor cam is what the wear block on the points rub on opening and closing them. A good set of premium points used to come with a small ampule of lube! BTW, Just as Tim has stated, reliability improves with a decent tune up and having all the other parts in good condition. The EI conversion isn't going to do it!! I've bragged about it before - I gave my 312 a tune up when I bought it and haven't touched it since. That was around 1980 !!! Also, the EI's aren't trouble free. If they go you're stuck swimming. If points go, you can take a nail file to them to at least get home! Have you been over on PN again listening to all of the gadget BS again???? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 7:38pm
 But, but, but... do you about an EI conversion going bad? I thought they were more reliable, better starting, better efficiency... For know my boat runs great, except for running out of gas, but it has a new pump and hopefully that was the problem. I guess I will wait until the points goes bad.
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Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 7:51pm
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Anthony - Points are really cheap - you can get them at NAPA. No reason to ever let them go totally bad! ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 7:52pm
Have you ever bought something Billy Mays has pitched?? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: BuffaloBFN
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 8:00pm
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Pete, the Dow closed below 8 today...better let him spend his money! LOL ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2331&sort=&pagenum=12&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - 1988 BFN-sold "It's a Livin' Thing...What a Terrible Thing to Lose" ELO |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 8:39pm
What's wrong with Billy Mays I buys all of his stuff. I stick to the points until it becomes a headache. Wife is complaining on how much I am spending. I get it... 
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Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 8:47pm
Check the condition of all the parts, and set the dwell and timing! Ive had ignition module fail on me. I was boatless for a few weeks while I waited on parts. ------------- |
Posted By: boat dr
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 8:53pm
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Timmy share with the rest as to the brand that failed and why it took so long to receive a replacement ........Boat dr ------------- boat dr /diaries/details.asp?ID=4631 - 1949 Dart /diaries/details.asp?ID=1533 - 1964 American Skier |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-19-2008 at 9:13pm
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My Prestolite conversion failed.
It took a few weeks to get a replacement because I didnt want to purchase another retrofit kit. Performance Distributors took a few weeks to custom build my DUI. ------------- |