iboats - The #1 Store For Everything Boating
 
  #1  
Old October 29th, 2007, 08:56 PM
STIK GUITAR STIK GUITAR is offline
Cadet
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 11
Default Mercury distributor fired ignition versus powerpack ignition "HELP"

Im going to buy an old Mercury 115 inline 6 tower of power outboard. Should i buy one with the distributor or power pack Please i need your input
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old October 29th, 2007, 11:37 PM
CharlieB CharlieB is offline
Lieutenant Commander
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wright City, MO
Posts: 1,955
Default Re: Mercury distributor fired ignition versus powerpack ignition "HELP"

They ALL work, some the parts are more readily available then others. All ignition parts are costly. Distributor parts are getting harder to get.

If I had the choice, the later years with two ignition modules, CDI makes everything except the flywheel. No problem getting good ignition parts when required.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old October 30th, 2007, 09:56 AM
Chris1956 Chris1956 is offline
Fleet Admiral
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,010
Wink Re: Mercury distributor fired ignition versus powerpack ignition "HELP"

Stik, The six coil ADI ignition is standard and still used on new outboards. No one still uses distributors on outboards. I recommend you go with the ADI, if you have a choice.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old November 1st, 2007, 11:08 AM
Texasmark's Avatar
Texasmark Texasmark is offline
Rear Admiral
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: N. Texas, USA
Posts: 4,372
Default Re: Mercury distributor fired ignition versus powerpack ignition "HELP"

Having had both, CD is electronic and hence zero wear. Distributor had points to change periodically and a drive belt, and didn't put out the fast high voltage the modern CD ignition did in later years.

CD for me in a heartbeat.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old November 1st, 2007, 11:46 AM
OldMercsRule's Avatar
OldMercsRule OldMercsRule is online now
Captain
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,291
Default Re: Mercury distributor fired ignition versus powerpack ignition "HELP"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texasmark View Post
Having had both, CD is electronic and hence zero wear. Distributor had points to change periodically and a drive belt, and didn't put out the fast high voltage the modern CD ignition did in later years.

CD for me in a heartbeat.

Mark
Hey Mark, I have only one non distributer, (my Son's engine), the rest are all distributer towers. Due to my familiarity with the old girls I favor the distributor fired ones. The points fired only the pre 1967 models, (I agree with you those were a pain as the points were supposed to be set every 100 hours, and there was a battery discharge issue with the early Thunderbolt ignitions, (pre 1967 on the largest pre 1968 on the smaller engines), that made them problematic, (IMHO). After 1968 they were sparked by an electric "trigger" in the distributor that never needed to be set. All of mine have been very reliable, a 1976 1500 I had to rebuild, (the only inline6 I ever went to that trouble needed a new trigger as it lost spark), all the rest of my towers ran for many many hours without any problems at all. It maybe irrational fear of the unknown with my son's 1981 115 (with the two switchboxes and the six coils) which runs fine so far, but I have read many threads here about problems with the electronics on the six coil engines and they are expensive to fix. JR
__________________
A proud n' rare Independent Cornservative from the Seattle Metro area, who runs the finest old black boat anchors money can buy!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1985 Mercury 115 inline 6 " Need Your Advice" " HELP " STIK GUITAR Mercury & Mariner Outboards 14 July 15th, 2009 02:10 PM
Towing In "D" versus "4th" Gear w/Tow Mode scubatrooper Trailers and Towing 10 April 24th, 2006 05:55 PM
Anyone know why my tach pins at redline when ignition is "ON" ? SeaKaye12 Mercury & Mariner Outboards 8 August 22nd, 2005 06:26 AM
Merc Mallory distributor advance""need specs"" ottawamerc Mercruiser, OMC, Volvo & other I/O & Inboard Engines & Outdrives 2 August 20th, 2005 09:25 AM
"momentary loss of ignition that last 3-4minutes" r0nker Force & Chrysler Outboards 2 July 8th, 2003 02:52 PM

iboats Forum Directory
Over 100,000 forum posts organized by topic
Outboard Motor Topics
Mercury Outboards
Johnson Outboards
Evinrude Outboards
Force Outboards
Yamaha Outboards
Mariner Outboards
Suzuki Outboards
Honda Outboards
Chrysler Outboards
Tohatsu Outboards
Nissan Outboards
Outboard Motors: non-repair
Vintage Outboards

I/O and Inboard Topics
MerCruiser
OMC I/O, Inboard
Volvo Penta

Propeller Help
Boat Propellers

Boat Repair and Products
Boat Building and Repair
Fiberglass Boat Repair
Marine Electronics
Boat Trailers and Towing
Boat Names
Boat Covers
Boat Parts

Boating Activities Talk
Boating Topics and Questions
Boating Activities and Destinations
Boating Blunders
Boat Shows
Wakeboarding
Water Skiing

Fishing Discussions
Freshwater Fishing
Saltwater Fishing

Boat Type Topics
Aluminum Boats
Bass Boats
Bowrider Boats
Center Console Boats
Cruiser Boats
Cuddy Cabin Boats
Deckboats
Fishing Boats
Fish and Ski Boats
Houseboats
Jet Boats
Jon Boats
Pontoon Boats
Powerboats
PWC Forum
Ski Boats
New Boats
Used Boats

Boat Manufacturers
Boats 250+ Manufacturers
Bayliner Boats
Sea Ray Boats
Zodiac Boats



Outboards

Power Heads

Lower Units

Propellers

Inflatable Boats

Boat Manuals

Engine Parts

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:01 PM.