Thunderbolt vs. HEI

Tim Bell

Cadet
Joined
Aug 20, 2012
Messages
12
Tired of fighting with Thunderbolt ignition on 91 MerCruiser 5.0 Would like to know how a HEI dist. would work? What would I have to do about the vacuume advance?

Tim Bell
 

matt167

Captain
Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
3,688
Re: Thunderbolt vs. HEI

Won't, it's not marine rated or ignition protected. Marine HEI's exist but I do not know as they are real marine parts as they come from no major manufactures.. Delco Voyager EST would be a good option if you wish to replace
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,512
Re: Thunderbolt vs. HEI

Tired of fighting with Thunderbolt ignition on 91 MerCruiser 5.0 Would like to know how a HEI dist. would work? What would I have to do about the vacuume advance?

Tim Bell

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Like Matt says, HEI, Ain't an option, but the Voyager is a Great system, at a reasonable price,...
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Thunderbolt vs. HEI

Tired of fighting with Thunderbolt ignition on 91 MerCruiser 5.0 Would like to know how a HEI dist. would work? What would I have to do about the vacuume advance?

Tim Bell

Hi Tim,

The Merc Thunderbolt IV system is recognised as one of the best for marine engines, if not the best. You're having problems with the sensor in the distributor if I recall correctly. Did you check all you main power connection leads, positive AND negative, for clean and tight? Also did you run the troubleshooting flowchart after the second sensor failed?

Chris....
 

Tim Bell

Cadet
Joined
Aug 20, 2012
Messages
12
Re: Thunderbolt vs. HEI

My son was getting to go through the torubleshooting guide on the second sensor and found a bad connection. Problem solved!!! Thanks for the help. It is really a pain to get towed off the lake two times.

Tim
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: Thunderbolt vs. HEI

My son was getting to go through the torubleshooting guide on the second sensor and found a bad connection. Problem solved!!! Thanks for the help. It is really a pain to get towed off the lake two times.

Tim

Thunderbolt IS HEI. It's every bit as good as an HEI and just as reliable. (poor connections happen in the HEI too!)

Glad you found the problem!
 
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