generator12
Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2010
- Messages
- 666
Yes, infant mortality, as we say in the maintenance trade.
Been reworking an old ('86) Four Winns and it's 170 Mercruiser. New interior, Smart-tabs, new charging system (Hunn-Finn conversion to a Delco alternator), and Pertronix ignition to replace the breaker points.
Finally got her out today to test everything and found:
1. The charging system worked fine - 13 to 14 volts all day.
2. The Smart-tabs were a big improvement, as I could plane in less time and at lower throttle, and didn't have to zig-zag at low throttle.
3. The interior upgrades (New seats, motor cover, etc.) impressed the lady, which is a BIG advantage in numerous ways...!
4. My Pertronix pooped out.
Been starting her in the driveway (muffs) for about six weeks to check all my upgrades and the ignition system showed no signs of malfunction. But today I got her under load for the first time and:
1. As I approached 4000 RPM, she began to bog - run-stop-run-stop.
2. I throttled back and this reduced, but then began to occur at lower RPMs.
3. Soon I was unable to accelerate, as she backfired and chugged whenever I pressed the throttle.
4. Finally I tried to bring her down to an idle, but she stalled as I did so, and would not start.
5. Checked for fuel in the carb (it was there).
6. Had the lady work the ignition key and checked for spark at the no. 1 plug wire (it wasn't there).
5. Replaced the new "Flame-Thrower" coil with the original, which I had aboard as a safety measure. -- No help.
6. Pulled the "Igniter II" ignition module and magnet out and reinstalled the original breaker plate with the original points and condenser. She started right up and ran the rest of the afternoon without incident.
I was fortunate that the weather was good, that someone in this forum had suggested keeping the old stuff in the boat when first running new stuff (and that I had seen the post!), and that the lady was patient.
I'll be in touch with the vendor tomorrow regarding a replacement.
Thought you might be interested.
Been reworking an old ('86) Four Winns and it's 170 Mercruiser. New interior, Smart-tabs, new charging system (Hunn-Finn conversion to a Delco alternator), and Pertronix ignition to replace the breaker points.
Finally got her out today to test everything and found:
1. The charging system worked fine - 13 to 14 volts all day.
2. The Smart-tabs were a big improvement, as I could plane in less time and at lower throttle, and didn't have to zig-zag at low throttle.
3. The interior upgrades (New seats, motor cover, etc.) impressed the lady, which is a BIG advantage in numerous ways...!
4. My Pertronix pooped out.
Been starting her in the driveway (muffs) for about six weeks to check all my upgrades and the ignition system showed no signs of malfunction. But today I got her under load for the first time and:
1. As I approached 4000 RPM, she began to bog - run-stop-run-stop.
2. I throttled back and this reduced, but then began to occur at lower RPMs.
3. Soon I was unable to accelerate, as she backfired and chugged whenever I pressed the throttle.
4. Finally I tried to bring her down to an idle, but she stalled as I did so, and would not start.
5. Checked for fuel in the carb (it was there).
6. Had the lady work the ignition key and checked for spark at the no. 1 plug wire (it wasn't there).
5. Replaced the new "Flame-Thrower" coil with the original, which I had aboard as a safety measure. -- No help.
6. Pulled the "Igniter II" ignition module and magnet out and reinstalled the original breaker plate with the original points and condenser. She started right up and ran the rest of the afternoon without incident.
I was fortunate that the weather was good, that someone in this forum had suggested keeping the old stuff in the boat when first running new stuff (and that I had seen the post!), and that the lady was patient.
I'll be in touch with the vendor tomorrow regarding a replacement.
Thought you might be interested.