Strange Previous Owner Hack Job..?

Mark R.

Seaman
Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
58
Attempting to resurrect 1996 SeaRay 175 BRXL with 4.3LX Gen+ engine (S/N: 0F803561).
All new outdrive seals, impeller, gimbal bearing, bellows, shift cable, battery, fluids, etc.
Unknown history. Preparing for a lake trial this week. It runs really well on the garden hose.
But I just noticed an odd looking modification to the distributor wires (see the attached pics).
Someone has chopped off the top five wires on the ignition module connector.
Also there's a blue "squeeze-on" splice connector that is clearly not original either.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about what might have been done here..?!?
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Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,497
just a guess but a green/white wire is usually for the shift interupt,Looks like a different module was installed
 

Mark R.

Seaman
Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
58
just a guess but a green/white wire is usually for the shift interupt,Looks like a different module was installed
I'm wondering if it's a Thunderbolt V distributor on a Thunderbolt IV system...
The engine is currently being controlled by a Thunderbolt IV module (see pic).
Is there a way to tell from the serial number which system it originally came with.?
 

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Scott06

Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
7,456
.
I believe it is actually connected to a Thunderbolt V ignition module...
It's a small flat square mounted on the rear of the distributor housing.
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With spliced connections did someone swap in a delco est ? Or it is a TB maybe spliced a differnt generation igntion module as many are no longer available
 

Fun Times

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
9,348
Yes by your engine year the ignition module was a thunderbolt 5 system…you show a 4 system…

Item 34 would of been original,

Here’s the Merc parts catalog to your serial number,
 
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