1972 Mercruiser 165 inline 6 electronic ignition upgrade

[72 Chesapeake]

I was planning to upgrade the points and condenser to the pertronix system. I was advised by them that i would need to wire the +side of the ignitor to another 12v source since there is a resistor wire in the coil circuit. Since this model has no electric choke and a single wire alternator, where should i connect this wire? I was thinking maybe the starter solenoid if there is a key on hot wire but not sure. If anyone has advice or has dealt with please advise, thanks

 

[achris]

I added a 'home-made' PE Scorpio II CDI to my original engine, also a 1972 '165'.

Given that engine is now 26 years gone, I can't remember exactly how I got switched 12v to the box, but I suspect I opened the engine wiring loom, just behind the 9 pin canon plug (the one that runs up to the instrument console) and soldered a wire in on that. Having had a look at the circuit for that engine, I wouldn't have been able to do it any other way.. You're looking for the white wire.

Chris..........

 

[CamaroMan]

electric choke wire? otherwise you will have to fish around. Option 2 is to wire in a relay and use the old coil wire as the "switch" then, and put a label on it - id stay with points. Much more reliable, elec is ok but points are dead nuts reliable if replaced with quality parts.

just my 02

 

[achris]

...- id stay with points. Much more reliable, elec is ok but points are dead nuts reliable if replaced with quality parts.

just my 02

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: You have GOT to be joking, right?

In the last 2 weeks I have answered at least 4 'no spark' threads, and all with points. Corrosion between the contact faces makes these ancient relics totally UN-reliable.

In this day and age, having points on an engine is totally pointless.

I ditched points in 1982, when I built my own capacitor discharge ignition systems. I added them to my cars and boat. The difference, and reliability, was so good I had friends asking me to build one them so they could put them on their own cars and boats. And by 'build', I wound the transformers and etched the circuit boards myself.

Points reliable? Don't make me laugh!

Chris.........