88 4.3 Ignition Questions Points --> Petronix... Worth it?

[Levinz11]

So I have this old boat that has been running great. I have changed all fluids...greased all grease loving parts...changed plugs and wires...blah blah blah. It has developed a little stumble when gassing it out of the hole. Just a short gurgle, then it "catches" and goes like it should. Getting 4200 at WOT and 43 mph. I just want to fix this stumble issue so I am thinking....full tune up. For arguments sake lets focus on the ignition for now. I have no clue how old the points are nor have I even taken the cap off yet.

Mind you I have never owned a vehicle that had points ignition, so my question is should I:

1. Buy a tune up kits with condensor, coil, cap, points, etc. I will need a dwell meter as well and learn how to use that. Should run about $100 for everything.


2. Buy the Petronix kit. $85 ish I think. I have concerns about the ESA working.

What am I missing here? Are there other things I need to account for if I go with an electronic ignition.

I was hoping someone who had done the conversion had a link to the exact kit they bought and some brief instructions on the install and their experience.

Or maybe you have an argument for keeping the original system in place.

Thank in advance (no pun intended)

 

[Lou C]

Re: 88 4.3 Ignition Questions Points --> Petronix... Worth it?

I still have the old points system in my Cobra. As long as the distributor itself is not worn out (you would know this because the dwell would change with rpms) it's fine to keep the points provided you don't mind changing them every few years. I have found that I can run a set of points about 4 seasons and then they need to be replaced. I grew up with cars with points so for me it's not a big deal to replace and adjust them. It's an easy system to troubleshoot and repair. You need that ESA system to work for the drive to shift into neutral properly.
Setting them is not a big deal. You get it close with the feeler gauge like we did 40 years ago and then hook up the well meter and crank over the engine with a remote starter switch and check it. Then check it with the dwell meter again with the engine running. Next set timing, then idle. Worked 40+ years ago still works today.

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: 88 4.3 Ignition Questions Points --> Petronix... Worth it?

I am sticking with point on my 89 4.3. I change them every 5 years or so and never had a issue. I worry about messing up the shift stuff. From what you describe you might want to replace the accelerator pump on the carb. Your description matches a accelerator pump fail more than a electrical fail.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: 88 4.3 Ignition Questions Points --> Petronix... Worth it?

You know after reading more threads about this topic I think I'll keep the point system. It's cheap, reliable and I guess I need to learn it sometime.

Thanks for the tip about the carb. Going to have to learn about rebuilding one of those, too. I was born in the fuel injection era.

 

[shortyjacobs]

Re: 88 4.3 Ignition Questions Points --> Petronix... Worth it?

You know after reading more threads about this topic I think I'll keep the point system. It's cheap, reliable and I guess I need to learn it sometime.

Thanks for the tip about the carb. Going to have to learn about rebuilding one of those, too. I was born in the fuel injection era.

I rebuilt my rochester 4 barrel quadrajet last year. I too am a child of the fuel injection/electronic ignition age, so all this was new to me. A carb rebuild isn't hard, persay, just finicky. Take your time, go slow, inspect everything as you take it apart, take pictures, and reassembly is easy. I was terrified of doing it, but after doing it once I figure I could do it again blind.

Unfortunately, MY hole-shot stumble is still there...

 

[Levinz11]

Re: 88 4.3 Ignition Questions Points --> Petronix... Worth it?

My 4.3 has a 2 barrel Rochester on it. The downloadable manual says it should have a Holley?? I have read that when rebuilding a Holley you really need to use their brand name kit. Same for the Rochester?

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: 88 4.3 Ignition Questions Points --> Petronix... Worth it?

Use a marine grade carb kit. I tried a over the counter kit from a auto store and it didn't work right. Re-did with a kit from the marine dealer and all was well. The only difference I could see was one of the float parts and one of the gaskets were slightly different. How it ran was way different.