'89 Merc 3.0 - electronic ignition conversion PNs

[Tube1]

Hi everyone, I have a '89 3.0 that's still running the conventional points ignition setup. I'm wanting to upgrade to a electronic ignition conversion kit (and flamethrower coil).

It's evident that we're well past the days of being able to walk into NAPA and pick up a points and condenser set for $10. Any point set similar to OE quality (sierra/etc) are close to $40, so I'd rather just bite the bullet and modernize the setup.

Question is, can anyone help me identify the actual PNs I need for this kit? I've done extensive research on this forum, but any discussion that provides part numbers is extremely outdated and the links are dead/obsolete.

I'm fairly certain I need the Pertronix 1146A, but don't know anything past that.

I'm 99% sure I have a Delco distributor- if anyone knows where to look to verify this, I'd appreciate it.

 

[matt167]

You need a Delco Voyager EST distributor unless you want a setup less reliable than points ( which are very reliable ).

Pertronix has been known to leave people paddling. The Delco Voyager distributors are great except there’s a small issue that the timing advance is based around newer motors as the cylinder heads changed and the older motors take a little more advance. You might loose a little power

 

[Scott Danforth]

a good set of points will last 20+ years with normal annual maintenance. That is what I would run.

I agree with Matt, Pertronix has had 3 out of 3 failures for me

 

[Lou C]

The points now in my distributor I installed in 2016. It starts right up and runs fine. It's not like when we had cars with points and drove12,000 miles a year that would wear down the rubbing block and the gap would be too small (dwell angle too big). Most recreational boats don't get used near that much. Now in commercial use I can see it. I don't think I paid $40 for a point and condenser set up for my OMC, I'll check though.
Points and condenser are approx $15
cap is $45
rotor is $18
I actually replace the cap n rotor fairly often because of corrosion
but that is the same with electronic
also on OMCs you need a different ESA if you go to an electonic distributor. Prob not on Merc.
so what I do is check em each year for burning and rubbing block wear. I put a bit of grease on the cam, a few drops of motor oil on the wick in the distributor shaft (lubes the weights and springs underneath) and check dwell, timing and idle. If good I leave it alone. If the contacts on the cap are corroded, I replace the cap and rotor, that's it. Even spark plugs, I just clean em, they never seem to wear out. Just not enough hrs. over time.

 

[cyclops222]

Electronic anything is called the best thing since bread.
Buy a cheap Dwell Meter and magnifying glasses. You can now ACCURATELY troubleshoot any loss of ignition spark in your engine. Points capacitator H V coil and the voltage dropping resistor. You can carry a full set.
Or get a fully computerized ignition system. That no one can service. If your engine losses sparks.

 

[Scott06]

Would stay away from pertonix this is a delco kit that is oem quality

3.0L Delco Voyager EST Marine Electronic Distributor Kit

Genuine 3.0L GM Delco Voyager EST marine electronic distributor kit. Made for ALL 3.0L and 2.5L marine engines made from 1967-current. Excellent replacement kit for pre-1990 "points" distributor and coil. This distributor and kit are U.S Coast Guard Appro

www.michiganmotorz.com