Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

[awdurland]

I have a Volvo Penta AQ 131a w/ a 275 outdrive. I replaced my points with a pertronix ignition and have an idle @ 1000 rpm right off the bat, my idle was about 500 cold and 750 warmed up before upgrade. I have the mix turned out 2 turns and the idle screw the same as per manual. I do not want to adjust my idle screw to compensate, any ideas? My timing is @ 6 degrees btdc.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

You retimed after you added the pertronix?

 

[awdurland]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

I did, re timed to 6 degrees btdc, first time when idle was @ 1000. Then set the idle to 750 which ends up being less than the factory 2 turns out and re timed again. The idle is @ 750 now but the idle screw is not @ the recommended setting. Will this cause a problem?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

All you did was adjust the idle screw(not mixture)to get the idle back? If that's all you did, adding the pertronix really has nothing to do with the idle speed assuming the timing is the same.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

I have the mix turned out 2 turns and the idle screw the same as per manual. I do not want to adjust my idle screw to compensate, any ideas?

Why not? The manual gives you a starting point for the adjustments, to get it close enough to start the engine, then you have to dial in the adjustments with some fine tuning. 2 turns out (or whatever the spec is) is a starting point, but you will have to turn the screws in-out a bit to get it running perfect. Idle mixture screws to get it idling smooth (rich/lean), then the idle speed adjustment to fine tune in the idle speed higher/lower.

I set the idle speed, then the idle mixture, then go back and double check the idle speed, then the mixture, etc. It's a balancing act as the idle mixture settings can affect idle speed, and if you change the idle speed it can affect the idle mixture. You have to "dial it in"

(BTW, I've never worked on a VP AQ131, but have tuned lots of carbs)

 

[antsmands]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

Why not? The manual gives you a starting point for the adjustments, to get it close enough to start the engine, then you have to dial in the adjustments with some fine tuning. 2 turns out (or whatever the spec is) is a starting point, but you will have to turn the screws in-out a bit to get it running perfect. Idle mixture screws to get it idling smooth (rich/lean), then the idle speed adjustment to fine tune in the idle speed higher/lower.

I set the idle speed, then the idle mixture, then go back and double check the idle speed, then the mixture, etc. It's a balancing act as the idle mixture settings can affect idle speed, and if you change the idle speed it can affect the idle mixture. You have to "dial it in"

(BTW, I've never worked on a VP AQ131, but have tuned lots of carbs)

+1 on the adjustments!

 

[awdurland]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

Great! I like it when I get the answer I wanted. Thanks for the help. I t does start and run much smoother now.

 

[YeboGogo]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

I installed one. Big regret.

I could have bought a lot of points for the price of the pertronix.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

I installed on port engine. Have one for Starboard engine but haven't installed yet. IMHO not having to deal with the points is worth the price to me...

 

[awdurland]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

I will have an opinion after tomorrow after a day up on Lake Ontario. I have my points and condenser in the pertronix box just in case anything goes wrong. I dont want to have to limp back in on my kicker if I can help it.

 

[skipdow]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

I can only say great things about my pertronix kit. After installing it I barely bump the key and it starts.

 

[awdurland]

Re: Did electronic ignition upgrade really help?

SO I ran it today, It seems like it has dropped a few hundred rpm @ wot, and top speed is a couple miles an hour less. It starts easier and runs a little smoother seems much quieter as well. Anyone have an idea why it would loose what it did?