Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

[slimmons1998]

I have recently purchased my very first boat, 1983 Glastron SX 190. It has a 3.8L OMC engine with points. I am wanting to convert the points over to electronic ignition. Does anyone have a recommendation or links to a place that sells this? I have searched google and many other places with no luck.

 

[ButchC]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

Pertronix are good conversion units.

Try http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/marine.htm

ButchC

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

Thanks Butch! I will give them a look. I am new to the boating scene and trying to learn all I can.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

No marine electronic conversion exists for the IBM7014 distributor in your Chevrolet 229 Marine engine (OMC 3.8, Mercruiser MR185V6, VP-AQ175).
You are stuck with points.
Due to the semi-even unique firing pattern of the 229, and phase out in 1985, a marine electronic system was never introduced.
You could put other 6 cyl. Prestolite pertronix kits in (e.g. 4.3), but the firing will be 12 deg advanced on 3 cylinders and 12 deg retarded on the other 3.
Pertronix will custom make you a trigger ring (or they used to), but it's expensive.

If you do go that route, order a half dozen and let me know.... I'd like a couple.

If you must have points, your only off the shelf option is automotive HEI, (1983/84 Malibu, Monte Carlo ElCamino etc with the 229) which is not really safe, nor does it have the right advance curve. It'll run fine, but there's the explosion risk.

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

Will this work for my application?

http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/chevrole1.htm

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

nope, that's for a 4.3 IBM7021 distributor with even firing.
from TDC the spark is distributed as follows on a 4.3:

120, 120, 120, 120 120, 120

your 3.8 has the following firing pattern from TDC:

108, 132, 108, 132, 108, 132

If you look at the tag on your distributor, you will see it is a presolite IBM7014, not listed there for this reason

You can put a 4.3 Pertronix in and the engine will run (and fairly well believe it or not), but it won't be right and you risk detonation damage to three of the 6 pistons.

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

This is what I got from PerTronix:

Shane, correct me if I'm wrong but I think you are looking for an Ignitor
points replacement kit. If so, Ignitor kits are distributor specific and I
need you to send me the distributor manufacturer, the number stamped into
the housing, system voltage, and system ground. I will then email you with
the product information you are requesting.

Thanks, PerTronix

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

let us know what he says about the IBM7014...ask how much to make a custom trigger pls.

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

Shane, do you mean can we make a custom kit for your distributor. The answer in probably yes? We would need you to send the distributor here for evaluation. Typically the cost is $300 to $500.



PerTronix



-----Original Message-----
From: shane simmons [mailto:slimmons1998@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 11:10 AM
To: Customer Service
Subject: Re: General Website Feedback/Question



Do you make a custom trigger for this?



From: Customer Service <contact@pertronix.com>
To: shane simmons <slimmons1998@yahoo.com>
Sent: Fri, January 22, 2010 1:05:47 PM
Subject: RE: General Website Feedback/Question

Shane, I show that distributor as an odd fire distributor which we do not have a kit for.



Sorry, PerTronix



-----Original Message-----
From: shane simmons [mailto:slimmons1998@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 10:51 AM
To: Customer Service
Subject: Re: General Website Feedback/Question



IBM7014 ? I think this is correct? 12V system



From: Customer Service <contact@pertronix.com>
To: slimmons1998@yahoo.com
Sent: Fri, January 22, 2010 12:47:50 PM
Subject: RE: General Website Feedback/Question

Shane, correct me if I'm wrong but I think you are looking for an Ignitor
points replacement kit. If so, Ignitor kits are distributor specific and I
need you to send me the distributor manufacturer, the number stamped into
the housing, system voltage, and system ground. I will then email you with
the product information you are requesting.

Thanks, PerTronix

-----Original Message-----
From: PerTronix Product Support [mailto:info@pertronix.com]


Jan 22, 2010

Shane Simmons

I have a 1983 Glastron boat with a Chevrolet 229 Marine engine (OMC 3.8,
Mercruiser MR185V6, VP-AQ175). Do you make a HEI conversion kit for this
model?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

$300-$500 wil buy a awful lot of point sets...'nutcase

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

for $500, I'd go with a 4BBL and intake. then we're talking money well spent.
Those little 229's love a quadrajet.

get a used marine QJ and freshen it, and a 90deg V6 intake (factory highrise cast 4.3 from an Astrovan).. good for an extra 15 to 20HP

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

any links to a place that may have what you are suggesting? I did email a guy named Marvin there and he said it was $350 for a custom setup and 4-6 weeks turn around. I will probably do that just so I dont have to worry about points anymore.

 

[rbh]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

ask around here to find out who else wants one maybe you can get a bulk discount.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

Wow that scared of points ? Run that bad on points ? Gone run the same with a pertronix. Weird. :redface:

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: Electronic ignition conversion HELP!!!

Not scared of points, just never dealt with them. I remember my dad always messing with them and it seemed like it was a lot of trouble. I did read the guide here on how to set them up so I will try that before I send my distributor in.

 

[TechnicallyReal]

I know this is super old but anyone happen to know if any options appeared in the past 14 years? I have two boats with Volvo Penta AQ175 / GM 229 engines and would love to convert them.

 

[Scott06]

I know this is super old but anyone happen to know if any options appeared in the past 14 years? I have two boats with Volvo Penta AQ175 / GM 229 engines and would love to convert them.

it is super old you would be better off starting your own thread as the mods will close this one shortly.

If a delco est fits your engine that is best way to go