Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

[trent39]

Ok... I have recently removed a motor from a 1972 Glastron Sierra V-212... the engine was labeled Glasstron 210HP but I dont think thats what it is... There is a classicglastron.com which a bit confusing to cross reference but according to casting numbers on the block its a 1972 GM 307 (so im not too sure???) ... I took it all apart cleaned it up and replaced most of the gaskets... I have been trying to figure out out to get it to run in my garage just to hear it fire up and run for a minute... It will turn over and the starter cranks... But it seems I am not getting any spark from my distributor... I know the coil sparks because I tested it... I took the ignition module off my Thunderbolt IV system into an auto parts store and had it tested... The gentlemen told me it failed but he wasnt sure if that was due to the system he has not being compatible with my module... What I would like to know if there is a way to convert my system without the ignition module??? Is there a distributor I can use which will cause the coil to spark when it needs to??? Or if anyone has any ideas to get the motor running on an engine stand??? I am building a boat from scratch and I would like to know for sure my engine is where it needs to be before dropping it into my boat... Let me know wht you think!!!

Thanx

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

Welcome aboard Trent.
First thing you need to do is go up to the Adults only sticky at the top of the forum and read the first post. Without knowing the Engine/Drive manufacturer, year, and some other stuff, there is no way to help you out.
Glastron does not do engines, they purchaced engines from Merc, Volvo, or OMC for their boats. To be honest, I don't think a 307 has ever been used.
We need lots of info to help.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

In all cases I've seen, the "glastron" drive system was simply a Volvo drive and an engine du jour with Glastron logo valve covers.

 

[captmello]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

I think you've got a volvo aq210. Made 1970-1972 with the 307.

does your motor have the distributor towards the front of the motor?

Couldn't you use and automotive distributor? stock chevy 307 with breaker point ignition?

However, Volvo doesn't even list the Aq210 on its parts catalog.

Are you sure you want to put that motor in your boat?

 

[trent39]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

That is correct... The valve covers were labeled "Glastron 210 HP"

 

[trent39]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

The distributor is in the back ov the boat... I also want to put that engine in my boat because it was originally in a boat roughly the same size... I also dont plan on ragging my boat out in rough waters!!!

 

[captmello]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

removed for less confusion.


this is a picture of a 1971 Volvo Penta with a 307 according to the guy selling the boat. I'm not an engine expert. Notice the distributor in the front of the engine.

I thought chevy - rear, ford - front when it comes to distributors, but with stuff this old....

Do your exhaust manifolds look like the ones in the photo?

Like Don S mentioned, we're taking shots in the dark without more info. You have any pics? What outdrive came on that Glastron?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

I had a Chevy Caprice years ago (87) with a GM 307. My distro was in the rear.
Chevy blocks are 305's 350's etc...
But GM, (also known as BOP) had their own blocks as well. 307's, anyone remember the olds 350 rocket engine? 455's were all BOP (buick, olds, pontywreck) engine.
Now I can't say for sure what you have there because it's not in front of me. But if the distro is in the front my best guess from my chair is that it's not a Chevy or GM engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

I don't know what you have, in that boat, but the Volvo AQ210 is a 307 engine, and found the product bulletin on it.
http://vppneuapps.volvo.com/ww/PIE/...2-13-20-00&t=PDF1P&a=7760120&p=T416&d=Product Bulletins&s=473422&lang=en-GB
And the 307 does have the distributor on the front of the engine.
Now, you say your block casting numbers confirm the block is a 307, but the distributor is in the back. Hmmmmmm, how can that happen, sure it didn't say 305.

Next problem, a Thunderbolt IV distributor is Mercruiser, not Volvo. Are you sure it's a TB4 and not a Thunderbolt V system? Is it wired in properly, and are all the parts there? Why would you take a a part like the module to an auto store to be checked out? And why would they even try to check it and possibly destroying it without even knowing what it was??????
There is no automotive equivilant to the Thunderbolt ign. system in the Automotive world, it's strictly a Mercruiser marine system.
The Thunderbolt IV ignition system also didn't come out til the 80's

Still need a lot of information, so far all we know is it has 210 on the valve covers and the distributor (Mercruiser) in the back of the engine.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

Ayuh,....


I'll have to come back to this when I have a few minutes,...
Lot's of speculation,+ Bad Info in this thread....

There Are in fact 307cid Chevy small blocks, with the dist. in the back,.. All Chevies are...
And the Vintage is about right...

The picture posted above by Captmello is Not a Chevy, it's a Ford, I don't care What the owner said...

Trent39,...
As everybody is Saying,... We need to track down Exactly what you've got....
The Info you're presenting is Conflicting,+ Doesn't add up...

How about a few Pictures....
Until We know what you have,..
You'll continue to recieve this BAD Info...

 

[QSS]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

I agree with bond-o that looks like a small ford windsor to me.. need more info..

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

I think I have it figured out now. The AQ210 is a Chevy 307, and the distributor is on the back of the engine, but the engine is hooked up to the outdrive backwards. That is, the front of the engine hooks to the drive.
Look in the link to the product manual I posted and blow the picture up. The starter is just under the alternator, which means the flywheel is on the front of the engine. It also has an electric fuel pump.
Sure wish Volvo had a parts breakdown for that setup.but they don't. I wonder why.........................
Still doesn't explain the Thunderbolt ignition. Except it is an early 70's boat with previous ownser that did who knows what to it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

The AQ210 is a Chevy 307, and the distributor is on the back of the engine, but the engine is hooked up to the outdrive backwards. That is, the front of the engine hooks to the drive.
Look in the link to the product manual I posted

Ayuh,....

That's a Mongrel lookin' piece a Pooooo,... Ain't it,..??

I can't imagine dropping that into Any hull,... Muchless a handbuild, by yourself, hull...

I don't care how much of a Cadillac the Volvos are,...

A Mongrel is a Mongrel,+ their a Bytch to work on, muchless find Parts for....

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

I found an owners manual for it, along with the product bulletin. Nothing says it's a Chevy, but the side view of the engine shows plaiinly a blockoff plate over the fuel pump boss, and the 3 bolt bosses for the motor mounts. Not used on this one. Basically, the back ??? Uhhhh, errrrrrr, I mean the front....??? The FLYWHEEL end of the engine has that flywheel cover and motor mount setup similar to the old ChrisCraft inboards. What a PITA setup.

Anyway, go to this link:
http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/glo...ice/publication_search/publication_search.htm
Then type in AQ210A in the engine type box and you can download the manual
For trent, you MUST download it, it has the firing order, and cylinder location in it, which are way different than a standard Chevy.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

My guess is, Volvo tried something, it didn't work, and the dropped it as soon as they found out it was a bad idea. That is why it was only around for 2 years and then gone. Volvo doesn't even have service manuals (paper or .pdf) or even parts sheets on that engine. Was probably one of those "Danged, wish we didn't do that" type things.
Yes, I see a lot of off the wall setups. Some I just tell them we either fix it right or we don't work on it all. In a buisness, you can NOT set yourself up for liability problems.
So many of the people buying OLD boats, have absolutely no idea of what they are buying, except what the seller tells them, and we all know what thats worth.

 

[trent39]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

Ok guys... I just read through all the replies I got from ya'll... I appreciate everything... I did happen to take a picture of the motor for you to take a look at... Yes it is blue... But I was going for a marine look... The hoses for the water circulation are not on right now... But thats not a biggie just yet... The casting numbers on the top of the block are 3970020 GM 2... I dont know if this would help a little bit more... The ignition system is a Thunderbolt IV... That is what the ignition module is showing... I do believe the outdrive portion is Volvo-Penta... But most of the engine parts are Mercruiser (Mercury Marine)... Here is a link of the exact boat the motor came out of http://www.classicglastron.com/72gl-v-212.html ... If you read the description of the boat power it shows nothing about a Volvo-Penta motor... I really hope this gives some more insight of what I have to work with... I am trying to keep the cost of my project low and the I can honestly say that I got a $300 deal (boat, running motor, and trailer)... I am hoping this enough information to get me back to my original question... How am I able to wire this bad boy to just run for a minute on my stand???

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

I do believe the outdrive portion is Volvo-Penta...

Take a picture and post what the outdrive looks like, and the inside too, showing the transom shield and where the engine hooks up.

We have to start somewhere, and so far we have nothing more than the discription of some valve cover decals. With a 270 outdrive, it's very possible to buy a flywheel cover and turn the engine aroung. Your picture shows a lot of Mercruiser parts (Painted black).
Without some pics of stuff put together, and what parts you have laying around the shop to put it together, there is no way of knowing what you have going on. Just a bunch of WAG's.

 

[trent39]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

Look... I think we are thinking too hard about this... I am trying to keep it simple... I know there is a simple solution to this issue and I don't know what it is... Hence the reason I came to iboats... I need a simple wiring solution... Like maybe a special distributor without a module or wire diagrams... I don't know... I need help!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

Look... I think we are thinking too hard about this... I am trying to keep it simple... I know there is a simple solution to this issue and I don't know what it is...

What makes you think that? you have a 307 (NEVER used by Mercruiser) that has a Mercruiser ignition system and manifolds (shown in pic)

If you don't have the firing ordrt right on the distributor, it will never fire right and run. Did you look at the OEM owners manual and look at the firing order and cylinder positions? Is that what your engine is? OR something different. Who knows.
Go up to the Adults only sticky and look up the Merc service manual link. Download manual #9, it covers Thunderbolt IV, nothing on firing order or cylinder numbering on a 307, but still has the troubleshooting methods for the TB4 ignition.

 

[trent39]

Re: Engine Rebuild Ignition System Help!!!

The firing order is casted into the intake manifold... Its also mounted on the rear end of the block to a stainless steal along with 210 L.H., serial number spark plug gaps, distributor 30? dwell, and a couple other things... Also if you look at the block... Its obviouse which is the first cylinder due to the furthest cylinder forward... I know the plug wires are correct... Its not getting the spark pattern that comes from the coil to distributor... But I tested the coil and its got spark... So I have a feeling this was due to communication between distributor and module... But correct me if I'm wrong... Can't I do away with the module and use a certain distributor that communicates with the coil and causes spark at exact time needed for firing order???