Hard plane after switch from points ignition

[havoc_squad]

Anybody know if the interupt circuit on Delco EST distributor is vulnerable to damage if it is shorted to ground if it was not first replaced with 12 volts?

If so, that could explain the distributor module's weird behavior and that would not be covered under warranty because of improper installation.

Many electronic components come with that warning, warranty void if improperly installed.

The Delco EST kit instructions from Michigan Motorz also says the following warning as well:

"If the timing shunt is connected to 12+ volts while attempting to start the engine, the ICM (Ignition Control Module) in the distributor may be damaged and is not covered under warranty. If the engine needs to be restarted while the timing shunt is installed and connected, DISCONNECT the timing shunt before restarting to avoid ICM damage"

They just want me to keep trying modules but I'm not interested in that after seeing others having the same issues all over other forums.

See if marine technicians have good success consistently with it but DIYr's have constant problems.

If so, this is a big red flag that people are not reading the instructions carefully and toasting the electronics in them.

 

[Scott06]

Unfortunately it's a sierra. Which i didn't realize there was a difference between sierra and Delco. Paid cash. Purchased it from someone i know so i should be able to get it refunded eventually. They just want me to keep trying modules but I'm not interested in that after seeing others having the same issues all over other forums.

Generally Sierra is considered better than other aftermarket items but even oem can deliver a bad part

None of it explains why the timing is retarding

 

[kbreks]

Anybody know if the interupt circuit on Delco EST distributor is vulnerable to damage if it is shorted to ground if it was not first replaced with 12 volts?

If so, that could explain the distributor module's weird behavior and that would not be covered under warranty because of improper installation.

Many electronic components come with that warning, warranty void if improperly installed.

The Delco EST kit instructions from Michigan Motorz also says the following warning as well:

"If the timing shunt is connected to 12+ volts while attempting to start the engine, the ICM (Ignition Control Module) in the distributor may be damaged and is not covered under warranty. If the engine needs to be restarted while the timing shunt is installed and connected, DISCONNECT the timing shunt before restarting to avoid ICM damage"



See if marine technicians have good success consistently with it but DIYr's have constant problems.

If so, this is a big red flag that people are not reading the instructions carefully and toasting the electronics in them.

I followed the instructions to a T. Actually had the sierra tech support tell me to go ahead and connect to 12v before starting to see what happens. Said i cant make it worse. Guy i purchased it from has had a couple modules go bad on him. Another supplier says he refuses to use sierra modules and will only ise delco modules (which aren't readily available anymore) because of all the issues he has had with sierra ones from factory.

 

[kbreks]

Put the points dizzy back in. 32⁰ total with 8⁰ base. Cant understand why the manual wants 12⁰ base for points dizzy with about 28-30⁰ total. And 8⁰ base with 22⁰ total for thunderbolt.

 

[cyclops222]

Each healthy engine WANTS a specific timing at idle speed and at WOT.

 

[kbreks]

Points distributor back in. Went for a ride. 8⁰ base. 32⁰ total advance. Doesnt line up with any specs or manuals i can find but runs and planes extremely well. Until the weights stick. Will be looking to just have this one rebuilt at this point.

 

[kbreks]

Contacted the place i purchased the sierra kit from. they just want me to keep screwing around to make the kit work. so i guess at this point im stuck with a really expensive paper weight.

 

[nola mike]

I'm confused...is the new distributor pulling the timing back or just not advancing? Should be 20' or so full advance. Just for fun, what happens when you set the points to 20-25'?

 

[kbreks]

I'm confused...is the new distributor pulling the timing back or just not advancing? Should be 20' or so full advance. Just for fun, what happens when you set the points to 20-25'?

the new distributor doesnt advance all the way. so i ignored base timing and just set the EST to 27 degrees total. when i hit high rpms, the timing would drop down. same with 1500 rpm, the timing would start to advance and then start to retard. im not sure what happens if i set the points one to 20-25 as that would be setting the base timing at 4 degrees ATDC - 1 degree BTDC. i know we set it where it was happiest at on the muffs in the driveway. i cant water test every scenario unfortunately as im not that close to water and the closest place is $32 per launch.

 

[kbreks]

Hopefully final update. Put the Sierra EST back in with a loaner (genuine Delco module) base timing at 12 degrees according to valve cover. hit around 24-25 degrees total timing. Boat seems to run as it should. Bad parts from factory really make things difficult. Thanks for everyone's help/input, i have learned a lot.

 

[Scott06]

Hopefully final update. Put the Sierra EST back in with a loaner (genuine Delco module) base timing at 12 degrees according to valve cover. hit around 24-25 degrees total timing. Boat seems to run as it should. Bad parts from factory really make things difficult. Thanks for everyone's help/input, i have learned a lot.

at least you persevered. Too much chit out there now and tough to wade through what are good parts and what dont work.

At least now if you have any issues on the water you know the set up intimately ...

 

[kbreks]

at least you persevered. Too much chit out there now and tough to wade through what are good parts and what dont work.

At least now if you have any issues on the water you know the set up intimately ...

before this, i had never swapped a distributor. ive done it enough now that i did it on the water.

 

[Scott06]

before this, i had never swapped a distributor. ive done it enough now that i did it on the water.

you never learn as much as you do when chit doesn't work.

 

[kbreks]

you never learn as much as you do when chit doesn't work.

I've always said best way to learn is when you break your own stuff. I just don't like the cost aspect of it aha.