hei versus points guestion

[Benny1963]

have been building motors from stock to wild for cars for years
was wondering why i see so many post on here for points on hi dollar boats
im a car guy and outboard owner was wondering why so many people are useing point systems when they dont compare to electronic
you can buy a hei for 100 or so dollars igave up point a long time ago
is it a marine issue or what new to this side have tons of building motors
but have never owned inboard i want one because i can build 400hp cheap
compared to what i spend keeping a 150evin outboard going.
thanks bennyb192

 

[wire2]

Re: hei versus points guestion

Yes, it's a marine issue.
An HEI is not sealed nor Coast Guard approved.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: hei versus points guestion

Because they are OEM.....
Plenty of people convert to Pertronix.....​

 

[thunderroad]

Re: hei versus points guestion

No question about how nice HEI is for autos. On my boat, a 69 Mercruiser 160 (inline 6 Chev 250) if I'm on the lake and hit the key and it cranks but doesn't fire, I can probably figure out the problem and have it running again in minutes..at the very least in some sort of "limp home" mode. If it had HEI...I would have no idea what to do. Now I'm sure they are more reliable than conventional, but things do happen. I'd never want to go back to conventional in my truck, but I like the points in my boat.
I carry a spare set of points, a condenser, the right size screwdriver and a small feeler gauge set in a ziplock bag in my glove box. I wouldn't even have to drag out the main toolbox from the fuel tank compartment in the bow. Have never needed them yet.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: hei versus points guestion

I agree 100% with Thunderroad.

On a sunday afternoon you can deal with breakers and condensers.How would you approach solid state?

DHP

 

[MikDee]

Re: hei versus points guestion

benney because a lot of boats come with points O.E., Pertronics is the preferred upgrade, or Merc. Thunderbolt electronic. Either way, you're only talking 5k max. rpm on most I/O engines anyway, so it's no big deal.
Not like a car, in a boat you have to build all your max. horsepower within 5k rpm.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: hei versus points guestion

HEI is not coastguard rated and was never made in a strictly mechanical advance version. I much prefer either prestolite BID or Delco EST to about anyother system. both work well for years and years and a simple module change can be done on the water with no special tools,if its ever needed. the modules are self contained and usually work for years and years. the EST does have the occasional pick up coil failure.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: hei versus points guestion

yes see yalls point really wasnt considering the use of a automotive hei
but i see a lot of marine ign on the market
i use msd but really havent checked to see if they have a marine app but im sure they do . thanks for response because i dont own a inboard but with 4 or five motors and tons of parts would like to find older 70s or 80s
formula or compareative boat to put one of my motors in ,
watched super novas video and now i whant one
but am scared to buy because of my inex with out drive unit and cooling systems
thanks b1963