ignition mounting bolts

bashr52

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
413
Does anyone know of replacement ignition mounting bolts that have the rubber vibration isolating pads on them? Mine broke and I don't want to run straight bolts through it for fear of vibration doing some internal damage to the electronics in the ignition box.

1979 (80 model year) 85 horse Chrysler.

Also, has anyone ever retro-fitted an after market ignition box? I have a couple spare Mallory/Jacobs ignition boxes off my race beetle engine I'd like to play around with......
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: ignition mounting bolts

While the rubber mounts are better insurance, they are not absolutely necessary. The Motorola ignition box is completely potted in epoxy as is the coil, (for moisture protection) and nothing inside can be damaged by vibration. I have used straight bolts on a couple of engines before. Later on, I replaced them as a matter of course when I bought junker engines. Note that the rectifier with or without trip regulator or rectifier/regulator are not mounted on vibration isolators.
 

pnwboat

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
4,251
Re: ignition mounting bolts

I've looked at using an MSD ignition system on my 1988 125HP motor. To me, the cost didn't justify the effort. As far as I could tell (I'm no expert in this area), looked like you would have to use one of the distributorless MSD ignition boxes. More than what I would want to spend. In the end, I retrofitted my motor with one of the late 1990's (1996 - 1999) Mercury CDM ignition system. Worked out great. One of the best modifications that I've done to my motor. Spent one winter gathering used parts on line. Total cost was around $120. Big improvement to my motor as far as idle and starting, and also charging (used the later model 16AMP Mercury stator). Maybe there was something not quite right with my original Prestolite system, but I had replaced the 4 coils, both CD modules, and stator. The CDM ignition system works much better. Used it all last summer with no problems.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=388549&highlight=ignition+system+upgrade
 

bashr52

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
413
Re: ignition mounting bolts

I've looked at using an MSD ignition system on my 1988 125HP motor. To me, the cost didn't justify the effort. As far as I could tell (I'm no expert in this area), looked like you would have to use one of the distributorless MSD ignition boxes. More than what I would want to spend. In the end, I retrofitted my motor with one of the late 1990's (1996 - 1999) Mercury CDM ignition system. Worked out great. One of the best modifications that I've done to my motor. Spent one winter gathering used parts on line. Total cost was around $120. Big improvement to my motor as far as idle and starting, and also charging (used the later model 16AMP Mercury stator). Maybe there was something not quite right with my original Prestolite system, but I had replaced the 4 coils, both CD modules, and stator. The CDM ignition system works much better. Used it all last summer with no problems.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=388549&highlight=ignition+system+upgrade

I just wanted to update this thread. I completed my retrofit today. I removed the factory Magapower ignition box today, and installed an after market Jacobs system (CDI and Coil). I was able to use the factory distributor and wiring block. I have not started it yet, but checking the pugs showed a much larger and stronger spark than the factory system. I will update this thread with initial impressions once I get the thing on the water.
 

pnwboat

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
4,251
Re: ignition mounting bolts

Jacobs system will definitely be an improvement over the stock Chrysler ignition. I used to run a Jacobs system on my small block Chevy. My Force motor doesn't have a distributor so that makes it a little more difficult (expensive) to do. Good luck, hope it works out well!
 
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