omc points to delco est conversion

vick 84

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May 6, 2012
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Hi newbie here to the forun i have an early to mid 80s omc 2.5 400 series stinger replacing motor and the donor is from an 86 or 87 mercruiser which has delco est i pretty well have the ignition figured out and wired what worries me is before i fire it up and give it a shot i want to double check if my boat even has a spark interrupter and if so how do i connect the est to it mechanical shift 400 series stringer i have read people talking about the esa but where is it i was thinking maybe in the shift converter but there are no wires to or from the shift converter that i can see and please with all do respect Do Not recommend keeping the points cause it wont happen if no one can help me i will spend the season making something that will i do have the merc valve cover with interrupter swith bit that is all i dont have the overshift switch didnt come with it thank you in advance for any and all assitance
 

Howard Sterndrive

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Nov 5, 2008
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Re: omc points to delco est conversion

start by looking at your lower unit. if it has a rectangular zinc anode above the prop (behind the 6 idle relief holes), then your boat should have an ESA. Whether it does or not is a different issue- but it's the lower unit that determines need for the ESA system. Mechanical shift lower units need it to allow easy shifting to neutral without damaging the shift cable.
 

vick 84

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Re: omc points to delco est conversion

Thanks howard i will check as soon as i get home i was hoping i would hear from you from other threads ive looked at you def know what your talking about
 

vick 84

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Re: omc points to delco est conversion

Im still at work but i want to say my lower unit has the same shape anode as a jhonny-rude outboard or at least thats what looks like is supposed to be there to be homest i think the previous owner removed it and hasnt been replaced
 

vick 84

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Re: omc points to delco est conversion

Ok i got home and looked at it the only thing i see above the prop and close to the 6 holes is the triangle shaped anode like a standard outboard has hope i am looking in the right place
 

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
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Re: omc points to delco est conversion

if you don't have this anode, you have/need no ESA and can use any marine ignition.
fullmechanode.jpg
 

vick 84

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Re: omc points to delco est conversion

Thanks howard mine definately does not have that anode fired it up last night after getting everything buttoned uprins great but still have to time it with no load seeing its on trailer in my driveway it shifted in and out of both gears with no problem what sould i do with this shift interrupter switch wires now that i spent the time to run them
 

vick 84

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May 6, 2012
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Re: omc points to delco est conversion

One more thing howard the block is around 85 model the head is around 87 model and the ignition is est i set the timing timing to 1?btdc once i get it in base mode correct. Base mode is achieved by starting warm up engine connect jumper between 2 white wires on distribitor and connect the shift interrupt wires together correct
 

Kainon

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Sep 13, 2009
Messages
608
Re: omc points to delco est conversion

shifting an outdrive out of the water shouldnt be a problem, it only becomes a problem or difficult, shifting out of gear to neutral in a pond, lake, river, ocean etc.. where there is more water putting pressure on the prop ( in other words you cant test it in a bucket of water either.. cuz the water doesnt have enough weight behind it and will get tossed right out. )

You can test on the trailer by triggering the ESA or other Shift Interupt simply by tripping the switch.

the Mercruiser use a simple Ground to short the ignition but it's not held for very long, so unlike the ESA module that will continue to stumble intermittently the ignition if held to long on a Merc it will Shut down the engine/stall/kill etc..

I'm not sure if the simple ground method of Mercruiser works with the EST ignition, you'll need to check further.
 
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