mkast
Lieutenant Commander
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2002
- Messages
- 1,934
Re: Vaccume Advance source..?
From Dennis Moore's book:
Delco-The Delco distributor was designed for computer-controlled automotive engines. When used on an engine with a computer, this distributor does not affect ignition timing because it is all controlled by the computer.
However, built into the ignition module (which is small enough to fit under the distributor cap) is an advance curve. If the computer should fail, this ignition module will take over the function of timing advance so the vehicle will continue to run until the problem can be repaired. This is called the "limp home mode." If this distributor is used without a computer it actually works very well. In fact, the "limp home mode"advance curve in the module is just about perfect for a high performance marine engine.
Delco markets it as a marine distributor called the Voyager. It is used on some OEM marine engines, mostly carbureted jet boat engines without computers, and almost all of the EFI marine engines with computers. It can also be purchased as a retrofit kit to replace old ignition systems.
The Delco Voyager marine distributor is identical to the Delco automotive distributor. This means that the ignition module, coil, cap and rotor can all be purchased at any automotive parts store, which could be a tremendous advantage if the ignition system failed far from the nearest boat dealer. The drawback to this ignition system is that the ignition module cannot be changed or modified for a different advance curve. In fact, there is only one ignition module for this distributor, and it fits both the automotive and marine distributors.
From Dennis Moore's book:
Delco-The Delco distributor was designed for computer-controlled automotive engines. When used on an engine with a computer, this distributor does not affect ignition timing because it is all controlled by the computer.
However, built into the ignition module (which is small enough to fit under the distributor cap) is an advance curve. If the computer should fail, this ignition module will take over the function of timing advance so the vehicle will continue to run until the problem can be repaired. This is called the "limp home mode." If this distributor is used without a computer it actually works very well. In fact, the "limp home mode"advance curve in the module is just about perfect for a high performance marine engine.
Delco markets it as a marine distributor called the Voyager. It is used on some OEM marine engines, mostly carbureted jet boat engines without computers, and almost all of the EFI marine engines with computers. It can also be purchased as a retrofit kit to replace old ignition systems.
The Delco Voyager marine distributor is identical to the Delco automotive distributor. This means that the ignition module, coil, cap and rotor can all be purchased at any automotive parts store, which could be a tremendous advantage if the ignition system failed far from the nearest boat dealer. The drawback to this ignition system is that the ignition module cannot be changed or modified for a different advance curve. In fact, there is only one ignition module for this distributor, and it fits both the automotive and marine distributors.