Posts: 9
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Home Port: Bermuda
Vessel Info: 31 Open
454 Crusaders @350hp
Good morning.
Has anyone successfully converted their vintage 454's to electronic distributors?
Parts?
Process?
I am finding I need to clean the green corrosion often from inside the distributors.
I'd like to simplify if possible
Any help would be appreciated
Posts: 481
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Home Port: Port Canaveral, FL
Vessel Info: 2003 Tiara 50 Open
3406E Cats
If the distributor is getting corrosion inside then it isn't sealed properly. Are you using automotive parts to save money? A marine cap will come with a gasket to seal it. Back when I had gas engines I used to spray everything inside the cap (and I mean EVERYTHING including the cap) with Corrosion X. Once I did that I stopped having problems.
Posts: 9
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Home Port: Bermuda
Vessel Info: 31 Open
454 Crusaders @350hp
No.
Just original parts or old parts I think.
I bought the boat with them.
Good point on the CorrosionX. Love the stuff, but a fresh set of eyes is often the best advice
Posts: 486
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Home Port: Lake Michigan
Vessel Info: 52 Sovran, Cat 3406
I've converted from points to electronic ignition several times. Mercruiser Thunderbolt (expensive but can purchase used off ebay); Mallory (cheapest and easiest) and MSD. I liked the MSD the best for performance but all things considered would stick with the Thunderbolt. If you do go Thunderbolt make sure you get the right part number for the ignition amplifier as the advance curves differ by engine and horsepower.
Posts: 481
Threads: 8
Joined: Apr 2018
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Home Port: Port Canaveral, FL
Vessel Info: 2003 Tiara 50 Open
3406E Cats
That looks corroded badly. Sealing the new one will go a long way. Use some silicone on the wire entry points and Corrosion X on the rest.
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Home Port: Vancouver, British Columbia
Vessel Info: 1980 31 Open
twin 454 Crusader's with Velvet Drives
I had the exact same issue last summer on my 1980 31 open. Port engine (crusader 454) ignition conversion module packed it in. I replaced both p & s distributors with Petronix Flame-throwers.
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Home Port: Pensacola, FL
Vessel Info: 1986 3600 Continental
454 Crusaders, 350hp, (Carbureted)
7.5kw Diesel genset
I know this is late but I have replaced the entire factory pertronix distributor on one engine (1986 7.4L) using a HEI system from:
a.
http://performancedistributors.com/ (901) 396-5782
i. Distributor - DUI-M12720RD, Ser#90197
ii. Recommended plug gap - .055 - Gapped to .045 based on Chevy HEI recommendations
iii. 20 degrees total advance
Parts for Distributor in an emergency: 1985 Chevrolet C30 Pickup, 7.4L
Full distributor replacement. Easy wiring. New plug wires will be required. Just waiting for the port side to die now. Much improved starting with no chokes.
Rob
1986 Tiara 3600 Continental, 454 Crusaders, 7.5kw Diesel Genset
2002 Luhrs 290 Open, 315hp Yanmars
