1987 10 meter mid cabin complete restoration.

[bjanakos]

I hope my post didn't seem condescending... But I have been catching up on your thread and you really like working on that boat!

Holleys aren't for everyone, but they are pretty idiot proof which is what makes them a great application for a cruiser. I replaced my finicky rochesters with 4175's about 5 years ago. I paid less then $500 to have them installed and I haven't touched them since. With that being said, if you want to stick with the rochesters, Factory rebuilds could still be had for less than $600 with your core.

To each his own I guess! Keep going with the build!

[yorklyn]

Not Condescending at all! trust me i'm always looking for insight and direction.
These carbs and original distributors are becoming a thorn in my rear. ever time i think I have a direction to head in, i do research and find a bunch of negatives. I had planned on putting new holleys on as per the engine re builders recommendation. After some research i kept reading how the correct qjets would be more fuel efficient and idle better. After researching rebuilt qjets i found that for the most part qjets were somewhat vehicle specific and were not "one size fits all" in terms of jetting and other adjustments. So I decide to rebuild my original carbs only to find that one or both isn't original. So since I have the original carb specs in the engine manual figure ill try to get them back to that point.
Now the distributors are really driving me crazy. they worked before, they are really rusted, they are no longer made and I cant seem to get a good answer as to what distributor "upgrade " will work with my crusaders? as always any suggestions will be appreciated!

[bjanakos]

Now the distributors are really driving me crazy. they worked before, they are really rusted, they are no longer made and I cant seem to get a good answer as to what distributor "upgrade " will work with my crusaders? as always any suggestions will be appreciated!

Funny you should mention that... I just went through this towards the end of the season. I was having a problem (on my old boat) with the port motor where it would stall after backing off the throttle especially during docking. Everything looked good with it and I even pulled the carb to cleaned it.

There is a mechanic that I call on once in a while who worked for the former Johnson Marine. He found that the bushings on the distributor were shot and the timing would go off on a hard throttle movements. It was an original pertronix with an upgraded electronic points module. He suggested replacing it with a new full electronic distributor. The cost was $500 for the new whole job and it included the dizzy and a matching coil pack + new 8mm wires and plugs.

I dont recall what brand it was, but I can find out if you are interested.

[todd brinkerhoff]

I've heard good things on the DUI distributors. Are your engines stock. Obviously these distributors are used on modified engines, so I don't know how they would do on stock motors.

[RWS]

I am happy to report that I have no distributors in my 10 meter.

old fashioned, non common rail, non electronic, uncomputerized, simple mechanical turbocharged diesels which are no longer produced due to US EPA Tier Three regulations make this size boat very happy.

Unfortunately, todays economics can make this a very difficult choice.

Nonetheless, it seems that breakerless would be your best bet.

new advance springs and a good cleanup/lube/bench test should round out the program

RWS

[RWS]

I am happy to report that I have no distributors in my 10 meter.

old fashioned, non common rail, non electronic, uncomputerized, simple mechanical turbocharged diesels which are no longer produced due to US EPA Tier Three regulations make this size boat very happy.

Unfortunately, todays economics can make this a very difficult choice.

Nonetheless, it seems that breakerless would be your best bet.

new advance springs and a good cleanup/lube/bench test should round out the program

unfortunately, its way too easy to get to the point of diminished return on the expense of the refit.

Believe me, I know.

RWS

[todd brinkerhoff]

I am happy to report that I have no distributors in my 10 meter.

old fashioned, non common rail, non electronic, uncomputerized, simple mechanical turbocharged diesels which are no longer produced due to US EPA Tier Three regulations make this size boat very happy.

Unfortunately, todays economics can make this a very difficult choice.

Nonetheless, it seems that breakerless would be your best bet.

new advance springs and a good cleanup/lube/bench test should round out the program

RWS

That's not funny...seriously inappropriate!

[RWS]

sorry,

I QUOTED myself instead of EDITING myself.

Here it is as it was intended - (same as in the quote myself)

======================================================================================================


I am happy to report that I have no distributors in my 10 meter.

old fashioned, non common rail, non electronic, uncomputerized, simple mechanical turbocharged diesels which are no longer produced due to US EPA Tier Three regulations make this size boat very happy.

Unfortunately, todays economics can make this a very difficult choice.

Nonetheless, it seems that breakerless would be your best bet.

new advance springs and a good cleanup/lube/bench test should round out the program

unfortunately, its way too easy to get to the point of diminished return on the expense of the refit.

Believe me, I know.

RWS

[yorklyn]

But just think about all the black diesel "soot" he has to clean up since he has those "old fashioned, non common rail, non electronic, uncomputerized, simple mechanical turbocharged diesels which are no longer produced due to US EPA Tier Three regulations"! LOL!

[yorklyn]

Bjanakos, Was the engine you put the distributor on an older 454 big block? if so id love to know what you used. I'm just afraid to purchase a replacement without knowing 100% that it will work correctly. The guy that I am going to have rebuild my carbs specializes in old hot rod cars (ie camaro and chevelles with big blocks). I was planning to ask him about upgrading the distributors. before i buy anything i plan on verifying it with the distributor manf. but I need to at least narrow it down to a specific company or two. I was looking at DUI marine and they seem like they may have what i need.
Harris, I had thought about trying to clean the old ones up and put new springs etc in them but its my understanding that you need a special machine which no one has anymore to verify they are working correctly? figure what the heck , might as well dump a few thousand more in parts into a 1987 boat!

[bjanakos]

Bjanakos, Was the engine you put the distributor on an older 454 big block?

I have my own boat with 350's and I am a fill-in captain on another boat with the 454's. The spark plugs I mentioned earlier went on the boat with the 454's. The Holleys and the dizzy went on my boat with the 350.

Harris, I had thought about trying to clean the old ones up and put new springs etc in them but its my understanding that you need a special machine which no one has anymore to verify they are working correctly?

If you know someone who knows how to read a dwell meter you can probably get them sorted out. Not many people except the old-timers really know how to tune a completely mechanical system. If they are off the boat, some of the older auto parts stores or mechanics might still have machine to test them. It all depends on what the value is... You can probably get them completely rebuilt and have a set of $300, 30 year old mechanical distributors.

My boat is a working boat, so its worth it to me to spend $500 for an entire new ignition system and never worry about it again and be working by the end of the day rather than pulling parts and being down for an entire weekend and loose a couple of grand.

[Unchained]

Hey Todd,
United Ignition Wire Corp makes a very nice upgrade kit. I deal with a large marine parts supplier that has sold hundreds of these over the last few years and they have had nothing but positive feedback. I just purchased two for my 10 meter and will be installing them in the spring. I'm running Holley 0-9022, 800 CFM carbs on my new rebuilds. Here is the UIW info.
Take care and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mike

EST GM V8 Distributor Kit #UIWGMESTV8
Electronic Spark Timing (EST)
For inboards & stern drive applications

Kit Contains:
9366-3M EST Distributor with dist./block gasket
4226M Ignition Coil with "B" bracket
126A "A" coil bracket
126EST spark plug wire set
Dielectric grease pack, 2 grams
22752HK harness kit which includes: Distributor to Coil, Power & Tachometer, Timing, Timing Plug, and Shift Interrupt (stern drive applications)

[BobCT]

Todd,

You probably have the Prestolite electronic distributors with the mechanical advance. That's what I'm still using and they work fine with about 1,200 hours. I replaced both electronic modules for about $90 each just based upon age. As long as the springs aren't broken they work great.

Bob

[adrewoh]

Todd, I'm new to the forum & coming in on the tail end of your project. You're awesome! & thanks so much for all the posts! I'm humbled by your efforts!!
I started out with a 71 F31fb in 2011 with Chrysler 383's. First boat, I'm handy and open to learn, but didn't bring much mechanical expertise to the table.
I updated the interior that winter--that's what I'm good at. The next summer is when I got my crash course in being a boat mechanic. I wish I would have known about the forum then--there would have been much to post about.
But it was a great boat and handled amazing--my first season I got the reputation as ace docker.
Needed (haha, wanted) more room and upgraded to a F36 fb. Redid the interior last winter and enjoyed a problem free season this year...knock on wood....love it.
And congrats on your wife being involved!! Where I'm docked, you rarely see the wife even wash the boat!!
Best of luck & thanks again!

[yorklyn]

Thanks Adrewoh! nothing better then a "problem free season!" im hoping to have at least one before I Die! lol.