Who is still using Points & Condenser

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:11 pm

Ignitor will never pay for itself with ordinary use (hours).

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:08 pm

If you don't want to jack around with the 1900's system and step up to the 1980's and a piece of mind it will, As some of you will remember I changed over my gen-set last yr to the electronic system with all the work and parts ( I did it everything myself) the cost was about 600 but it was worth every penny it starts on the 2nd hit of the switch every time and hasn't fouled yet.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:22 am

Peace of mind? My 42 y/o 454 Crusader purrs. It starts right away every time, and idles smoother than my 2008 6.0L chevy with it's obd2 (or three or four). In the 25 years or so I have left, I might replace the points and condenser -what two three times? What's that cost?-vs- and ignitor? Plus, any fuel savings will not be significant enuff to make much economic sense.

Piece of wallet is what I am talking about.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:21 am

Foofer, there also a knowledge factor on the old school ways. Agree with you the points and are fine and IF set right will run along time and mostly trouble free. I had my first car a 71 chevelle up to three yrs ago and when I sold it, it still had points in it I never thought about updating it. But if my boat had them I would just out of is not want to jack round with check-in cap and dwell. My merc's came with the thunderbolt 4 system on them and I like not having the points on my things to check and adjust list. I thing that is the driving force for the update. But the spare parts I carry sure cost more I think I spent around $350.00 for a Bach up spare.

Geoff R · Post by **Geoff R** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:21 pm

That is a good point With the electronic the spares are a lot more $ and much more important ! especially with single engine.
There is no limping home or a quick dusting with electronic. its all or nothing

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:55 pm

That's so true. I forget things like that with 2 engines .So if you change keep that in mind you need back ups, I carry mine because what's the likely hood a marina will have it or can get one over night.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:03 pm

[quote="... especially with single engine.
There is no limping home or a quick dusting with electronic. its all or nothing[/quote]

sO THE ARGUMENT "FOR" has come full cicle- from convenience and maintenance free ( no slowly detuning) to a safety issue?

Have any of you had a distributor, or points/condensor suddenly and catastrophically fail???

Oh and it's not "all or nothing", it's all or SeaTow!!

Geoff R · Post by **Geoff R** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:44 pm

Have you met my good friend Murphy the optimist yet ?

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:56 pm

Failure applies to all components though. Your starter or fuel pump could fail just as easily. Have spares of those on board? probably not. Which leads to a good thread....what do you carry as spare parts?

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:17 pm

I have absolutely had point and condenser failures and I was changing them every 2 seasons regardless of operating hours. On the occasions when condensers failed, it was usually within a couple weeks of installation. It always seemed to happen while I was heading home after a day of boating. The engine would start but not keep running. On the few occasions that I experienced point failure, it was always while trying to get up on plane. The boat would just stumble and cough when given throttle. On these occasions I would take off the cap, clean the points with emery paper and the engine would then run just fine. It was a couple days after just such an occasion that I decided to put the electronic conversion in and I haven't had a hint of trouble since and it's been several years now.

As far as spare parts go, I keep the original points set up on board just in case however I doubt I'll ever need it.

Thats my 2 cents.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:27 pm

I agree Paul, I find even with the OEM electronic distributors, it's seldom that the electonics fail. Usually problems are a result of cap and rotor in poor shape.

lakeguy72 · Post by **lakeguy72** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:03 pm

foofer b
My 77 F-32/351's had the tab that the advance spring hooks to break off causing the weight to fly outward and start machining the inside of the distributor body. The resulting pile of alumnum shavings shorted out the condenser. I replaced both distributors with Prestolite Electronics units.
Lakeguy

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Who is still using Points & Condenser

Points and condenser