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View Full Version : Swapping from Points to HEI



grouly925
06-18-2008, 09:48 AM
Hello, I have an 84 sea ray with a Chevy 305 mercruiser that has the points ignition system. I have successfully converted a few cars, but I am aprehensive about doing it on the boat. Does anyone make an all in one kit for the swap? The boat has the Thunderbolt IV ignition and I am not really very familiar with it. Thanks for any response.



Denko
06-18-2008, 10:07 AM
I used one of these (http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor2/default.aspx) on my 4 cyl. 84 mercruiser, simple to install.

Dennis
DangerDan
06-18-2008, 10:07 AM
there are many on the market. Mallory has a couple of different designs.
Damark Marine
06-18-2008, 09:28 PM
Hello, I have an 84 sea ray with a Chevy 305 mercruiser that has the points ignition system. I have successfully converted a few cars, but I am aprehensive about doing it on the boat. Does anyone make an all in one kit for the swap? The boat has the Thunderbolt IV ignition and I am not really very familiar with it. Thanks for any response.


I am confused :dizzy: the thunderbolt is electronic ignition & a pretty good one at that. Is that what you have or what you are putting in? 1984 should have a electronic thunderbolt in it unless somebody has changed it.
grouly925
06-19-2008, 01:51 PM
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. I am most familiar with cars that have distributors with all internal parts. What I have is an external Thunderbolt IV coil with the short distributor cap. I am not familiar with points at all. Maybe you can shed some light on it for me. I have some time to burn since I am having the carb rebuilt.
DangerDan
06-19-2008, 02:59 PM
Pop the cap and take a peek... You'll see the points or you wont.

The principle is, there's a lobe in the center of the distributor that acuates a pre-loaded spring tesioned strap opening the points (two round tips). if the ignition is on they will spark when actuated. (either by hand or by turning over the motor)
Damark Marine
06-19-2008, 10:56 PM
It sounds like a t bolt ign. It should have 4 screws holding the cap down. If that is the case, just like Dan said open it up & take a peek make sure all looks clean & if spark is good just add water & have some fun!
grouly925
06-20-2008, 09:32 AM
I have had the cap off. One of the darn screws that holds it on broke off too. Gonna have to drill it out. Here is a picture of what is under there (not actual picture, just one I found on a search). Not the same ignition I am used to seeing under the hood of the cars I work on.
http://www.overtons.com/assets/images/products/medium/27761_M1.jpg