3 - Mercruiser Thunderbolt Ignition? - The Fix Is In - OBSOLETE - Read Description

[@rcytb]

You surely know your stuff and are a good teacher. This series will be a huge help to me when I make the change. I'm grateful.

[@moccasinmarine]

Thanks. I hope you subscribed and if you would ask friends to subscribe. I’m only 16 away from the magic 1k number.

[@henryvanderleek3730]

I am curious, I am swapping out a 2004 5.0L Thunderbolt V blown motor for a 5.7 short block and I am going to change out the Thunderbolt V after I have it running. I was told by the marine machinist that built my motor that is what he does for some of his customers but instead of using a separate coil and distributor he uses the HEI distribute it has the coil and distributor all in one, what is your thoughts on that?

[@moccasinmarine]

If you use a HEI distributor from about 1976 to maybe 1982 it might work but this distributor uses centrifugal advance weights and you would need to have the curve adjusted on a Sun distributor machine. But you didn’t say if the engine is a Vortec 5.7 or not which would effect the curve you use. I personally would not use a mechanical advance distributor because it’s a wear prone system. The Delco EST is all electronic with no moving parts and is already curved for a Vortec V8.

[@henryvanderleek3730]

I see on eBay/amazon a company called A-Team Performance has a Marine HEI Electronic Distributor for $209 that has a 65K Coil - and Specifically built for the 305, 350 454 5.0L 5.7L 7.4L 8.2L V8 Mercruiser OMC 5.0 5.7 7.4, whats your thoughts?

[@moccasinmarine]

I don’t comment on products I have not personally used but I would let price be your guide. Do comparison shopping using Google and make your decision from that.

[@joebeales7227]

Why did you change from the thunder bolt ignition? I thought they were said to be pretty good.

[@moccasinmarine]

No on this boat the spark is very weak and engine is hard to start. Also as stated in Part 1 description, you can’t buy replacement thunderbolt modules so you’ll have to upgrade when the module fails.

[@joebeales7227]

@@moccasinmarine Yeah that makes complete sense I guess I missed that part. I have a 5.7 350 thunderbolt and was actually curious about that specific ignition but after I talk to some people at my local marina they told me that it’s a great ignition and a gray motor as well. I’ve done a ton of work on it and was contemplating doing a distributor upgrade but if it isn’t broke don’t fix it I guess you know

[@moccasinmarine]

If it breaks you won’t be able to fix it, that’s the point. My video applies to both V6 and V8 engines so you will at least have Instructions on how to upgrade.

[@joebeales7227]

@@moccasinmarine Yes definitely much appreciated. I do have one question which no one seems to know not even the MerCruiser guys around here. My 5.7 thunderbolt Came with a four barrel whatever I bought that Edelbrock replacement and when I was going to change it out I noticed there was no traditional gaskets just rubber quad rings for the carburetor and for the adapter plate that came stack. Is that normal?

[@moccasinmarine]

@@joebeales7227 I’m not really sure what you are describing. Maybe post a video on KZbin or send photos to [e-mail] Btw you asked why I changed the Thunderbolt Ignition to Delco EST? This video shows why: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJC4moV8ipx9kJY

[@j_rainsgoat3929]

Does the timing upgrade help engine to run better? Or make more power?

[@moccasinmarine]

Part 7 has the answer to your question.

[@performancecyclespecialtie6104]

Number 1 always points to cylinder 1 !

[@moccasinmarine]

Insufficient information to know what you mean.

[@performancecyclespecialtie6104]

Number 1 on distributer cap points to number one cylinder !! If not distributer is phased wrong !! And yes im a gm cert tech ! And ase performance expert !