Electronic Shift Assist OMC Cobra

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Floatsmyboat

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exMember
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May 25, 2001
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4727
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I have a 1989 Four Winns 225 Sundowner with a 350 engine, Cobra sterndrive. I am having problems with the Electronic Shift Assist, and I think it may be time to replace it. This boat still has breaker points, but has a Multiple Spark Discharge (MSD) unit that was added by the previous owner. But it still means cleaning and adjusting the points. I cannot seem to keep moisture out of the distributer. I remember reading in Stewart Hastings papers that OMC had come out with a ESA that also included the electronic ignition conversion.

1. Does anyone know if this is still available. Or is there a electronic ignition conversion available now that is compatable with the ESA?
I am also aware that circut can be built to work with the electronic ignition and the old ESA.

2. Can the MSD be used with electronic ignition, or should I discard it?

3. How is moisture getting into the distributer? I have used the gasket that is provided for the Prestolite distributer, and tried silicone, but it still gets damp.

Thanks,

Greg O
 
Do a net search for performance part suppliers for auto's and boats, look for a point conversion kit, it is a pick up that takes the place of the points and is a direct bolt on, and all the moisture trouble and clean and adjusting will go away.....D......
 
D Andrews,

I can find a conversion, that is not the issue. The Electronic Shift Assist on the OMC Cabras is not compatible with any that I have come across. OMC did come out with one, but I do not think they are available. I don't know if it will work with the MSD unit as well.

Greg O
 
MacBarry,

Do you know if this unit is compatable with electronic ignition? There is not much information about this esa.

Thanks

Greg O.
 
Greg
My boat had a 1988 OMC Cobra 5.0 with old style ign with points. I repowered with 5.7 Vortec that has electronic ign and used the 1988 OMC Cobra outdrive and all wireing. If you are going to install electronic ign do not do the patch by making a circit it does not work that well. Do yourself a favor and up grade the ESA. The CDI ESA is designed for the conversion from points to electronic ign. I installed it and it works fine.
 
Greg
I called CDI before I purchased the ESA and the correct MFG part is #123-9898-P
 
If you get Pertronix make sure it is Ignitor II as the plain Ignitor burns out if you leave ignition key in on position. Also, if you are going to remove the resistance wire for the coil so you get 12V to Ignitor and/or upgrade coil to something like the Flamethrower call CDI tech support 866-423-4832 as these changes will burn out your ESA. They discovered that about a year ago but you won't find mention on their site or anyone else's that sells the ESA. You should get those instructions with the new one telling you that a ballast resistor is required, if they haven't been in stock for over a year. If your combo requires above the standard auto parts 1.5 ohm they are the only one that sells them. Might as well get it with the ESA.
 
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