If you look at the Iboats forums in the engine section it explains how to tune up an engine with points. You need a remote starter switch, feeler gauges, tach dwell meter and a screwdriver. Basically the points are opened and closed by the cam inside the distributor. When they are closed a strong magnetic field is induced in the ignition coil and when they open the magnetic field collapses and the high voltage is sent to the spark plug via the rotor, dist cap and spark plug wires. The gap can be set with feeler gauges but should be checked with a dwell meter with the engine running. Dwell=the # of degrees the dist shaft turns with the points closed. Point gap and dwell are inversely related. The ESA is a solid state device that lowers the idle when you shift from fwd or rev to neutral. This allows the dog clutch the release; it's designed to hold under engine power and force against the prop.
BTW that 2.3 is a Ford engine that dates back to the 70s; it was used in millions of smaller Fords (Mustangs, Faimonts, Ranger pick ups,etc)...
_________________ 88 Four Winns 200 Horizon 4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl 2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5 2008 Walker Bay 8
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II
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