All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

[wiboatergile]

Finally changed all the coils, condensers, points, plugs and wires.. Engine doesnt fire when pulled over.. Fired before I changed it out.. Set point gap according to manual.. checked all connections and fresh gas. Its a 18hp JOhnson 1963.. Is the front coil to the top cylinder... I turned the crank to set the points would this screw with the timing? At a loss and had to stop for the day as I was getting frustrated..
Thanks for any help!!

 

[iwombat]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

first things first.

1. Did you line the coil mounts up with the outside of the mounting bosses?

2. Did you torque down the flywheel appropriately?

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

I saw the post about the mounting of the coils and did per the post.. Toruqed the flywheel to 45lbs. Wired the stop switch, coil and condenser to point post as they were when I took them off.. Just got me scratching my head!!

 

[iwombat]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

Okay, well we're past that . . .

Have you removed the flywheel and inspected? It's pretty easy to leave a wire in the wrong spot and have it ground into paste by the flywheel. (Don't ask me how I know.)

But before that . . . Have you tried a spark test? It's possible your ignition is a-okay and something else is amiss. That's the first thing I do when fixing an ignition anyway. Unit test (ignition), then integration test (whole system).

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

Will check fire to plugs when it gets dark here.. The bottom cylinder coil was burned thru when I took it out ( guy engine came from said those coils were from another boat engine!!) but #2 hasnt had fire in a while.... Engine still ran dont know how.. So got the tuning kit? Guess if no spark then go back and do it again.. Will troubleshoot all connections in the morning..
Thanks WOmbat..
My first boat engine redo and it might be the last LOL

 

[F_R]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

You asked if it was OK to turn the shaft when setting the points. Matter of fact, you must turn the crank when setting the points. Turn it till they are at their widest opening (key aligned with rubbing block) then set them to .020. Turn crank to the other one and repeat.

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

I got the feeler guage and set them per manual by turning to highest point and setting to 020.. Set coils on bosses per post on that item, and put all wires thru channels beneath away from flywheel. THink I will know more after the spark test after dark.. thanks for help

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

OK did the spark test with the plugs.. Got a good blue spark off one but only a wimpy yellow off the other so I will tear it down and check point gaps and plug wire at the coils.. Could the stop switch be involved in some way?? When I got engine didnt know it only was on one cylinder so it never really idled and would shudder off so never used the stop switch!! Redid the carb also so might be a issue with fuel too... Well tomorrow is another day in the garage..
thanks

 

[iwombat]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

My guess is that if you're getting spark at all, it's not the stop switch. You can always disconnect it and see. There should be in-line connectors leading away from the armature to connect the switch.

Also, I'm not sure that color is going to be your best guide. Spend a few $$ (usually under $10) on a spark tester (or make one) and see if you can get spark to jump a 3/8" gap.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

had this problem, when i put the plug wire in the coil, the center conducter did not make good contact. (off center) of the pin in the coil.

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: All new parts installed on armature! Wont start...

Thought about that last night as I am not to happy with the way ya hook wires to coil.. The kill switch question was due to so much extra wire under the fly wheel.. Kill switch wire is doubled up in several places.. Think will run what I need and put in new connectors as the connectors on mine were soldered.. Also glad that everyone made the point to change the plug wires as the ones on it were automotive and not high tension..
thanks