Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

[gnarbrah]

Hi all - I finally got the time to replace the points on my 1975 Johnson 6. If you look back at my previous threads you'll see that I was having some major "sputtering" problems. I pulled the carb and rebuilt it (cleaned thoroughly and new kit) took it out and had the same problems. I finally got up the courage after reading posts here to pull the flywheel and go for it. Got the flywheel off without too much difficulty and figured out how the points and condensers come out. Got the new ones back in okay. Coils look good by the way. Oh - important to note that when completely cold I had great spark in both plugs before I began this project. I bought a feeler gauge and set the gap at .020 and spun it around and quadruple checked them. I then put the flywheel back on and hand spun it while holding the plugs (one at at time) grounded (as before the project) to a head bolt and nothing.

If you haven't read my old posts the motor ran great for about fifteen minutes then would start sputtering (missing?) and get progressively worse. It would have to sit overnight before it would run good again (for 15 mins)

When I got the flywheel off, one of the points had some rust and the other just kind of looked like there was a little bit of scorch marks (normal?)

Anyway, I'm just hoping someone will have a little more insight on something I may have missed? I do have a manual but it just tells me to hook it up to machinery (that I don't have) to test everything. I know I'm close to being back on the water but the summer is coming to a quick close and I need help!!

Thanks!!!

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

OK, did you replace the points....one set at a time? or did you remove both sets and then install the new ones?

Did you rotate the crankshaft until the crank key way aligned with the points rub block (part that contacts the cam) and then set the gap for .020...?

Edit: BTW, Having the motor start to act up after 15 minutes could have been a coil heating up and shorting out. You can replace the flywheel and nut finger tight and use the rope starter to test for initial spark. A spark tester is the best bet.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

Anyway, I'm just hoping someone will have a little more insight on something I may have missed? I do have a manual but it just tells me to hook it up to machinery (that I don't have) to test everything. I know I'm close to being back on the water but the summer is coming to a quick close and I need help!!

Thanks!!!

Summer is coming to a quick close? You live in Florida, the land of the eternal summer... Or so we think up here in Canada where it will be snowing in a few months!

Anyway, I concur, sputtering over time is sometimes a coil that is going but you should still have a spark now. When I work on the ignition system, I put the flywheel on and the nut finger tight and then rotate the flywheel to test it and you will get a good spark (on a $10 spark tester) if it's working, you dont need the pull starter. And if you pull the plugs out it will even be easier but I dont bother.

So if you had 2 good sparks before you worked on it and not now then you messed something up under the hood. Does the 6hp have a stop button? Are those wires ok as they go to the points to kill the ignition. Have you double checked all your wires? Do both not fire or just 1 side as they are independent so if both are not firing the only common items are the kill switch and the flywheel magnet.

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

Thanks for getting back with me. I replaced one side at a time. I have to go run out and check the position at where I set the gap. I read on another post (for the same motor) that I should line up the "o" in "top" that is stamped into the base of the cam and I'm guessing that isn't where the key is.

No stop button on this model, and I triple checked all the connections. My guess is I set them at the wrong area.

Thanks for your replies - I'll let you know what happens!

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

OK - I think I have good news. I went back and re-gapped the points where the key meets the rub block, put the flywheel back on, turned it over and got spark at both plugs!

Now here's the big question, I know I need to torque the flywheel nut to 40-45 ft lbs per the manual but, all I have is a cheap harbor freight torque wrench that I've never used. How exactly do torque wrenches work? I see how to set it at 45 ft lbs and I figured I'd stick it in the vice (wrench only) and apply pressure to see how I'd know its at 45 ft lbs and nothing. Is the wrench supposed to click or something like a chuck on a drill? I'm dying to try the motor out but I don't want the flywheel shooting off!!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

If the torque wrench has no gauge, it will click when the proper setting is reached.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

Thanks for getting back with me. I replaced one side at a time. I have to go run out and check the position at where I set the gap. I read on another post (for the same motor) that I should line up the "o" in "top" that is stamped into the base of the cam and I'm guessing that isn't where the key is.

No stop button on this model, and I triple checked all the connections. My guess is I set them at the wrong area.

Thanks for your replies - I'll let you know what happens!

The reason I asked if you removed both point sets at the same time is, by replacing only one set at a time, you can use the untouched side as a guide for wire placement. One poster had the same problem, seems he managed to wire the wrong coil to the point sets.
If the coils were removed, they too must be properly positioned for max spark. The coils mounting bases have to aligned with the mounting bosses on the armature plate.

Good Luck, and report back with your progress...

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

Ok - I didn't trust that cheap torque wrench so I hit Sears and grabbed a beam style for $25 and tightened it to 45 ft lbs. Then much to my surprise it started right up in the barrel! Now the real test is to run it in the lake under a load and see what happens. Thats the only time I had the sputtering problem to begin with. I've got my fingers crossed...if there is no change I guess all that's left is replace the coils.

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

So I finally got the chance to take the boat out yesterday and much to my surprise it worked great! I guess it was the points/condensers that were the problem after all! Thanks for all your help, the wealth of knowledge on here is truly appreciated!

Now on to my next gripe.....I know it's a 6 horse but it's SO close to planing out my 12' fiberglass skiff. If I lean forward it will but as soon as I sit back it falls off plane again. I've read all the posts about weight distribution and all that and I understand the principles of it but I'm pretty much maxed out with what I can do. I've built a casting deck on the front out of 3/4" plywood and 2x4's which weighs quite a bit. It sits on top of the middle seat so I can't sit there to drive with a tiller extension. Basically I'm seeing if there might be something I can do to "bump" the power just a bit. Can I change props? The one I have on it is the stock 2 blade that it came with from the factory. I've seen 3 blades on similar motors and am curious if this might help?

Thanks again!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

The standard prop is a two blade 8 x 7 (dia x pitch) propeller (#386955).

There is also a 8-1/4 x 5 three blade propeller that provides greater thrust (#386587). This might cure your problem.

The numbers should be engraved right on the propeller.

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

That sounds like my kind of fix! I found one on ebay but it's made of lexan. Is this good or should I go with another material?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

More blades will help, but I wonder if it will cure your problem. You are asking a lot from a 6 hp. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

trade it for a 7.5 or a 10. The prop change will be slight if at all imo

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

I have the 1973 Evinrude model 6HP and it is a great little motor. I rebuilt one for a buddy who used it as an auxilliary on his 27ft sailboat. He had the three-blade prop and it pushed his boat very well in Tampa Bay. Good luck!

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Replaced points but no spark 1975 6hp

have the 1973 Evinrude model 6HP and it is a great little motor. I rebuilt one for a buddy who used it as an auxilliary on his 27ft sailboat. He had the three-blade prop and it pushed his boat very well in Tampa Bay. Good luck!

apples and oranges. your buddies sailboat and mine are displacement hulls not planing hulls. he has a planning hull. Take more horse to put them on a plane and keep them there.