18 hp coil question

[kaashlock]

I pulled the flywheel off my 18 hp 1968 fastwin and the coils look great. In fact points and coils look new also. My question is, where the points touch the rotating shaft there is a layer or a film of grease or caked oil. Is this supposed to be this way. I noticed something that looked like a felt pad that also rides against the shaft , it too is oily. Does the shaft just open and close the points as it turns? if it does I guess the lube is alright?
Kenny

 

[rjezuit]

Re: 18 hp coil question

Correct, the wick is for lube. The points have a hard plastic end that rides on the point cam and open and closes the points in sync with the pistons so it fires at the correct point in the rotation.

 

[kaashlock]

Re: 18 hp coil question

I feel kind of stupid now, but I kinda figured it out at the end of my question if you noticed. When I first saw it I was thinking a situatuin such as an armature and brushes, then I realized I was wrong. Thanks for confirming this.
Kenny

 

[F_R]

Re: 18 hp coil question

Kind of sounds like somebody has overdone it with the lube. The wick should be just oily enough to prevent the cam from being totally dry. Excess oil or grease slings off and contaminates the points' contacts.

Same goes for lubricating the armature plate bearings. Too generous with the grease is a bad thing. It just liquifies and splatters all over everything. Those points need to stay clean in order to make good contact when they close up to 5000 times per minute.

 

[jwbmarine]

Re: 18 hp coil question

there is one more reason,u would have too much oil in that area,and that would be a bad,or damaged upper crankcase seal.

 

[kaashlock]

Re: 18 hp coil question

It really doesn't look like too much. I was just thinking that any at all was to much. It is the same width as the wick. So I hopw I'm ok.
Kenny

 

[Bard1]

Re: 18 hp coil question

I just fixed my 1966 fastwin 18, with the help of everybody on this site. For $17.00 I changed out the points and condensers.Thought it was a bad coil at first, but now it runs great! Good luck.

 

[kaashlock]

Re: 18 hp coil question

Got her running and she runs great!!!! I can't believe how smooth it idles. Starts on about 1/2 pull every time. Wonder how many of these great motors get thrown in the ditch, thinking they are junk? Thanks for your help guys!
Kenny

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 18 hp coil question

That's good you got her running. They're quite easy to work on. I love my 18's. Great power/weight ratio.