old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

[solman223]

I just bought a old johnson motor (cd-14 think it is a 1957) and 12 foot john boat couple of days ago. Got it for a good price guy told me it had not been started since 2008 and showed me paper work that the water pump hand been replaced in 8/24/07 so i knew the boat was runing in 07. I thought i would take apart the carbs and clean them up and would be able to get it running but i can not get spark from either plug. I have been reading previouse posts and took the flyweel off. The coils and the points look to be in good shape.I went out and bought new plugs for the motor but still no luck. what are the chances that both coils would go up at the same time. I had a friend pull the cord while i was holding the end of the plug wire and could not see any spark from the spark plugs but i did feel a little bit of a shock one time in my hand but still could not get plug to spark. I should be able to see them spark if the are out of the engine right? I was just hoping some one could tell me how to deterime what is making me not get any spark - coil , condensor , points, etc. I just put out 150 and dont wan't to buy every thing new untill i know that the motor is worth putting another 150 into. I will be gratefull for any help any one can give

thanks - William

 

[eavega]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

Are you using a spark tester to test for the spark?

-E

 

[solman223]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

I am not using a spark tester. Should i go and buy one? I thought if you took the spark plug out and looked at it you should be able to see spark.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

Chances are the coils are fine. I would start with a simple cleaning and gapping of the plugs. Some fine emery paper run through the points to dress them a bit, unless they are severely pitted, in which case replace them. Clean with an index card sprayed with carb cleaner or lacquer thinner run through the point gap. Gap them at .020 with the fiber rider of the rocker aligned with the crankshaft keyway.

 

[MushCreek]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

Were the spark plugs grounded against the block? If they're hanging in mid-air, they won't spark unless close enough to the block for the spark to jump.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

If that doesn't correct it, then I believe your condensors have went out, which isn't very likely either. Make sure your points are completely clean and gapped at .020

 

[samo_ott]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

Yes, clean and gap the points. Post a picture of the coils if you can. And check compression to be sure it's adequate.

 

[solman223]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

Thanks for all the quick replies i will try and post a picture tomarrow. I was putting the spark plug against the block as well as holding a screw driver up to it. I cleaned the points with electric parts cleaner and the did not look that bad. should i take them off and clean them better and how do you adjust the gap never done before.

 

[BSDenning]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

There should be two screws by each point. One screw holds the point in place and the other is used to adjust the gap. Unscrew the first screw a little to allow you to make the adjustment. Then turn the adjustment screw until you are happy with the gap. Then tighten back down the first screw. Good Luck!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: old johnson 5.5 motor no spark

You should use a spark tester if you can. They're around $10 at Harbour freight I believe.

To clean the points use emery paper or a points file to get the sheen off them and shine then up. You can leave them on to do it. To set the gap set the opening at max by rotating the engine until the cam has them open the max and use a feeler gauge to set at .020 and turn the adjusting screw. Or read the top secret file at the top. It'll explain it better than I just did.

You can also clean and gap the points with the flywheel on as there should be an access port in the top although it's easier if it's off.