1961 Evinrude lark 3 40HP ignition problem

[pat888]

I was cruising at 3/4 throttle and backed off the throttle too quickly and the motor died with transmission in forward and hasn't started since. There is fuel and air but no spark. I checked for current to the plugs with light tester while cranking and both wires have current, then i grounded the plugs to the motor and cranked it to check for spark intensity and there was no spark, could it be the points are burnt or need adjustment or something else? Any help at all would be much appreciated.

 

[pat888]

Re: 1961 Evinrude lark 3 40HP ignition problem

I would also like to know if setting the points is a complicating job with many special tools needed besides a filler guage. All I know is that the points are supposed to be set at .020 and as far as getting to the points i only have taken of the starter of my 68 ski twin 33HP which is very similar to the lark 3 except the lark 3 has electric start.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1961 Evinrude lark 3 40HP ignition problem

I would also like to know if setting the points is a complicating job with many special tools needed besides a filler guage. All I know is that the points are supposed to be set at .020 and as far as getting to the points i only have taken of the starter of my 68 ski twin 33HP which is very similar to the lark 3 except the lark 3 has electric start.

Throttling back normally wouldn't have caused it to quit. Nevertheless, you might have worn or dirty points, but that didn't make it quit either--assuming it was running good before the event.

Has anybody had the flywheel off? If installed incorrectly, the key may have sheared. And if it did, it may have ruined the flywheel and/or crankshaft.

You asked about special tools. The answer is yes. Well not really "special", but you may not have them. You need a 3-bolt puller with Grade-8 bolts to get the flywheel off. It is very hard to pull off. Most people use a harmonic balancer puller (automotive tool). Do NOT, under any circumstances, pull on the outside rim of the flywheel!!!!

Then when you go to put it back together, the shaft and flywheel tapers and key slots must be in perfect condition, and clean and dry. And you absolutely MUST use a torque wrench to tighten the nut to 100-105 foot pounds.