No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

[Potemkin]

Hi there,
I just got an old Evinrude Lightwin 3hp model # 3012 (year of production 1952-1954). The guy who sold it to me said it needs just a carb cleaning but when I opened the flywheel I saw it needs more than that... So I started to restore it.
Inspired by Tom's webpage http://outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Default.htm . Thank you Tom for useful info but there are some blank areas left untold.
I rebuild the carb (got a carb kit from a local Evinrude dealership), bought new coils and ignition tune up kit from NAPA, checked the coils before I installed them... I thought I was doing everything right until I tried to get a spark... Yes, you guessed it right- NO spark...
Can anybody tell me maybe I'm missing a step or two or what else should I check in order to get the sparks?
I don't have the service manual for that and was going only by the info I found on the Internet.
So the question # 1 is how do I set the points? Yes I did rotated the flywheel and tried to set the gaps but if I turn the the armature plate handle it moves the whole thing(armature plate) and two marks on the plate move too... What do I need to do?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Set the points gap when at their widest open point.

Correctly set when you can slide the gauge between then with just the very slightest resistance.
Tighter than that they are too close, looser than that they are too wide.

Ensure points faces are spotlessly clean.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Make sure your coils are installed properly...heels of the coil(s) should be flush with the boss/casting they rest on. Sound like yours are dragging on the inside of the flywheel. Look at the crankshaft lobe from the top. It is not perfectly round. Rotate the crankshaft until the high side/oblong side of the lobe pushes against the points. Make sure the heel of the points contact the lobe. Adjust the points to the right gap, as already mentioned. Make sure the face of the points are clean and not pitted. Did you change the plug wires too? Your motor requires solid wire core plug wires...don't use wires from the auto parts store. Post back with what you find after another check.

 

[Potemkin]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Yep, did everything like that but what confusing me is what is my starting point?
Here are the pictures of what I mean:

With the armature plate handle rotated left

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp57/dmitridesign/evinrude 3hp lightwin/IMG_8031.jpg

With the armature plate handle rotated all the way to the right

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp57/dmitridesign/evinrude 3hp lightwin/IMG_8032.jpg

As you see the flywheel key on a crankshaft is staying still but the two marks on the armature plate moved to the right on the second image...

How should I set it for the initial gap setting?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Set the armature plate so that the timing marks are in line with the cam follower arm on the carb
Turn the crankshaft until one set of points is open at it widest , Adjust the gap to 0.020"

Turn the crankshaft 180deg so that the other is fully open and adjust the gap

 

[Potemkin]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Thanks Vic!
I'm off to local library to get the service manual (who knew they have one! Lucky me!)
I will try your way when I'll get back.
Cheers!

 

[Potemkin]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Tried everything... Still no sparks.... Any suggestions?
As per Vic.S set as recommended but no luck...
Didn't find anything different in Manual that I got from the library...
Everything looks right ... I think...
What can go wrong????
The only thing I didn't check - the spark plug wires... Do I need to? If yes- how do I do that?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Two things to check ...

State of insulation ... does it look OK .. try spinning it in the dark to look for sparks jumping where they shouldn't.
Continuity of conductor ... ohms meter.

Duff condensers ??

Flywheel magnets OK.?

Carefully check your points and coil wiring against the manual. Got the coils connected to the right set of points?


Just noticed something in your pictures ... make sure the green wires are not touching/ cannot touch the cam. Iif the insulation wears through and it shorts that'll stop you.

It's not got a stop button has it?

 

[PROJOAT]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Sorry, I'm just a newbie here, but to your question about the marks on the stator and flywheel, Tom's site:

http://outboard-boat-motor-repair.c...on 3 HP 1952-1967 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

has detailed instructions for ignition tuneup that include the use of those marks. His method for setting the point gap is to set the gap close to 0.020" with a feeler gage, then to use a multimeter to tell when the points open. Points should open when the notch is between the two lines. Big notch is for one set of points / cylinder / little notch is for the other. It's not exactly adjusting the timing - it is setting the points. Have a look - maybe the answer to your problem will show up if you walk through his method.

 

[Potemkin]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Hi PROJOAT,

That's where I got the inspiration to start that project Great website!
Tomorrow I'll continue to work on my motor...

 

[Potemkin]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Just wanted to thank everybody for their help and support!
Finally, I finished to restore my motor and now it's running like a charm!!!
I did test it last Saturday on a local lake- thing of beauty!!!
Oh, yeah, the thing I forgot to do is to clean the rust off the flywheel magnets inside... Now it's all good!

 

[waynenecole]

6 hp johnson at acceleration, acts as if strikes object in water.

6 hp johnson at acceleration, acts as if strikes object in water.

it will not go in revearse, it acts as if it has a linkage problem. any suggestions?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 6 hp johnson at acceleration, acts as if strikes object in water.

Re: 6 hp johnson at acceleration, acts as if strikes object in water.

it will not go in revearse, it acts as if it has a linkage problem. any suggestions?

Yes start your own new thread.

Click the "create new post" button at the top of the index or here if you like

​

 

[cajuncook1]

Re: No sparks in my Evinrude 3hp

Just wanted to thank everybody for their help and support!
Finally, I finished to restore my motor and now it's running like a charm!!!
I did test it last Saturday on a local lake- thing of beauty!!!
Oh, yeah, the thing I forgot to do is to clean the rust off the flywheel magnets inside... Now it's all good!

I have 1957 3hp Evinrude and it runs awesome. Idles real low and very good pick up as well.

One bit of advice....make sure you run your motor on fuel oil ratio of 16:1. That is 8 ounce of TCW-3 marine 2 cycle to 1 gallon of gas. Any thing less was will cause premature death or severe damage to your motor. 24:1 it just not quite enough. Spoke with a bunch of experts on the AOMCI (Antique outboard motor club inc). They all adamantly advise this fuel to oil ratio. They even state that with the newer oils the motor should still be run at 16:1 fuel oil ratio.

In addition to the oil lubricating parts, it also helps with keeping the head cooler.

Well, that is my 2cents worth of advice and hope you enjoy your motor as much as I enjoy mine!!!