I have been unable to get this engine running reliably since I bought it. GM 86 OMC cobra previous owner swapped points to pertronix ignition, I had it running once, changed the out drive because it was destroyed and couldn't get it running again.
Took it to the local mechanic and he said when he went to start diagnosis it started right up and to just come get it. I brought it home and sure enough it did. The boat started and ran great in the driveway. I was excited and immediately took it to the launch. Got it in the water and again no start, same as before.
What in the world would cause the bumps down the road to keep it from starting? I know I know lots of things probably.
Fast forward a year and I'm still messing with it and that mechanic doesn't return my calls anymore, no one else around me can get to it for the rest of the season...
Here is what I know or tried.
New pertronix flamethrower ignition coil because the old one was reading 2.1 ohms between +/-and 8550 ohms from center to either polarity.
When I check the voltage to the positive terminal of the coil with the key in the run position I was getting 4.5v. I know this is supposed to be 8v+ and ideally battery voltage. The only way I can get battery voltage is by removing the pertronix ignitor (1563B) red wire from the positive terminal. The moment I touch the wire to the positive terminal it drops from 12.8v to 4.5 and I can hear a hum almost.
I thought there it is! the ignitor is burned up. Took it off and tested it, works fine. It reads battery voltage without the magnet and 0 volts when the magnet is in position next to the ignitor. Unless I'm doing something wrong am I correct in thinking I should replace the ignitor since it's the cause of drop in voltage to the coil?
I feel silly thinking I need to purchase a new ignitor when it tests ok but wanted to get some input from those more experienced than I.
Yeah the springs under the plate look rough but still function.
Took it to the local mechanic and he said when he went to start diagnosis it started right up and to just come get it. I brought it home and sure enough it did. The boat started and ran great in the driveway. I was excited and immediately took it to the launch. Got it in the water and again no start, same as before.
What in the world would cause the bumps down the road to keep it from starting? I know I know lots of things probably.
Fast forward a year and I'm still messing with it and that mechanic doesn't return my calls anymore, no one else around me can get to it for the rest of the season...
Here is what I know or tried.
New pertronix flamethrower ignition coil because the old one was reading 2.1 ohms between +/-and 8550 ohms from center to either polarity.
When I check the voltage to the positive terminal of the coil with the key in the run position I was getting 4.5v. I know this is supposed to be 8v+ and ideally battery voltage. The only way I can get battery voltage is by removing the pertronix ignitor (1563B) red wire from the positive terminal. The moment I touch the wire to the positive terminal it drops from 12.8v to 4.5 and I can hear a hum almost.
I thought there it is! the ignitor is burned up. Took it off and tested it, works fine. It reads battery voltage without the magnet and 0 volts when the magnet is in position next to the ignitor. Unless I'm doing something wrong am I correct in thinking I should replace the ignitor since it's the cause of drop in voltage to the coil?
I feel silly thinking I need to purchase a new ignitor when it tests ok but wanted to get some input from those more experienced than I.
Yeah the springs under the plate look rough but still function.
