What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

[Tinkerer2]

I'm going to inject some non-conductive silicone rubber into the amplifier on a 1971 60hp 3 cyl Evinrude in an attempt to stop the wires shorting out where they come out of the module.<br /><br />If there's meant to be voids in there it won't help if I fill them with goop, or if I put goop where it ain't supposed to be.<br /><br />Anybody know what's behind the green door (well, the black rubber grommet thingy, anyway)?<br /><br />Also, there are various aftermarket generics covering a range of OEM amplifiers from places like CDI at a lower price than the OEM part. I'm wondering if there is an even cheaper option like a part off a 1970's car or motorbike?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

What's in there? Voodoo.<br /><br />A car or motorbike replacement? Check on the cost and/or availability of a piston first.<br /><br />Stick with CDI. They live and breathe the marine environment.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Tinkerer2]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

Dhadley<br /><br />Fortunately my bride hasn't seen your reply or she'd think the module was full of expensive Voodoo perfume and, in her first demonstration of mechanical interest in 31 years of wedded bliss, would be pulling it apart as I write. I doubt she would make it any worse than it already is, or than I am going to.<br /><br />As you've limited the consequences of a non-genuine/CDI part to replacing a piston, I'm assuming any non-marine part would hole a piston. Why? Running too lean or too far advanced? Not built for 3 cyl? <br /><br />Anyway, you didn't frighten me. I haven't priced a piston specifically but on the basis of those parts for another vintage Evinrude I could probably buy all three of them and the rings for the price of a new amplifier.<br /><br />On a separate issue, you can have a laugh that I spent ages trying to get the '71 hydro-electric into neutral before starting it because that's where I thought it should be to start (along with a couple of other wrong assumptions on my part, but they can be left to another time when I'm willing to be laughed at). Despite the fact that you posted that the motor needed to be running to operate the pump, I spent hours tryng to get the shift buttons to make it leap into neutral before reviewing your post and realising that I'd got on the wrong tram and then saying a lot of short, sharp words relating to me being a ******* idiot etc.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

There's smoke behind that green door! Don't let it out.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

R.Johnson<br /><br />Oh, dear!<br /><br />Where's there's smoke there's fire.<br /><br />I guess that explains the state of the wiring.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

Tinker2: Did you ever find a wiring diagram for that engine? If you give me your Email, I'll try to send you one.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

To get right to your question, there's been some discussion of the potting materials common in marine 'powerpacks', on the Old Mercs website. There was an extended discussion of pulling the powerpack apart, fixing it, putting it back together, etc.. Should be able to find it by a search there. Personally, I don't know if I'd go far out to sea on a motor I'd fixed myself that way, but I don't have much skill with electronics anyway.<br /><br />A couple other points may be of interest. One, you can run an amp from a 1969-72 V4 on your motor. There are two types on the V4, sensor- and points-triggered, you need an amp from a points-triggered motor (85hp, or 1970/71 100hp), the amp box should be the same shape as yours.<br /><br />Secondly, you're right that you've got a fairly standard ignition design (battery feed, points-triggered with CD amplifier). As you know, cars ran battery/points/coil ignitions for > 50 years. Towards the end of those years, CD ignitions became popular on cars, mostly aftermarket replacement but some direct from the manufacturer. The CD amp is hooked up to 12V, and just uses the points as a signal to fire the capacitor. You get a spark with a faster rise time (if I remember right), and the points have much less current through them. So, can you use an old car CD amplifier? In theory, shouldn't be a problem, assuming it can live in the marine environment. However, in theory you should also be able to easily switch back to a good old battery/points/coil ignition, yet we've had conflicting reports from people who've tried it. You'll need to search the archives here from 2-3 years ago to get to some reports from people who got it working well. I have a old 85hp V4 I plan to try this on at some point, but haven't yet. Should work fine (we're not talking rocket science here).

 

[Tinkerer2]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

R.Johnson<br /><br />Yes, another member was kind enough to send me very detailed wiring diagrams and other info. <br /><br />Thanks for your offer, though.<br /><br />It's a straightforward system once you've got the right diagram, but I realized after getting the diagram that there wasn't much chance I would have worked it out by trial and error. The Clymer was wrong on only one, or maybe two, lead colours but it was enough to make it impossible to wire up correctly and it didn't exactly build confidence in the rest of the Clymer diagram.<br /><br />I wish my current problem could be solved with another diagram.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

ledgefinder<br /><br />Thanks for your post.<br /><br />You reminded me of something else. In the late '70's and early 80's there were aftermarket breakerless ignition systems being added to some cars. I put one my Triumph 2500S around 1980 as a result of the appalling standard of Lucas electrics on British cars. You didn't get the 2500S in the US and you were lucky not to. Maybe you didn't get Lucas electrics either. Lucky again. Lucas is commonly known here in Australia as the "Prince of Darkness".<br /><br />Anyway, can breaker point outboards be adapted to breakerless without much trouble? The advantage is that you can forget about setting and wearing out points.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

You'd have to find a sensor & pickup that would fit in the space given and somehow attach to the flywheel - tricky. I'd try a battery/points/coil system, planning on switching back to the CD amp when you can find one reasonably. (When I don't need one right now) I usually can find them used for $10-60, as part of a parts motor. People on here seem to get good service from the CDI Rapair brand ones, if you buy new.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

The points are "maker" points as opposed to "breaker" points. With magneto ignition, the spark is triggered by the points breaking contact. With amplified battery electronic ignition, the spark is triggered when the points close. There's a lot more arcing when you break a connection than when you close it, so points on electronic ignitions last longer.<br /><br />You wouldn't be able to time the motor if you changed the components to a breaker style ignition. The timing would be backwards (so to speak).<br /><br />I had a 60Hp Evinrude and went through exactly what you are. I eventually had to bite the bullet and get a new amplifier, and I got a new coil too (recommended). After all the intermittent breakdowns and paddling, it was nice to have a reliable ignition system. You have to have a good healthy battery with clean tight connections. Corroded connections or barely-snug wingnuts can damage them very quickly.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

Premature post deleted by Tinkerer in the interest of not wasting other members's time on a problem Tinkerer might yet solve by going through testing procedures for the umpteenth time.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

I did an outstanding job re-sheathing the bare wires back into the amplifier with liquid electric tape. Still came up dead on all the tests. <br /><br />If there was any doubt, I think I killed it for sure it when it shorted out big time when I gave it the big wiggle test, blowing the fuse and giving off a bit of smoke which looked pretty terminal. <br /><br />Turns out the wires are bare or sheathing broken down back into the green resin, which I chiselled out to have a look as part of the post-mortem. <br /><br />New part costs AU$640. About half what the motor is worth going. Not worth it to me, especially as the clipper circuit failed its tests and I ain't putting a $640 amp in without a clipper circuit, which costs some ridiculous amount as well. Parts are cheaper in the US, but not to the extent that it makes it worth importing them from there.<br /><br />Me sad.<br /><br />On the bright side, it only owes me $100 and I'll get that back just on the starter motor. All the rest is profit. I'm going into the parts business for a while.<br /><br />At least now I know what it looks like inside.<br /><br />Thanks for all the help and advice to all who posted.

 

[alcan]

Re: What's inside a 1971 OMC 60 hp amplifier?

Hi Tinkerer<br />Sorry to hear of your plight. Sounds as if you still have the right attitude though. When life turns to lemons, make lemonade! Hear in the U.S. parts seem to be less than down under. The thing is the motors are worth less also. I still find it very challenging (I never have) to make these repairs and stay with in market value. I own and run a 1968 55hp model. My ego got in the way and I was determined to save this thing. After all it was in very nice mechanical condition. I was sucessful, it runs nicely. The trouble is I spent way more money on the parts than the motor is worth. Now I will have to use the darn thing for the rest of my life just to break even. We have lots of these models here both three and four cyl. Quite a few are still in great shape mechanicly. I pass on most of them. It just drives me nuts. The good news is you got the expirence with this system, and I am sure you had some fun. I had fun helping you and I am looking forward to see what you drag in for your next project. Good luck.