NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

[Glassmate Driver]

Does anyone have a wiring diagram or can tell me how to convert from an amplifier (power pack) to automotive ignition? 1970 60 HP Electric Shift

 

[JB]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

Why in the world would you want to do that, Driver?<br /><br />Your Service Manual will have a diagram.

 

[Glassmate Driver]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

I've been told it can be done. That it would be cheaper than a power pack.

 

[papasmurf]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

I've done it before but it has been 25+ years since. I know you need an automotive coil and a ballast resistor. The power from the key switch goes to the ballast resistor then to the positive side of the coil. The negative side of the coil is attached to the points wire. The tower of the coil is connected to the coil tower of the distributer cap. This is all from a memory that is fading fast so I hope it is correct.

 

[Glassmate Driver]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

papasmurf Thanks I will see what happens.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

It won't work. That motor uses Maker points that fire the spark when the points Close. Conventional ignition uses Breaker points that fire the spark when the points Open. You'd have to change the points cam to get correct timing, but there isn't one. It's ground into the crankshaft.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

A power pack is not expensive.

 

[papasmurf]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

I am not aware of any Johnson/Evinrude that used maker points. I know of a couple of Mercs that do.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: NEED HELP !!!!!! 1970 60 HP Johnson

Motors that have amplified ignition have maker points. They often outlast the motor. Merc had a version and OMC had one. I bleieve Chrysler did as well. Breaker points wear out quickly because of the arcing that takes place when the contacts separate and voltage keeps on trucking. There is far less arcing when the contacts meet because the voltage isn't in motion yet. That's why they went to amplified ignition, for longevity. But the amps suck worse! Points are cheap in comparison.<br /><br />I have heard of it being done successfully on V-4s. I suspect you can bump the firing order (advancing or retarding the wires by 1 position) to make the points open close to the right time, but I have a hard time believing that the advance curve could be the same as if they were designed that way. I can see a whole lot of ways that performance wouldn't be as good.