1956 johnson 30 horse

[fast525]

Me again guys , I'm back to my other project boat a 1953 Lone Star Admiral w/ a 56' 30 hp. The problem is that I've got good compression (160lbs on both), good spark and the top cyl is firing great ,it even idles on the top cyl . The problem is it does'nt run on the bottom cyl . I've tried switching plugs , but with the spark that I'm getting that was the only thing I could think of that would be bad . Any suggestions? I'm going to try to posta pic.of the setup .

 

[alcan]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Hi JHM<br /> Some how or another your not getting spark to the bottom hole. Have you actually pulled the flywheel and disasembled the ignit for cleaning and inspection? Is there a short in the plug wire? Are the coils leaking (arcing to the stator plate)? How about the vacuume rev. limiter? Kill button? Did you set the points correctly?

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

So far this is what I've done to the engine;added fuel pump , one coil , rebuilt carb and new points set at 20 . I am getting a good spark at the plug w/ it out but I don't know what I'm getting under compression . One thing that did happen is that the flywheel was rubbing against the older coil . Could that have shorted the coil out to where it would'nt fire under compression ? It looks like it might have gotton a little hot from the friction . Thanks

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Oh yea , and a new water pump of course .

 

[alcan]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

JHM <br /> I think the only reason for spark failure under compression would be a bad plug. Are you sure you set the points 180 degrees @ .20. How about that rev limit switch? The only other thing I can think of right now, might be a bad lower main seal. I sort of dought it though. This older coil that got rubbed, is that the one for the bottom cyl? I've seen these rubbed pretty badly and still work fine. I would suspect it more because of age. Oh yes, did you replace the cam right side up?

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

points are @ 20 ,it 's the coil for the bottom cyl, I did'nt take the cam off I don't think and I don't think this motor has a rev limiter . If it does where would it be ? Thanks again , Jeff

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

I swapped plugs first because that's what I initially thought it was .

 

[alcan]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

JHM <br /> Timing was the point I was trying to get at. We have to have the spark at the right time. The 180 degrees is the important factor. The rev limit switch is located on the mounts that hold the rope starter,electstarter and bonnet. It will have a vacuume hose and some wires attached to it. This switch shorts out one coil in the event of runaway (over rev). I think its that old coil though. Switch coils and see what happens.

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Roger that , I'll swap them out first thing in the a.m. and get a new one for it anyway . The other one is new. As far as the 180 timing , are you talking about turning the cam on the crank around to each set of points to set them at the "top" mark , if so , that's how I did set them . As far as timing goes , unless I'm missing something I did'nt see anyway to adjust it other than the points adjustment.

 

[alcan]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

JHM Correct, To properly set the points the stator plate must be at full advance. Set first set of points with #1 cyl. at tdc. Rotate crank 180 to tdc. on the #2 cyl. and adjust that set of points. Sometimes a guy dosen't get this just right and sometimes you have to fudge the point gap a little one way or another to allow for wear. It sounds like you have this pretty much under control though. I suspect were going to find it's the coil. Let me know how you make out tomorrow.

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Absolutly , and thanks . I have'nt been advancing the timing all the way when I set the points but I will . I'm going to bed , I 've got to go help a friend of mine tow a repode boat in about four hours and it's going to take at least the same to get it moved . Thanks again and I will let you know how the ignition problem turns out tomorrow. Jeff Miley

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Alcan , I put a new coil in and it took care of the problem . I just have a little missing at low speed which I think is probably the points . I'll check them again in the morning and try another carb that I have and get back to you . At least I've got it hitting on both cyls. It'll be nice to put it in the water after 5+ years of having the boat and motor and never taking it out . Be back w/ results tomorrow.

 

[alcan]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

JHM, Are you useing the original presure fuel system? The low speed miss, is it more of a sneeze? These older models do that quite a bit sometimes when they first start. It's from a too lean condition. They will tend to do this until the tank builds presure. This can also be caused by a leak in the presure system. The o-rings in the connector is the first place I look. Check the cap gasket and all the screws on the tank. Check to see that the packing nuts around the needle valves are snug and the packing is in good order. You may just have to ritchen the low speed needle a hair.

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

I put a vacume type pump on it . What type plug and gap should I use ? I've ordered a manual for it but it has'nt arrived yet .

 

[alcan]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Hi JHM Champion J6c @ .30

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Hey Alcan ,<br /> Sorry it took so long to get back but 5 kids + 1 ex wife + Christmas , you do the math . I finally got a chance to run the boat IN THE WATER today and I must say it ran great . I got all the fine tuning done and it was fantastic . 45 degrees on the lake and I still stayed out and ran it around for about an hour . I came home and started steel wooling the hull and am taking it out this weekend to the river and show it off . Many thanks for your assistance I'm still trying to figure out how to post a picture on here . As soon as I do I'll let you know . Thanks , again Jeff Miley

 

[alcan]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Right on, Jeff!

 

[Bear]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

Nice job guys! Now we want to see the picture too <br /> Topic: Posting pictures

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

These are a little old . I'm going to try and get some of the boat on the water . Thanks for the pic help .

 

[fast525]

Re: 1956 johnson 30 horse

I'll try it again