1960 40 Horse Johnson RDS-22

[jsngendron]

Recently acquired the above motor on an equally old fiberglass boat that is in very poor condition. The motor appears fine other than being stuck in gear. (the gearbox is junk). The electric start system in the boat is completely junk, but it does have a recoil start built in. I have removed the lower unit and have water hooked up to cool the engine if it starts, but upon pulling it over I don't seem to have spark to either cylinder. Would this have anything to do with the fact that the electric start is junk? Basically, is there anything that needs to happen there before it can be manually started? Or should I just assume that it's an internal problem (which is what I'm thinking.)

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1960 40 Horse Johnson RDS-22

The bad electric start wouldn't have an affect on the sparking of the magneto. But, if you have the wiring harness all hooked up, the keyswitch needs to be turned "on" to get spark. If the harness is not hooked up, the motor should spark. If not, then you have bad coils, points, condensers, plug wires or plugs. Could be any one or all of those ignition parts causing your problem.

 

[danburo]

Re: 1960 40 Horse Johnson RDS-22

The bad electric start wouldn't have an affect on the sparking of the magneto. But, if you have the wiring harness all hooked up, the keyswitch needs to be turned "on" to get spark. If the harness is not hooked up, the motor should spark. If not, then you have bad coils, points, condensers, plug wires or plugs. Could be any one or all of those ignition parts causing your problem.

Is that so even if you are using a pull rope to start it? The reason I ask is mine has all the wires hooked up for an electric start and when just pulling the rope i have compression but no spark.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1960 40 Horse Johnson RDS-22

yes even if using a rope to start. The key switch off grounds both sets of points and it will not spark. If you have a plug in wiring harness just unplug it and if everything else is okay you will have spark.