1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

[Kevin 393]

hi guys Im from Canada and I have a 1962 40 hp johnson outboard motor I havent ran in about 12 years now that I have kids Im getting it ready so I can put my old boat back in action on the rivers but I now have problems with the top plug not wanting to fire I tested the wire's and the condensor's are new and even switched the points from side to side and the bottom plug fires with no probs . Oh and I set the points at 0.20 thou like it should be can any one help me thanks .

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

Don't know your motor but bad coil maybe ???
Welcome to iboats.

 

[Kevin 393]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

I put a new coil on and the same thing no spark this has me stumped . The motor is a 1962 johnson 40hp super seahorse model is RDS28B .

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

Check where the coil wire shoves into the coil, they look like they are in but they can come out, I got a 64 40 big twin next door to me, that was the issue.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

Check the kill circuit wiring.

 

[Elbo]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

Sounds like points to me.If it's fireing on the lower then the coil is ok.You didn't say the points were new.This is a single coil motor right?If so take a finger nail file,open the breakers and put the file between them and clean them, easy now.I keep a pack of cardboard file,ie dollar store just for this.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

According to the reference material I could find, a RDS28B is a 1966 model. That may not be important during your troubleshooting phase but it could be when you need to buy parts. Good luck!

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

It is a two-coil motor, not single coil. Swap the coils and see if the problem goes to the top cylinder...if so, consider replacing both coils. Check your plug wires, too. Disconnect the kill circuit wire, one of the points will have three wires going to it rather than two...the third wire connects to the vacuum cut-out switch that protects your motor from over-revving. Could also be a bad plug. Work through it logically and post back with your results.

 

[Kevin 393]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

This is a twin point set on the motor and I switched the points from side to side and the same thing happenes . I put a new woodriff key in the crank new coil on the side that has no fire cleaned the points new condensors gapped the points to 20 thou checked the plug wire with a ohm meeter . I will check once again to make sure that the wire is pushed into place on the coil . Thanks for the info guys if you have any more info would be glad to get it from you's

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

Disconnect the vacuum cut out switch and try again.

 

[Kevin 393]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

Thanks guys I found the problem it is a black wire that runs down the side of the metal pipe that has a clip on it and itruns up to the key switch I think it maybe one half of the kill switch not sure but motor runs not bad with the fresh watter flush kit on it so I will put the boat in the river next weekend and try it out . I just want to say thanks to all you great people for your help THANK YOU ALL from Kevin in Ontario Canada!!!!!

 

[Kevin 393]

Re: 1962 40hp johnson cant get fire on top plug

my 40 hp is running but gets hard to start I may have to get a carb rebuild kit for it