1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

[imported_Norm]

Fairbanks magneto model 4-D have voltage to high tension lead tab when spin mag shaft.. No spark at plug

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Clean up the points. Be very careful removing the rotor. Don't pry against the plastic housing. Rebuild the water and fuel pumps. If there's black goo in the distributor, you'll need a coil. Check for rust on the points cam, and put a tiny dab of silicon grease on it. .014 points gap? (been a long time)

 

[Kajun37]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

norm..i have a 1961 merc 500...i've been out in the garage all night tearing it apart....luckily my magneto works cuz i havent the slightest idea on how to fix it lol but i'm sure i'll learn soon enough cuz i'm going to rebuild and restore whole motor... do you know about the oldmerc site for parts?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

there are several threads here that make interesting reading. awakening a sleeping outboard, won't start, and several others.
http://www.iboats.com/bbboard/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewforum;fid=36

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Norm, if thats a 4D magneto and if should be, its not a fairbanks morse its a kiekhafer, a better mag but parts are only avialable tyhru mercury dealers, setting around that long it probably need a condenser and new points if you are planing to use it, clean is OK to get it running but won't last in nornal usage very long. If avialably dwell at 48 degrees, don't use red or green caps every day they short out otten. Parts are expencive for that mag but last a long tine went installed properly-PTS-$40, cond -$5, cap-$110 and rotor-$65 approximately--nice huh

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Norm - if you need one, I have a PDF file that contains instructions on how to make a dwell gauge (for setting dwell at 48*), as used in the manual. Manual is available at oldmercs.com.
- Scott

 

[Kajun37]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

chine...i'd like a copy of that please.....kajun29 at yahoo.com

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

The plate works great we used one for many years, but before we got a sun dist machine we used a old fashioned dwell meter and a extra mag drive shaft that we turned down to fit a 3/8th drill with it and the wires disconnected you can set the dwell easily and also ck the primary side ot coil voltage output with a AC voltmeter a little cruder than the fancier Sun machine but it got it done for many years on 55 and 30 mags we ran and still use it alot--Bob

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Norm, if thats a 4D magneto and if should be, its not a fairbanks morse its a kiekhafer, a better mag but parts are only avialable tyhru mercury dealers, setting around that long it probably need a condenser and new points if you are planing to use it, clean is OK to get it running but won't last in nornal usage very long. If avialably dwell at 48 degrees, don't use red or green caps every day they short out otten. Parts are expencive for that mag but last a long tine went installed properly-PTS-$40, cond -$5, cap-$110 and rotor-$65 approximately--nice huh

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Norm, if thats a 4D magneto and if should be, its not a fairbanks morse its a kiekhafer, a better mag but parts are only avialable tyhru mercury dealers, setting around that long it probably need a condenser and new points if you are planing to use it, clean is OK to get it running but won't last in nornal usage very long. If avialably dwell at 48 degrees, don't use red or green caps every day they short out otten. Parts are expencive for that mag but last a long tine went installed properly-PTS-$40, cond -$5, cap-$110 and rotor-$65 approximately--nice huh

Points look good. installed new cond. Kiek mag. correct. Still no spark at plug. plug wires good (4). I am not an electrician, but have continuity between mag housing and terminal on points that cond, coil lead attaches to. Is that correct? ok? doesn't change when points open and close. Cap, rotor look ok. Cap and rotor are GRAY color, not red or green.

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

norm..i have a 1961 merc 500...i've been out in the garage all night tearing it apart....luckily my magneto works cuz i havent the slightest idea on how to fix it lol but i'm sure i'll learn soon enough cuz i'm going to rebuild and restore whole motor... do you know about the oldmerc site for parts?

Oldmerc site. Yea bought manuals. Grubs Marine on east coast. I too will restore motor. Have it on a LONESTAR MYSTIC. Fiber Glass 1960's ( River boat )

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Clean up the points. Be very careful removing the rotor. Don't pry against the plastic housing. Rebuild the water and fuel pumps. If there's black goo in the distributor, you'll need a coil. Check for rust on the points cam, and put a tiny dab of silicon grease on it. .014 points gap? (been a long time)

No goo. even smells good! Water pump rebuilt, workin from the bottom up. Points look good. New condenser. Still no spark. Wires good. Not eletrician, but have continuity between terminal,on points cond lead and coil lead attach to. That ok?? when points open close nothing changes, still have continuity when points open....

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Norm - if you need one, I have a PDF file that contains instructions on how to make a dwell gauge (for setting dwell at 48*), as used in the manual. Manual is available at oldmercs.com.
- Scott

Please send it. normterry@earthlink.net

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Hi Norm,
Will send on Monday - the file is on my machine at work...
As for checking the spark - work outwards. With the cap off, you can rest the housing against a bench vice and hold the coil spru about 3/8 to 1/2 inch away from the vice. Spin the mag over and you should get a good spark. That will either eliminiate or point to the rotor and cap as an issue. If no spark at this point then look into the mag itself.
The points on these mags need to be SPOTLESS. Polish them up with 600 grit, then clean them with carb cleaner or lacquer thinner.
If you're concerned about the terminal post, remove it from the equation. If you undo the point and condenser wires from the post, and the post grounds to the housing, you've found your problem. Clip the points and consenser wires together, away from the post, and spin it over again against the vice. Process of elimination may lead you to the issue...
- Scott
- Scott

 

[Kajun37]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

chine i'll forward it too him.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Kagun, know any of the guys at Bills marine Portsmouth--Bob

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

"Parts are expencive for that mag but last a long tine went installed properly-PTS-$40, cond -$5, cap-$110 and rotor-$65"

Interesting...I have 4D off a 62 45hp, with good cap, but not pulled apart. I WAS going to just toss it on Ebay for 10 bucks start, but think I will rip it down and see whats good. Motor torched a couple pistons...parted out

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

"Parts are expencive for that mag but last a long tine went installed properly-PTS-$40, cond -$5, cap-$110 and rotor-$65"

Interesting...I have 4D off a 62 45hp, with good cap, but not pulled apart. I WAS going to just toss it on Ebay for 10 bucks start, but think I will rip it down and see whats good. Motor torched a couple pistons...parted out

Is it from a 4 cylinder? I may be interested, before you disect it.

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

Hi Norm,
Will send on Monday - the file is on my machine at work...
As for checking the spark - work outwards. With the cap off, you can rest the housing against a bench vice and hold the coil spru about 3/8 to 1/2 inch away from the vice. Spin the mag over and you should get a good spark. That will either eliminiate or point to the rotor and cap as an issue. If no spark at this point then look into the mag itself.
The points on these mags need to be SPOTLESS. Polish them up with 600 grit, then clean them with carb cleaner or lacquer thinner.
If you're concerned about the terminal post, remove it from the equation. If you undo the point and condenser wires from the post, and the post grounds to the housing, you've found your problem. Clip the points and consenser wires together, away from the post, and spin it over again against the vice. Process of elimination may lead you to the issue...
- Scott
- Scott

Scott, thanks.
Did a double take on condition of points. yer right gotta be SPOTLESS. Got spark !!! Will boat!!!!

 

[imported_Norm]

Re: 1962 MERC 500 no spark asleep for 20 yrs

The plate works great we used one for many years, but before we got a sun dist machine we used a old fashioned dwell meter and a extra mag drive shaft that we turned down to fit a 3/8th drill with it and the wires disconnected you can set the dwell easily and also ck the primary side ot coil voltage output with a AC voltmeter a little cruder than the fancier Sun machine but it got it done for many years on 55 and 30 mags we ran and still use it alot--Bob

Alternative to using an xtra max shaft, CAREFULLY. WRap black elec tape around mag shaft, so splines DO NOT GET DAMAGED. Force a socket over the shaft 3/8 drive. get or make a 3/8 square head bolt on your grinder. Stick it in a cordless drill. daa 3/8 square end in socket drive end. Spin that mag shaft. DONT damage the spline!!