Re: 1964 5.5hp johnson..
No, they mean run a wire up the boot and hook the other end to the engine block (ground). This shorts it out, preventing any sort of spark.<br /><br />I think the big worry is that a spark will 'escape' and be drawn to the engine block, igniting whatever fuel is around on the way. I'll tell you though that on the magneto on your 5.5hp, this scenario is exceedingly unlikely if not impossible. Also, no damage will be done to the magneto's components.<br /><br />On a modern engine, I would want spark disabled somehow.
