1964 Johnson Super Seahorse

[Smiles79]

Hi friends,

I have a 1964 Pipestone with a 65 horsepower Johnson Super Seahorse. I had it out on the water last week after having my buddy fix a few things on it (bearings in the gearcase and a couple other things) and everything was going great until it out-of-nowhere shut off suddenly and I have not been able to get it started since, and I have no spark. My gut tells me its electrical. I noticed there were some bare wires leading to the plug that plugs into the metal box inside the compartment where the fuel tank sits. I spliced in some new wires (although the wires that are still there are still in rough shape) and still nothing.

I'm thinking:

Ignition switch. Mine has 5 poles labeled M, M, A, S, batt. I've gathered that these stand for magneto, magneto, accessory, starter, and battery, respectively. How can I test this switch to see if it is operating correctly?

Ignition coil. I donno just an idea. How can I test it?

When my buddy was working on it he put new plugs and plug wires in it. Any and all help and suggestions will be greatly appreaciated!

Thanks,

Smiles

 

[jimmbo]

Well the only year there was a V4 65hp Johnson was 1968. It had an electronic ignition triggered by breaker points. In 1972 and 73 there was a 3 cylinder 65hp. What's the model number of the engine in question?

 

[Smiles79]

The model number is VXL-10S.

I figured I would check and probably replace the points and condenser. How can I take the pulley on top of the distributer off to get at them? And how do Iine everything up right when I put the timming belt back on?

Thanks

 

[Smiles79]

Also, where can I get these parts?

 

[F_R]

Well, you got the year right. But it is 60hp, not 65. You will see a timing mark on the magneto belt pulley. Align that mark with the center of the safety switch plunger. Now look at the flywheel and recoil starter. There are timing marks on those also---plus another one on top of the engine block. All three of those should be aligned when magneto pulley is aligned as I just described. When everything is aligned, it is safe to remove the belt and pulley from magneto. Put it back together the same way.

You can get points and condenser right here at iboats.

 

[Smiles79]

I have no experience with these motors, what is the safety witch plunger? Where is it and what does it look like?

Also,do I need a special tool to get that pulley off the distributer?

 

[F_R]

There is SUPPOSED to be a switch mounted on the magneto bracket, operated by throttle/spark advance position. Yeah, I know, people say it isn't needed and throw it away. No special tool needed. just remove the nut and the pulley slides up and off.

 

[F_R]

No Title

If the switch is missing, you can calculate where it ought to be, centered between the two screw holes

 

[Smiles79]

Thanks guys! I'm going to get a new set of points and a condenser and try replacing those. iboats doesn't seem to have parts for my model, does anyone know another good site to check?

 

[willvincent]

Not sure about the OMC parts, but aftermarket parts from sierra ARE available here in the iboats store, maybe tricky to find..
Points: OMC part#580290 -- sierra part #18-5157 (I think you need 2 of these)
Condenser: OMC part#580256 -- sierra part #18-5200

You should be able to find them by either the OMC part number or the sierra part number.

 

[willvincent]

By the way, you can get a pdf of the service manual for $5 from http://johnson.marineservicemanuals.com/

 

[Smiles79]

I actually found a tune up kit on "marine engine" that includes two sets of points, a condenser, and a rotor. I figured if none of those are the issue then they should probably be replaced anyway. I'm hoping the coil is fine because they seem to be close to $250.

Thanks willvincent!

 

[Smiles79]

Replacing the points, condenser, and rotor didn't seem to work. I suppose the next step is the coil. How do i remove it and test it?

Also, how long should the little graphite brush inside the distributer be?

And the points came with some lube, and I put it on the contacting surface between the points and the shaft, is that correct?

Thanks!