1965 West Bend 50 HP Outboard with No Spark

[gaffer1950]

I have a 1965 West Bend 50 HP Outboard that was running fine when put away last fall. Attempted to start today and found that it had no spark. M wiring at switch appears to be ok open when on and continuity when off. After disconnecting both black wires that go to the points from the terminal block I find that there is continuity through a full revolution on the motor. I believe this should show an open circuit when the points are open or am I incorrect in this assumption? Anything else I should be looking at? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[F_R]

Your assumption is not correct. When the points are open, there still is a low resistance through the coil's primary winding to ground (about an ohm or less).
Remove the points and take them apart (if possible on that motor). Polish each contact individually, shiny bright. Reassemble and set points gap to .020" at widest opening. I'm betting you will have spark.

 

[gaffer1950]

Thanks for the info. I'll pull Flywheel today and clean up the points. Hope to have her running for use this weekend.

 

[gaffer1950]

F_R Thanks again, Cleaned Points and she started right up and runs like watch. One more question if you have the time. I have been running a 24:1 Fuel / Oil mix because all literature I found said that this is correct ratio. It does seem to smoke more than I think it should. Some people (at the lake) have told me that when using the new TC-W3 oils I can use a 50:1 mix. Do you know if this is correct? I love this old motor and am using it on a 1964 Starcraft SeaMist. I wouldn't want to take a chance of not having proper lubrication and losing this motor.

 

[F_R]

That question always stirs up everybody's emotions (and arguments). I guess the choice is up to you. However, some facts: It is SUPPOSED to smoke. You can lessen the smoke by using 100% Synthetic TC-W3 outboard oil. It's bio-degradeable too, which is a consideration because a lot gets dumped into the lake. That's all I ever use. (Pennzoil).

Where and how fast you are running it also affects smoke. In the driveway is probably the worst.

 

[ronboonville]

If you love that old motor stay with manufacture's ratio. I might try the synthetic oil because sometimes there is so much smoke the neighbors might call the fire department.

 

[gaffer1950]

Thanks F_R and ronboonville. I'll stick with the 24:1 ratio and use the Penzoil TC-W3 ... Going Boating tomorrow. Weather in upstate NY is beautiful.