1970? Evinrude 60HP 3cyl Ignition problems

[mustman65]

Hello! I have owned my 1970 MFG Tri-Hull for 7 years. It has been garage kept until the last 2 years, has low hours, and is as clean under the motor cover as the interior is. While the boat looks fantastic for its age, it has in fact, stopped running. Last summer, I began to have problems with the engine, which would take some time (cranking) before it would start. When the motor fired, it would run flawlessly, though at random times (typically after about 10 minutes of running) it would shut down, as if I turned the key off. After waiting a while, it would fire again. It did this for a few trips down the river, until the stalling worsened, and finally the engine would not rev much above idle when it did start. It now does nothing.

The engine is clean, compression is 115+ in each cyl, all the ground connections are clean, and were cleaned again! The last time I checked, I am getting no spark whatsoever. I have talked to a few Evinrude service places, and when I describe the year and model of the engine, they typically seem to run away as if I have the plague and an assortment of STD's combined!? I'm left with no suggestions.

I am familiar with mechanics and automobile ignitions in general, but not as much with this engine. (This model has an amplifier module, as well as points and condenser.) If anyone has information as to the production year of this engine, or possible solutions for my ignition problems, it would be greatly appreciated.

Specs:
1970? Evinrude Triumph 60HP 3Cyl, 2-Stroke Outboard
Model: 60073B
Serial: J03211
Throttle assembly is "Selectric" push button shift (This may help with year?)

I thought I would also add: The amplifier unit was replaced at some point with an OMC unit. It is not original, (It's shiny!) but I have no idea how old it may be.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1970? Evinrude 60HP 3cyl Ignition problems

60073 60 Hp 1970

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1970? Evinrude 60HP 3cyl Ignition problems

Welcome to iboat.

She is in fact a 1970.

Regarding the No Start, check out the link in the FAQ by JB entitled, Outboard Wont Start, and let us know what you find.

If those coils are original, Im sure they are likely one of your issues. Has the carb been thoroughally cleaned and rebuilt? Battery fully charged and load tested?

 

[mustman65]

Re: 1970? Evinrude 60HP 3cyl Ignition problems

Thank you tx1961whaler!

 

[mustman65]

Re: 1970? Evinrude 60HP 3cyl Ignition problems

Thank you for the welcome HighTrim! I've never registered for a boat forum (am on a few for my classic cars), but this one seems like a good bunch of folks so far! I'm taking a look at the "Won't Start" forum as I post this, and I have rebuilt the carbs within the last 2 years. My battery is new, and I did have Sears check it at the end of the summer this year. One thing that I have noticed in a post or two is the suggestion to individually test the resistance of each wire from the ignition block and so on. This may be helpful as well!? The engine has one coil, which goes to a round black box underneath the flywheel, (assuming a distributor?). I have not had the flywheel off, but an Evinrude mechanic checked and set my points this past summer as well.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1970? Evinrude 60HP 3cyl Ignition problems

That is a "battery CD ignition system". Not the greatest invention in the world, but it should work if everything is correct. Unlike the "mag CD ignition" that followed, yours runs off the battery. 12Volts is amplified to 300 volts and stored in a capacitor in the amplifier. When the points break, it tells the amplifier to discharge that 300 volts through the coil primary. The coil is a transformer that boosts the 300V to whatever it takes to fire the plugs. You are correct, there are two sets of points, but no condenser.

The weak spot is the sorry distributor that directs the spark to the correct plug. They were sorry when it was new and still are.

Trouble shooting involves first making sure you have close to 12V input to the amplifier with the key on and cranking. Then disconnect the coil primary lead and unbolt the coil and unscrew it from the distributor. Then remount it and reconnect the primary lead. Rig up a spark gap from the coil spark lead. Now disconnect the lead going to the points and with the key turned on (12V to the amp), brush the amp lead that went to the points across a bare metal ground. There should be a bunch of sparks across the spark gap. If all that happens, the system is OK up to that point.

Pull the flywheel and check the distributor and all plug wires. Make sure the points are set at .010". They are pretty fussy. There is a silver wire spring in there that keeps the motor from running backwards. If that anti-reverse spring is run dry it wears badly and the metal dust from it contaminates the distributor. It should be lubricated very sparingly with just a fine bead of EP grease. Of course if it wears out and breaks, the pieces may short out the points and you will have no spark.

Use L77JC4 spark plugs. If it still has the original surface gap plugs, toss them in the garbage.

Hope this helps a little bit.

 

[mustman65]

Re: 1970? Evinrude 60HP 3cyl Ignition problems

Thank you F R! Anything helps me at this point! I did have the original surface gap plugs until this year! I'll double check to make sure that the number you just gave me matches the ones I have. I am thinking about spending some time on the motor tomorrow after work (It's getting a little dark here and I do have the boat moved outside temporarily.) I did have my points set to .010 this summer, but I have never had the flywheel off myself. I like to see things for myself anyway, so I will take a look in as well. I'll try the coil/amplifier test tomorrow, and will let you know how things test out.