1974 Evinrude 15hp - Electrical/Points - Look at Pictures

[Super Chopper]

I have a 1974 Evinrude 15hp that?s giving me a hard time. Something with the electrical system isn?t right.

Here?s the history?

Rebuilt carburetor and, added new ignition coils and plugs in a few months ago, and outboard was running great.

Last week, one cylinder cuts out.

Get it home and start playing around with the outboard. Finally get it started. Sometimes one cylinder is working, sometimes both, sometimes none. When I pull the plugs out, they usually have spark, but not always. Wiggling the plug wires seems to help.

I don?t think it?s the ignition coils because they?re new. Maybe the points or magneto? Fuel system/pump/carb are in good shape, so that?s not the cause.

Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot? What to check first?

Thanks, everyone.

Here?s more. I knocked the flywheel off yesterday and found that all the electrical components look clean and in great shape. The only thing that looked suspicious are the points. One point-head is resting against the shaft and one isn?t.

Is there supposed to be a gap between the shaft and the points? Could this be the problem? Here are some photos?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 15hp - Electrical/Points - Look at Pictures

Set the points as follows. Have the flywheel key aligned with the fiber rubber portion of the ignition points. Adjust the gap so that a .020 gauge will pass thru but a .022 will not. Should there be any question of the points being dirty (touching the contact with your finger would cause them to be dirty), clean them with a small brush and acetone or lacquer thinner.

NOTE: Should the operating cam have a small portion on it with the word "SET" imprinted, align this portion with the fiber rubbing portion instead of the flywheel key.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 15hp - Electrical/Points - Look at Pictures

And yes, there should be a gap between the rubbing block and cam when the points are closed. Otherwise, how could they ensure they close completely?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 15hp - Electrical/Points - Look at Pictures

Looks to me like the pick-up coil isn't set-up correctly.

 

[mikesea]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 15hp - Electrical/Points - Look at Pictures

If all the technical stuff still dont work.Check the kil switch by disconnecting the leads.Believe it or not,those can be symptoms.

 

[OLDIRON]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 15hp - Electrical/Points - Look at Pictures

My motor is just like yours,and had the same issues.Throw the old points and condensers away,new ones are cheap.The wear blocks wear out,the condensers break down,and the points springs get weak.These motors have weak spark as it is,and they need all the help they can get.Also make sure the weatherpack connectors to the spark coils are clean.Also plugs,some plugs just won't work in these motors because of their weak spark.Good luck.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 15hp - Electrical/Points - Look at Pictures

Looks to me like the pick-up coil isn't set-up correctly.

It does look that way at a glance. But after looking at it a little bit more, I decided it's ok.
In the one view, the one set of points looks like it has some greasy stuff on the contacts. Excellent pictures, by the way.