1987 2.3L ford

[Buffalo Bob]

I have a 2.3L ford omc cobra drive with no spark at the points. With the ignition on I have power to both posts on the coil. I am using a light to check voltage. When the engine is turned over the light on the points side of the coil does not go off and on, just stays on. The points are opening and closing but no spark. Any ideas?

 

[Stachi]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

sounds like you are shorting to the block at the points...

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

Thanks for the reply Stachi. I also had to disconnect the tach wire from the coil,it was draining the power to the coil. I will try to bypass that section on the harness to the distributor and let you know how it works out.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

I finally got a chance to work on the spark problem. It loods like the condensor wire was touching the distributor wall and shorting out. I took the points and condensor out and reinstalled them. The boat fired right up! But now when the shifter is in neutral the prop is turning as if in forward. Whats up with that? Thanks Stachi for your help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

But now when the shifter is in neutral the prop is turning as if in forward. Whats up with that?

Ayuh,... If it's actually in neutral, it's probably just the drag of the oil making it appear to be in gear...

 

[Stachi]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

I finally got a chance to work on the spark problem. It loods like the condensor wire was touching the distributor wall and shorting out. I took the points and condensor out and reinstalled them. The boat fired right up! But now when the shifter is in neutral the prop is turning as if in forward. Whats up with that? Thanks Stachi for your help.

Glad you found the ignition problem....as for being in neutral...with the engine off and shifter in neutral...try and turn the prop by hand..if it will turn freely, it is in neutral .

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

I went out and tried to turn the prop and it wouldn't turn with the shifter in neutral. Any ideas?

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

I went out and tried to turn the prop and it wouldn't turn with the shifter in neutral. Any ideas?

Do you think draining the outdrive and putting fresh lube would help? HELP!

 

[bomar76]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

Do you think draining the outdrive and putting fresh lube would help? HELP!

Not even remotely possible.

It sounds like, at the least, a new lower shift cable is in your future....or someone had the drive off and reassembled it without the shifter in FORWARD.
Crawl underneath it and look at the shifter shoe......is it pointing straight ahead when the shifter is in neutral?

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

Thanks bomar76 for your reply.Tomorrow I will check out that shifter shoe and answer back. I do know that the out drive has not been worked on lately.(last 15 years.) The shift cable does move alittle when I pulled on it, but has a large spot where the cable cover is worn off.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Re: 1987 2.3L ford

I had a chance to look at the drive yesterday. When I loward the drive all the way down I was able to turn the prop freely. So I started up the engine and went to forward. shifted very easy, back to neutral, shifted very easy also. But when I put it into reverse nothing. It stayed in neutral. Should I try this in the water. Could it make a difference? Thanx!