4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

[Bike Mike]

Model no: 217-59464
My Dad's old motor, sleeping for years... 4.5 Ted Williams with McCullach (sp) on the flywheel. I pulled the flywheel after my spark tester would not show any spark, expecting to find some points and condenser.
Hmmm...say magneto on something in there, and so I am out of ideas on what to look for.
This thing is really cleaning up nicely, and I intend to use it for trolling, if it will run again.
Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

 

[steelespike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

217 is an Eska built motor.59464 is a 74.It uses a Tecumseh aircooled powerhead with a water cooled exhaust leg.Parts are available at certified parts corp.In my opinion not worth too much investment in time and money.
If you plan a reconditioning check the compression and condition of the gearcase and impeller first.I think I recall someone here saying ignition parts are expensive.and the impeller a weak point. You might try a search for Eska and Ted Williams.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

New parts are still available from Sears here>> www3 dot sears.com

There is a good diagram of the ignition system on there.

 

[sdpuff62168]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

its a solid state ignition (no points) you wont find a replacement unless you find an old tecumseh solid state mower with one still good. been there. BUT when you clean up the magnet inside the flywheel and the coil ends next to the solid state magneto it might suprise you. thats what I did and made sure the coil ( transformer ) had good ground to the side and what do you know i had great spark and the motor runs great. Ive been through the whole motor and if you get one for free parts are easy to find and dont go to sears web site. spoke with them and anything 10 years old no parts but some of the simple parts are still used on the newer models and are interchangeable. Impellor was cheap on ebay along with the repair manual. have any ?'s or need help let me know. I really like mine and it runs great and mines 7.5 eska ( gamefisher ) . by the way there is a guy on line who made a replacement system for solid state tecumseh older mowers but works on a 12volt set up if you want to go through the hassle

 

[Bike Mike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

I came down with the flu and spent the last 3 days in bed so I'm late to say thanks for the replies and soon I'll be able to mess with it again.
I will clean things up and see if I can get lucky.
If I don't get lucky, would you say the coil would be the first thing to try? I'm not going to spend too much money on this motor, I have '74 25 hp and a '67 9.5 hp to deal with also. I just thought this one could be a back up as my Dad won't use it any more.
Thanks for the help.

Mike

 

[steelespike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

I think I would be sure the other 2 are running first then price the parts you
need on the Eska.I think ignition parts are expensive.

 

[sdpuff62168]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

good luck getting the parts I couldnt find them anywhere. like i said you might try a tecumseh or mcullough lawn mower store

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

I d....

 

[Bike Mike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

I may have done the "senior" moment thing on the McCulloch thing, one brand name or another was embossed on the flywheel. I'm feeling better so will check that tonight.
Thanks for the replies...

Mike

 

[sdpuff62168]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

Im thinking after doing some research on-line, McCullough did make some boat motor engines but its sketchy on who,what where and when. I'll try to do some more to pin point it down. It wouldnt suprise me cuz tecumseh did it for sears.

 

[Bike Mike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

Yes, it was Tecumseh. My bad... Sorry for the confusion.
I've only had time to shine up the points. Going to check the gap, clean all connections and re-assemble, and hope for "getting lucky".
There was some corrosion on the points...maybe why it stopped running for my Dad years ago or a result of "sleeping" for so long.
Couldn't find any of my old point files. Went to the local auto store and yup, only one of the two young men in the store knew what I was asking for.
Heh heh... makes me smile, and I was pleased I can still buy a point file.
Whether this thing fires up or not after this, I've still had fun opening it up.

Thanks for everyone's comments...

Mike

 

[Bike Mike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

Cleaned and gapped the points, checked all connections...put it all back together and put my spark plug checker on it and held my breath...

YES!!! Good spark! Ha ha! Love it when I get lucky. I'll put it into my tank Saturday and see if it will actually run. I'm thinking it will.
SDPUFF, thanks for the inspiration.

Mike

 

[Avaroma]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

i need help with a 7.5 hp sears ted williams outboard motor the gaskets are dryroted and the carb is in need of repair and no spark i am working on the ignition system right now but i am haveing trouble finding the parts i have found some similar for an older mercury make i have the model # and serial # but having trouble finding engin make if needed i can see if i can post a pic of the motor. it has set for about 20 to 25 years without being run at all it has just set outside in the elements

 

[steelespike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

Welcome, Its bad form to piggy back a thread.Also confuses the issues
and sometimes original thread is lost.
Start your own thread and post your model number. Sears motors were made by at least 3 different builders.

 

[Bike Mike]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

Progress...but a new issue.
I've re-assembled the motor. Still have good spark, and after putting gas in the built-in tank, and priming it... I had gas pouring out EVERYWHERE!
Check everything, valve turned to built-in tank, new clamps on connections. Try it again. Gas everywhere!
Turns out, the little nipple that the gas line connects to at the carburator is leaking like a sive. I move it slightly with needle nose pliers and it almost falls out!
Heavy sigh. I will attempt to place it back in with sealer after a good cleaning. I guess this little nipple is a press fit in the side of the carburator, but it is a rather cheezy arrangement.
Any others experience this? If I can't seal this thing up it may be the end of this motor, as I am not inclined to buy a new carburator for it, especially when I still don't know if it will even run any more.
Any advice on a sealer impervious to gas?

Mike

 

[frank54166]

Re: 4.5 Ted Williams- Magneto but no Spark

Model no: 217-59464
My Dad's old motor, sleeping for years... 4.5 Ted Williams with McCullach (sp) on the flywheel. I pulled the flywheel after my spark tester would not show any spark, expecting to find some points and condenser.
Hmmm...say magneto on something in there, and so I am out of ideas on what to look for.
This thing is really cleaning up nicely, and I intend to use it for trolling, if it will run again.
Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

there is a guy called the eskaman2008 on ebay selling parts for ted williams,gamefisher,eska and sears outboards in a store called sanfordsgoodies,he will chat with you on yahoo messenger about your problems,eskaman2008,he is the best at these old motors