'66 Evinrude 33 Ski Twin NO SPARK

[joshua27]

I've got a 66 Evinrude 33 HP Ski Twin which isn't getting any spark. I've cleaned the points with the striker strip off a couple matchbooks, some contact cleaner, and a nice clean business card. The points look a lot better than they did when I first started so my question is there any way I can test for spark without putting the fly wheel back on?

The reason I ask is because I had to pay a local boat shop $100 bucks to get the fly wheel off for me to begin with. I broke a grade 8 bolt off in one of the puller holes trying to get it off myself so I said screw it and took it down there. Now I'm hesitant to put it all back together and still have no spark.

Also is there anything else I should do while I'm in there? I attached a photo of the ignition components for reference. Also is there any way to convert one of these old motors over to an electronic ignition?

 

[racerone]

Pulling the flywheel usually takes less that 10 minutes.-------Just set the flywheel on and pull it over with a rope to test for spark.---No need to install the nut.

 

[joshua27]

Pulling the flywheel usually takes less that 10 minutes.-------Just set the flywheel on and pull it over with a rope to test for spark.---No need to install the nut.

This flywheel was pretty stubborn. Even the boat shop mechanic said he had a rough time getting it off and he seems like a pretty straight up guy. He even gave me a copy of my motors shop manual to take home until I finished up my repairs. I think the reason I broke a bolt off in the flywheel was because I had the hair brained idea to use a 1/2" impact to tighten down the harmonic balancer puller. Oh well, lesson learned.

On a brighter note I put the flywheel back on and spun it over by hand after removing the spark plugs and I now have spark! I've got to get a new set of plugs because the ones in it won't spark but the new plug I was using to test with does have a nice strong spark.

 

[silver_bay]

Before you crank down that nut, make sure the spark will jump a quarter inch gap in open air (it's much easier to make a spark in air that hasn't been compressed). You want to see a blue spark and to hear it snap.

 

[F_R]

I don't have to say this since you have the shop manual. But pay attention to what it says concerning flywheel installation. Extremely important that you do it right and correct torque (100-105 ft/lbs)

 

[joshua27]

Before you crank down that nut, make sure the spark will jump a quarter inch gap in open air (it's much easier to make a spark in air that hasn't been compressed). You want to see a blue spark and to hear it snap.

How do I check to see if the spark with jump a gap? I'm assuming hold the spark plug 1/4" away from an unpainted bolt?

 

[silver_bay]

A tester like this makes it easy
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-25069?seid=srese1&gclid=CO75jt-P3cQCFSxp7AodDDUAOg

But I've heard of bending the electrodes of an old plug clamping the plug to the block.

 

[boobie]

You can also stick a Phillips screw driver in the plug cap and hold it 1/4" away from the block while cranking it over.