69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

[richpor]

hello to all, I am new to this site, so excuse any faux-pas... I have an older 3 carb 55HP Johnson electric drive that had a dead "ignition amplifier pack". My marina suggested that I could remove the pack and replace it with a standard ignition coil and condensor, so off to the local scrapper I went and picked up a coil out of an '88 nissan pulsar (god bless the Japanese). Installed it, guessed at the point gap and installed a set of plugs supplied by my marina and WOW, it ran and ran strong. Problem is now that it stalls and misses when warm and through various ranges of the throttle. I have the coil strapped to the side of the motor. Is it possible that the vibrations and heat are killing the coil? <br />Anyone else done this and had sucessfull results?<br /><br />Thanx in advance, <br /><br />Richard.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

What did you set the timing at?

 

[richpor]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

I've seen some posts about timing this motor, but I still can't quite figure out how to do it. I've got a timing light, dewll meter, etc. Can you offer some advice on how to set the timing?<br /><br />Thanx,

 

[rdh2059]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

I didn't come up with this set of instructions, but asked about it and was posted these instructions. I have reformatted it a little, but that is all...<br /><br />Converting an Outboard Ignition,<br /> From a CD Amplifier to a Coil Type Ignition<br /><br />To change from a cd (capacitance discharge) amplifier to a coil on this motor is a simple matter. <br /><br />1. Remove cd amplifier and coil. <br />2. Use a 12 volt low resistor coil that is pre 70s one that is used with points.<br />3. The hot wire going to the amplifier connects to the positive side of the coil.<br />4. Next the wire coming from the points connects to the negative side of the coil along with a condenser. <br />5. A resistor should be mounted to the block and a wire run from the negative side of coil to the resistor. Should you not know what a resistor is you can most likely find one at your local junk yard it is the ceramic looking block most likely mounted to the fire wall on most cars with points. <br />6. Finally you will need to make you a coil wire to run from your distributor to the coil. I used the coil wire off the coil I took off the motor and cut it close to the coil because one end needs to have the screw that screws into the distributor and the other end you will need to make up to fit the coil. <br /><br />Once this is done you are ready to check your spark and head to the water.<br /><br />Enjoy, <br />Rick

 

[richpor]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

thanks, that's what I did. I guess I still need to go over the whole thing and check for questionable connections. Do you know how I set the timing on this motor, there's no index mark on the flywheel like my Merc....<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

On your flywheel, there are two casting mark's. One is straight, the other triangular. You use the straight mark. On the flywheel ring gear guard, there is a square casting mark. This guard is just above the carbs. The straight mark on the flywheel must fall within the square mark on the guard ring. Adjust with the timing set screw. This is the screw that stop's ign. stator movement.

 

[richpor]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

Great, thanks for the reply. I assume that this is done dynamically instead of staticly. Thanks,

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

Yes! it is done with the engine running.

 

[REELSPORT]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

The book says that points should be set at .010 and that is the first thing you should do to set the timing. Next you need to do a link & sink and in the process running the motor on muffs turn the idle screw until timing marks is alined and at this point the throdle cam follower should be at the center of the mark on the cam when this is done reajust the idle to about 700 rpms while in gear and in the water. Then the book says to install a test wheel and using a test tank warm up engine and go to 4500 rpms and check timing. This is the point you will need to adjust the stop for the timing advance if your timing is not correct. I replaced the cd amplifier on my 1969 55hp rude with a coil and condenser and I could not be happier with it. hope this helps

 

[REELSPORT]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

Your problem with the coil you are using may be the coil itself you said it came off a 1988 nisson. This coil is made for electronic ignition and may be burning your points.

 

[richpor]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

Thanks for the reply, did you use a coil with an external resistor, I'm thinking of heading back to the junkyard and picking up a coil out of an old Tercel, they had external resistors on them.<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[REELSPORT]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

yes the coil needs and external resistor and remember that the coil needs to be one used with points if I remember right the tercel had electronic ignition, I think the first year it was made was 1980

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

A straight 12 volt, battery ign. coil, and ballast resistor, or coil with built in resistor should not be hard to find. Most any coil from a mid 60's auto should work.

 

[richpor]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

Thanks for the replies, the 80' Tercel had points ( I had a few of them, they went electronic in 83 ). I think part of my problem is that I forgot the resistor.<br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />Rich

 

[Buckstr]

Re: 69? 55HP ignition conversion issues..

Hi, <br /><br />I have been following this thread and a few others because I just converted my 68 55hp johnson to this iginition system. I used a cheap coil for a 69 mustang I bought from checker autoparts. I read in another thread that if I used one for a 69 mustang, would not need the resistor. Funny thing is that written on the side of the coil is a statement that an external resistor is required. Now I am wondering if it truely does not nead the resistor ( sale person said no resistor is needed) and if I run it without the resistor, whats likely to happen? If only an issue for the coil, I am not likely to worry about it as $16 for the coil and condeser is cheap. If i am going to burn out my points, then I need to have it right. What if I put in the resistor and the coil also has a resistor built in? Please let me know if anyone has any thoughts about this.<br /><br />Thanks