Can I check timing w/plugs grounded,140 Johnson

[mrtool2u]

My buddy has a 1989 Johnson 140 that we want to check timing on,,,I have read Joe Reeves procedure,and he talks about a spark tester,,do we need to use these or can we just leave the plugs in the caps laying on the heads.

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: Can I check timing w/plugs grounded,140 Johnson

I wouldn't just leave them arcing around .

The reason for the spark tester/ ground, is to avoid accidental , damage to the electronics.

You can easily make a tester , that will have all the plug wires connected to it at once.

Do a search for spark tester, can be built in an hour or so.

Once you get the components together, then you'll allways have it.

KYHunter

 

[funpilot]

Re: Can I check timing w/plugs grounded,140 Johnson

My spark tester:

I took a 1x4 plank, about 9 inches long, ripped it to 1x3 or so and drilled four 1 inch holes in it. I ground the heads downs of four long deck screws to fit the boots and connectors on my spark plug wires. I screwed four hornets into the plank from one side with ground wires, and I screwed the long deck screws into the other side, and adjusted the gap to 7/16" in each. The only thing I wish I would have done was put an allegator clip on the ground end.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can I check timing w/plugs grounded,140 Johnson

If you are checking timing (as you indicated) leave them on the plugs. The engine must be running. If you are checking to see if you have good spark, thats a totally separte issue which Funpilot is explaining.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Can I check timing w/plugs grounded,140 Johnson

just wanted to thank funpilot for the spark tester tutorial...what's a "hornet"? do the boots "snap" on to those ground down screws?

thanks!

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: Can I check timing w/plugs grounded,140 Johnson

The method of checking timing he was referring to .

Is without the motor running, plugs removed , and grounded.

It gets real close to the correct timing, if not right on.

It needs to be varified at WOT, either on trailer or going down the lake.

The tester I made is similar.

I used six old plugs , with a piece of steel wire attached to the electrode .

I mounted them to a 1/4 board , with a bolt in the center.

Cut the wires 7/16 from the center bolt (ground).

Stand it up between the heads , and attach the plug wires , to the old plugs works well.

Either will do the job.

KYHunter

 

[funpilot]

Re: Can I check timing w/plugs grounded,140 Johnson

You're welcome. It worked for me, and allows me to see the sparks jump when I turn the engine over, so it looks kind of cool and verifies the proper function while I'm doing Joe Reeve's link and synch.

A hornet is a 1" drywall screw. Coarse threads and short. They were convenient. Yes, the spark plug boots snap into position, I stopped grinding the heads of the deck screws when I had them the right size. You do need to leave the deck screws long enough to fit the boots on, which could require ripping that side of the board.

fp