Classic Fifty ignition problem

[Alex from GA]

Like the title says I have an ignition problem. The last time I was troubleshooting a problem I saw a chart in CDI ignitions website with resistances and voltages for all Mercury engines. I had a '74 850. What I'm asking is where to find a chart with resistances and voltages for an '88 Classic Fifty. The top cylinder doesn't reduce RPMs when I pull the plug wire off, all the others do. Thanks

 

[racerone]

So does the top wire have spark that will jump a gap of 3/8" , yes or no ?-----What happens when you switch # 1 and # 2 coils as a spark test ?

 

[Alex from GA]

Can I just change the coil wires or do I also have to change the power pack wires also. I would think the timing would be wrong if I only changed the coils. BTW I tried that yesterday and it only ran on 2, worse than before.

 

[racerone]

No need for motor to run when testing !!------You can just change wires from switchbox to the coils.----Just for testing to see if the ignition is capable of jumping a gap of 3/8"-------And testing is what is done to see what is wrong here.---Also do a compression test

 

[merc850]

I've seen a few posts about "Classic 50's" and I'd like to see a picture of one if someone would post one.

 

[racerone]

Called a " classic " since the design originated in the early 1950's-----A label attached in the hope that folks would keep buying it.------Good smooth runners .----Perhaps expensive to produce in the age of robot manufacturing.

 

[Alex from GA]

Went fishing today and the engine ran on all cylinders when it started. A compression check was 130-135 for all cylinders. Does anyone know where the idle and timing adjustments are. If it sat for over 1/2 hour it seemed to drain all the gas out of the carburetors and the bulb had to be pumped to start and it cranked for a long time. The carburetors were cleaned and the gaskets changed this week and the needles don't leak. 850 look on youtube for the Classic Fifty, there are many shown.

 

[flyingscott]

After a 1/2 hr of.sitting it is normal to have to use the cold.start procedure, this includes using the choke/primer. The ball does not stay hard all the time. Once the motor is running it willl goe soft.