Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

[Gas Giant]

I've got a '61 Evinrude Lark III, and as the title says, it doesn't have spark. It hasn't since I got it a few weeks ago.

After reading some threads on this forum, I pulled the flywheel and replaced the points and coils. I set the point gap to 0.020". But I still don't have any spark.

For reference, my method of testing is using an automotive spark tester, one of the adjustable ones. I plug it into the spark plug wire and ground it to somewhere on the block, usually where the negative battery cable bolts to. When I test it, I am using the pull start as the starter doesn't like turning the engine over very well. It does, but its very slow. (The engine turns just fine with the pull start)

I also have the main harness unplugged at the Electric Start box when doing the tests.

I have performed the test with the battery connected, and with the battery disconnected, and gotten no change - still no spark.

The only thing left is spark plug wires - I forgot to get them and NAPA is closed for the weekend by now - so other than the possibility that the spark plug wires are bad, what else could it be? Or is my test method flawed in some way?

Condensed version:
No spark using spark tester grounded to negative battery cable attachment point on engine
New points and coils; point gap set to 0.020"
Did not replace spark plug wires
Testing using pull start method with the main harness unplugged
Tested with battery connected and disconnected

(In case it comes up, I ran new battery cables from the starter to the starter solenoid. A few days ago the starter turned the engine over really strong after a few slow pulses, but today it just gave me slow pulses. This is why I am using the pull start method to test - I only want to deal with one problem at a time!)

 

[nwcove]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

gunna respond to bring your post back to the top, but after all the work you've done, unless it is wires(easy check with a multi meter, but should have been replaced anyway) you should get spark just by turning the flywheel by hand with the plugs out. maybe a wiring issue?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

did you change the condensers? Most often they are bad on motors that have sat. O'reilly auto parts has then it's Sierra part number 18-5199.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

Did you get the coils adjusted properly?

 

[lindy46]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

Did you unplug the harness from the motor or have the key switch turned on? Not sure what you mean by unplugging harness from electric start box.

 

[Gas Giant]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

Lindy - yes, I had the harness unplugged. I will, however, test it again the key in the Run position, because I am honestly not sure where it was when I was testing it.

Daviet - no, I just bolted them in - I will check through my PDF manual about adjusting the coils.

FreddyRay, yes, I forgot to mention that I bought an Evinrude tune-up kit that included both points and both condensers.

nwcove - I agree. I did check one spark plug wire with a multimeter, and it had continuity. I didn't think to check until I had the other coil already installed. Wiring could be bad; it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

The first thing I'd recheck is the plug wires where they connect to the coils.
Best is to replace the wires....second best is to trim 1/2"-3/4" off the end of the old wires, and those wires thread onto the terminal post inside the coil housing recess.

 

[Gas Giant]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

I'm going to go ahead and replace the spark plug wires - I've gotten pretty good at yanking the flywheel anyway.

I also decided to replace most, if not all, of the engine wiring itself. Mainly because I've noticed a lot of cracks in the insulation of most of the wiring.

So, hopefully that does it. I'll post the results when I finish the work, hopefully it sparks then!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

Yep, I was going to say spark plug leads. It's always a good idea to replace them when you do the coils. If you feel that your originals are okay to put back in service, then it is best to trim off 3/8" of an inch, on the coil side and 1/4" off the spark plug end. The old connections get dirty and/or corroded and ofeten fail. I believe this is the case here.

 

[Gas Giant]

Re: Evinrude Lark 3 - replaced points and coils - still no spark

Got new spark plug wires in. While I had the flywheel off, I decided to replace all the wiring - ALL of it. So, the engine has been re-wired with tin-coated copper marine wiring, as well as the boat itself. And after looking at the wire I pulled out, its a good thing I decided to do this - it was pretty nasty.

I haven't tested it yet as I didn't quite finish before I had to stop for the day, but I will post the results when I get it done completely. If this doesn't fix it, its gotta be that vacuum switch, and if that isn't it, I suppose the only explanation would be supernatural.....lol.