got flywheel off, now a couple q's

[joho5]

1971 Johnson 9.5

Ok, I have had my first look at the magneto without a flywheel. Got the flywheel puller from napa on a lease. Pulled it off trying to investigate only getting spark to 1 wire. First its a bit greasy wet under there and I think this is due to me tilting the motor upside down to rattle something out of it a while back and having the gas / oil mix trickle out of the carb. Also 1 Coil looks new and the other looks old. I am going to buy 1 coil to install with the other new looking one which is probably the one producing the spark on the good wire.

now to the Q's

1. Can I spray clean all this area with anything? If not, how do you clean all this area?
2. How does the spark plug wires that come up from the bottom stay good and snug into the coils? Does that little pin just keep a good enough connection?
3. What do I need to use to clean the little contact area between the point?

thanks tons guys

Matt

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

the little pin, has ridges on it, i would replace the points rather than clean them, they are cheap. http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfinder/?gd_grid_id=601&gd_partfinder=1&gd_poid=111576&gd_row=10

 

[joho5]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

I dont mind replacing them, but can I clean just this area with anything safely that wont harm any ignition components when reinstalled?

thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

clean while they are out, just take a rag with carb cleaner, gas, kerosene, and wipe it down.

 

[roger-s]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

a product called brake cleens works well and evaporates dry

 

[joho5]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

thanks guys...carb cleaner usually evaporates as well. I am going to just clean the points, because they appear to be in perfect working condition with no wear, but replace the coils. At least to start.

On these motors, has it ever been an issue of the spark plug wire becoming loose on that little needle? I just dont feel that is a good design?!?

How far does that needle have to go in there to contact something?

thanks

Matt

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

Matt,
I agree with Tashasdad.
I have done a lot of work on engines of this vintage and size and have yet to have to replace a coil.
You can replace both sets of points and condensors for less than the cost of one coil. The coils are robust and well made typically.The points are the moving parts, and the heel that rubs on the cam wears which in turn closes down the working gap; that could actually be the root cause of your problem, one set of points has closed down.
The condensors are far more "fragile" than the coils and tough to test....but inexpensive to replace. They also can cause intermittant problems...which you seem to have described.
If you are happy with the condition of the points and want to simply clean and regap, go for it, but I would suggest that you do replace both condensors (since you haver the flywheel off) and the oiler wick which lubricates and reduces heel wear.
Put the flywheel back on and try it out.
If you still have the problem, you can look at coil R&R. The flywheel should still come off easily and you are only investing ~ 1/2 hour or so, but could save the cost of the coils ~ $55-$60.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

You also have to get that flywheel back on at 45 ft.lb. of torque. That is going to take a strap wrench, and a torque wrench.

 

[rjezuit]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

I put the sparkplug wire onto the little needle and put a little silicone RTV on the outside of the wire insulction where it goes into the coil socket, just in case. It seems to work fine, and is removeable if need be. Rick

 

[freddyray21]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

not sure about the coils on that vintage. I usuallly deal with older and they always need new coils, but I think those will probably be okay. I seldom replace points though if they are good. Usually a good dressing with a file and they are fine. They need to be clean though. I do replace a lot of condensers though as they do go bad. Won't cost a think to clean the points first and regap to see if you have good spark.

 

[joho5]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

neither one look bad..the thing that jumped out is that there were 2 different coils in there. A newer one and an older one. The older looking one looks pretty ragged out. Thats why I thought for sure that it was probably the coil failing on that 1 wire. Regardless I am going to just pull all the components off and clean really well, and then replace the coils mainly because I already ordered them. Then I will replace other stuff as necessary.

thanks guys and any and all opinions / comments are still welcome

Matt

 

[freddyray21]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

if someone put an old style coil on it at sometime then it can be bad. Most of the motors I find where the coils look good it's usually dirty points or a bad condenser that keeps them from firing.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: got flywheel off, now a couple q's

Just so I knew the actual cause I would troubleshoot in sequence, and one item at a time.
I've always found point setting or related issue to be #1, condensors #2, and then coil.
I'd clean the points and see what I had then.
If still no go, then I'd replace the condensors.
Final shot would be to R&R the coils.
Tackling one item at a time and then testing lets you know exactly when you have the problem solved.