Inline 6 help with ignition

[Joe_McSalmon]

I have a 1976 115 mercury with a problem with the switch box and trigger. To repair this, the dealer quoted $1000 + with the ignition system. <br /> My question is: I have the opportunity to get a 1985 whole ignition system (which is an inline 6). Will I be able to swap with the inline 1976 mercury? <br /><br />Can someone please reply soon.<br /><br />Thank-you,<br /><br />Joe

 

[Laddies]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

No they won't work one is batt powered and the other is ADI, but at a $1000 the deakler is just throwing parts at it you need to either find a differant shop or test the system yourself. We can walk you thru a test if you want

 

[Joe_McSalmon]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Thanks, laddies...<br /><br />In the summer I replaced a corroded wire that looked bad. I also did 'clamp' ignition test for the switch box and trigger and there was no spark. From e-bay, I bought a switch box and 'cellar' guarateed that it was in good condition. When I replaced it, I still did not get a spark. Any suggestions?<br /><br />P.S. In the summer I did a compression test. <br />#1 ( 120 ),#2 ( 125), #3 ( 122), #4 ( 123), #5 (125), # 6 ( 125). Later in the fall, when I checked #1 piston, it was 95 lbs. Why the sudden drop? When I put a teaspoon of oil, it jumped to 135 lbs. Now it is staying at 135. Is this correct? Thanks.....

 

[Joe_McSalmon]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

I have a question about a propeller that I purchesed that came from a '88 Merc. It will not fit the '76 Merc that I have. The '76 will fit the '88 (both inline 6). Does anyone know why this is???<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Joe

 

[Laddies]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Joe, I don't know what a clamp test is for sure, but you need to have 12v at the red post on the switch box all the time 12v at the white post with the ign on to power the system, if not install a jumper between them and ck for spark again. I am assuming that you have already disconnected the mercury switch if this don't help I will run you thru the rest of the test. Its a very simple system to test and repair.

 

[timmathis]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Listen to laddie, He can save you a lot of time and money. After the simple switchbox test it will tell you if it is the trigger or box. I had the same no spark problem last year on my 1975 inline 6. It was my trigger thanks to iboats we fixed it with no trouble at all. Just listen to laddie or clames they are inline pro's. There is a trigger on ebay right now for$200.00 if you cant find one.<br />Good luck, Tim

 

[ladano]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

I've got a '84 115. When I traded for it the guy had the stator, trigger replaced, rebuilt carbs, and a tune up. It still would cut out to about half after running about 20min's. I would like to test the switch boxes for the problem. If someone can run me through it I'd appreciate it. Joe, if you can't use that system how about sending it my way. Thanx Dan

 

[Joe_McSalmon]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Ladano Ign system at E-Bay $99<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERC...26455QQitemZ4601144943QQrdZ1#ebayphotohosting

 

[ladano]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Thanx, I'm actually watching that one. Its only a hour from my home town, with relatives driving through quite a bit. Save some $'s on shipping.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

joe, not only will that ign system NOT work with your motor, it wont even attach to the older distributor style blocks. the ADI ign system system had different means of attacheing to the block and attached at different points.<br /><br />you need to do this in logical tests and steps, we can walk you trhough it and it will , as always, be free <br /><br />do you have 12v at the red terminal constantly?<br />do you have 12v at the white terminal when the key is turned ON ?<br /><br />have you tried bypassing the trigger as a test?<br /><br />simply buying new parts from ebay isnt gonna help you unless we know WHY you are buying what you are buying.<br /><br />go on ebay, and search for user named clams canino, read his stuff, and email him. this is what he does for a LIVING, he fixes inlines, and yes, he is noce and will help you via email if you ask nicely. there is NONE better, sorry laddies <br /><br /> http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=clams_canino&iid=

 

[Laddies]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Joe, do you need the trigger test

 

[timmathis]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Joe the trigger test will tell you right quick if that is the problem! Just ask laddie and he will show you how. (simple test) Hope you get it fixed soon, Tim

 

[dsrchamp04]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

myoutboards, are you here offering help or do you just wanna prove how smart you are?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

myoutboards, are you here offering help or do you just wanna prove how smart you are?

im just trying to help this fella out.ive been in his EXACT same situation, so any help he can get and any help i can give is all the much better.... but i appreciate the compliment <br /><br />also, a easy and good one to check is to remove your coil, clean the block behind it, clean the back of the coil , and make sure its getting a GOOD ground. sometime sthe block behind the coil will corrode to the point that it wont provide a good ground path for the coil. just a thought<br /><br />also, have you disconnected your" mercury switch"? its the blue thing on the distributor side of the switch box that is about an inch long and mounted at a 45 degree angle or so. take it off and toss it !

 

[Joe_McSalmon]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Thanks to everyone that responded...<br />Laddies, when I mentioned 'clamp test', I ment<br />'clams canino' test, I guess he wouldn't appreciate it if I left him out...<br />I re-tested the ign system and found out that the distributor cap was damaged inside. The spring loaded shaft was out. I pulled the wire from the distributor, coming from the coil, and I grounded it. Did a trigger test and I got spark, only when I jumped the brown and the white wire. I guess the trigger needs to be replaced. <br />A friend of mine has a old merc with a whole in the block and he will let me have the distributor.<br /><br />Thanx again, <br />Joe

 

[gatorred]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

that one on ebay looks close to what was on a 1976 85 same type of stuff coil packs and stator system my the coil got warm and started to drop power to two plug's i had a 1972 80 with dist by <br />kiekhaefer, it had power pack and coil and magnet pickup close to that of a ford or dodge car in 1974 what i used to work on, i left the 85 if they fixed the 80 they even did the lower unit on 80 to he wanted it to be right and me not to come back

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

The spring loaded shaft is a $5 "carbon brush" over the counter part.<br /><br />Replace that... then test spark again before DOAing the distributor.<br /><br />Distributors are on Ebay all the time... except when you need one THIS week. <br /><br />-W

 

[dsrchamp04]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

clams better than laddies? you think so myoutboards....nice try...your wrong...dead wrong. you wont find anything on the internet that laddies wrote up patting himself on the back,he doesnt need to do that. I mean no disrespect toward clams cause I know he is good with the I6 stuff,but the fact is that laddies has been wrenching since clams was born. I doubt you will ever see the day that clams and laddies dispute who is the better because they are both classy guys with alot of knowledge....and they are gracious enough to share it and help others...which is lucky for all of us who dont know the powerhead from the lower unit.....

 

[pinkfloyd]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Dsrchamp, Your post are uncalled for useless and childish. Sorry Joe

 

[timmathis]

Re: Inline 6 help with ignition

Joe make sure when you replace the trigger the bolts are tight the dummy that replaced mine one time did not tighten them and it came loose jumped time and I had to go back and do it right.<br />Hope to hear from you soon with it screaming!!, Tim