Re: Is this the end of my Johnson 40HP RDS 26? (it looks like it)
RobMurray.... I'm hesitant to criticize anyone my friend as being human, we all make mistakes. However, since you state that someone has spent three (3) hours looking at your engine, charged you $300.00, and has no idea what is wrong with it....... That comes across as someone with no knowledge of the engine charging $100.00 per hour!<br /><br />Faulty ignition on a 1964 40hp Johnson doesn't take a rocket scientist to diagnose. Your engine (for each cylinder) has a Coil, Conderser, Point Set, Spark Plug Wire, and Spark Plug.<br /><br />The vertical metal portions of the coil should be aligned with the top inside bevel of the aluminum plate upon it sits. Look closely at the aluminum plate, you'll see that slight bevel. I assume you've purchased a new coil but that the old coil is okay, so use either.<br /><br />The condenser.... if you've no way of testing it, replace it along with a new set of points.<br /><br />Set the points by having the flywheel key aligned with the fiber rubbing portion of the points. This will be the widest opening... set the points to .020 .<br /><br />There is also a possibility that a sparkplug wire might be frayed, shorting out to the bottom of that aluminum plate. Keep that in mind.<br /><br />If the aluminum plate (proper name is armature plate) is loose, and or has a rocking motion to it, the point setting will change when the throttle/timing is increased. That can be correccted as follows:<br /><br />(Magneto Armature Plate)<br /><br />If the armature plate has a a loose fitting, wobbling motion (the plate that the points, coils etc are attached to), it is usually caused by a slightly worn support ring. This allows the point setting to change erratically as the armature plate turns. <br /><br />The cure is to remove the armature plate so that the support which is attached to the powerhead with 4 screws is visible. Then, with a screwdriver and hammer, or some tool of your choosing, and looking straight down at the support ring, make an indentation at what would be called the 12, 3, 6, and 9 O'clock positions. <br /><br />Install the armature plate and check for a smooth turning wobble free movement. <br /><br />You may need to do that procedure a few times to obtain the proper fit (not too tight, not too loose), but it's worth the effort.<br /><br />The spark plugs can be either Champion J4C or J6C plugs, set at .030 . Frankly, I'd prefer the J6C plugs as they're a slightly hotter plug which would give a better idle.<br /><br />Okay, you've got enough to keep you busy until dinner time (grin). Let us know what you find.
