Merc 500 - No Spark

[Felidunsr]

I have a 1961 mercury 500 and I'm having the same no spark issue. I've tried gapping/cleaning the points, cleaned all contacts. When I spin the shaft and touch the coil I get shocked. Not sure where to go from here.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard, Felidunsr

Now you have a new thread. Take a look at the Help Tip on top of the page.

Getting shocked when spinning the magneto - That's good because it shows part of it is working.

What condition is the carbon button in the cap? Is it springing out if you push gently on it? Are you using a spark tester to check for spark?

One more thing - Take off the wire, white I think, on the stud on the outside of the magneto and check for spark again. That's the kill wire and it is switched to ground to kill sparks for shutdown. Old Mercs often have wiring that falls apart from age and you could have a short to ground on the kill wire.

One more thing - Is this a pull start or electric start?

 

[racerone]

Are the points set at 0.008 / 0.010 " on it ?

 

[Felidunsr]

The carbon button does move smoothly and free. I have disconnected the white wire that connects to the magneto for kill purposes. I have gapped the points to between .008 and .010 and cleaned them with emery clothe. I am not using a spark tester just grounding the plug to the cylinder head but I do have a spark tester. The cap and button test out as far as resistance. It seems like there is an awful large gap between the button and the points of the cap if I center it. Idk if this is normal. This is electric start and pull start with electric choke if that matters.

Thanks for the help