NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

[Rod Burton]

This engine ran good 3 years ago, and before last winterizing, had new points, condensor, spark plugs, wires, and new coil put on. This year I cannot get spark. There are 2 wires that I would like to verify WHERE to put them. The first is a black wire that mounts and drops form the side of the magneto, I guessing goes to ground???? I dont know. The other wire is of the safety swith that functions with the Forward/ Rverse/ Neutral shift. Have no idea on this wire.??
????Where do those wires go on a manual start???? Why would I not get spark????

 

[Chris1956]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

Thee should be a wire from the points (under the distributor pulley) to the side of the distributor body. This connects the points to the coil, and is essential if you want spark. Another thin black wire connects there and to the ign switch to kill the spark, when it is grounded.

BTW - condensers can go bad overnight, or last 100 years. when was yours installed?

 

[Rod Burton]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

3 years ago, But the condensor was new. Its Never been used.

 

[Rod Burton]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

Thanks Ill see if the new condensor works an d let you know.

 

[Daviet]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

Disconnect the black wire that goes to the ign switch and see if you get spark, if so you have a ground problem in that wire or the ign switch.

 

[Rod Burton]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

Replaced condensor and disconnected the black wire off the magneto and the kill switch wire and still NO SPARK. Then I tried to reconnecting the black wire off the magneto to the powerhead (ground). Nothing. What should I try next.

 

[Rod Burton]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

Replaced condensor and disconnected the black wire off the magneto and the kill switch wire and still NO SPARK. Then I tried to reconnecting the black wire off the magneto to the powerhead (ground). Nothing. What should I try next.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

OK, Remove the distributor cap and inspect the coil for cracks. Make sure the one side of the coil is grounded, with a clean connection. Make sure the other side of the coil connects thru the dist body, w/o being grounded.

Leave the cap off for now. Now pull the pulley off and look at the point wire connecting the two sets of points. Make sure it has no missing insulation. It needs to route properly so it doesn't rub against the point cam. Install the pulley. Set both sets of points to .020 The first points setting is when the timing marks align. Now rotate the pully 1/4 turn CW and set the second set of points to .020. The window should expose the points when you are trying to set them.

Now connect the point wire to the brass bolt on the distributor body that connects to the coil. Spin the dist pulley and you should feel spark at the brass button on the coil.

 

[Rod Burton]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

Okay, got zapped. What does that tell you? That the points are working..?? That the coil is working.?? What does it mean?

Also would this be a hard boat to do a car ignition on. Whats involved with that? Is is worth it at this point to look at?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: NO SPARK! 1960 75 HP SeaHorse V4 Manual Start

OK, zapped is good. Just for fun, unscrew a spark plug wire from the dist. cap and put a plug in it. Now hold the plug to the block and the wire end to the coil button and spin the distributor pulley. if you get a nice blue spark, your coil, points and condenser are working just fine. Install the distributor cap and time her up.....

Now if you have no spark to the plugs, you know it is the dist cap or rotor....