NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

[wiboatergile]

1963 18hp johnson fd 17b..............
Well went from no gas to plugs to now not having any spark.. All new electricals under fly wheel.. Regapped plugs, checked plug wire and coil connection and reseated coils..checked all connections.. adjusting points off highest part of cam which a lil pointer on cam by the word top.. noticed alot of ppl saying off the keyway but mine has higher spot elsewhere.. Everything is new and thought it would be a simple lil project to liven this engine up since nothing was done to it since 1963... Might need to just take it to a shop...

 

[F_R]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Was the shaft and flywheel tapers clean and dry and did you torque the nut to 40-45 ft/lbs? If not, it might have sheared the flywheel key the first time it kicked over.

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Key and shaft are fine.. just having problem with the points.. getting the gap set correct. someone on here said timing not a issue just pull replace and put back together.. set points to just drag at .020 had spark yesterday but with carb issue.. now got carb straight and no spark..... Torqued to 40lbs
thanks import

 

[Xcusme]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

The easiest way to adjust the point set....align the crank shaft key with the rub block (part that contacts the cam) of the points, then adjust to .020. Rotate crank 180 degrees and do the same thing to the other point set. The point cam has TOP stamped into it so that you don't try installing it upside down. If it's installed upside down, the cam taper won't match the crank shaft taper and the flywheel will sit too high. Torquing the flywheel nut could split the cam....and that's not good.

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Reset points per your directions and retoruqed the flywheel and still no spark. Totally new parts under the flywheel. Could timing be off that much. No extra play in plate or crankshaft. Reset everything today to make sure of wires connected to coils and coils mounted on bosses correctly.. Very frustrated now.........

 

[Xcusme]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Well, the timing is controlled by the crank shaft woodruff key indexed to the flywheel. If the key is not sheared (or partially sheared), the timing is not the issue . I don't have a wiring print for your motor but, do you have 2 wires, one from each point set going through the armature plate to a kill button? This is usually a normally open push button. If that button is defective and internally shorted, you'll have no spark. If either wire is shorted to ground, you'll loose spark to that cylinder as well. Try disconnecting and taping both wires from the point sets as a test. If you get spark, you've found the gremlin. If the motor starts, you'll have to choke the motor to stop it.

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

I took the kill switch off this morning at about 9 a.m. Just have condensers and coils to points now. Will have to reseat coils again I guess and just start over on the set up..Thanks for the replies

 

[Xcusme]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Double check the items we discussed and post your findings back to this thread. No use opening another thread, we can more closely follow your progress if all posts are in the same place.

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

redid it again this morning and also found that I pinched the coil wire to the points on #1 cylinder ( note to self DONT RUSH) So I may need a new coil..
Will see if she has fire now and Hopefully have her running soon..
Thanks for the input and sharing some how to's...
Mark

 

[iwombat]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Just cover up the pinch with some heat-shrink. It'll be fine.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Mark, You've got mail.......

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Ok it was a first time tune up and carb rebuild... Tashasdaddy and Xcusme helped bunches as iwombat and others.. Had no spark as I had wired the coils to the wrong point set, Xcusme noticed this from photo I sent him last night.. He also noticed the missing clip on the point set for #1 that I didnt see was missing..
:redface:My mistakes during this:
1. Put the float in upside down=no fuel
2. set coils to far back and they hit shaft boss of keyway on crank
3. Connected wrong coil to points= no fire
4. pinched lead to points from coil by not assuring wire was clear when I tightened the mounting screws.

Gonna turn her over with pull rope when grandkid wakes up, 44 and yes a grandpa who babysits..
Thanks a bunch guys for all the help
Should be a newbie sticky for what not to do or even maybe suggest doing one coil-point circuit at a time.
Thanks again
mark

 

[iwombat]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

*crosses fingers*

 

[samo_ott]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

I didn't realize there was so much to go wrong!

Glad you worked it out.

I just put my 18hp on an aluminum 14'er yesterday for the first time and boy, was she quick! Normally it ploughs along on my 16' pontoon boat!

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Wasnt paying attention to details and got in a rush.. This thing should run like a raped ape now.. was on only one cylinder before!!!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Let us know!

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

ITS ALIVE!!!!!
Choked her once and 2nd pull she came to life!!!!!
This forum is the best.. Again thanks to everyone who helped me solve the issues on this PIG( wifes name for it) Gonna try and get her on the boat later tonight once grandson is with his parents.. 11 months old and into everything.. So yes iwombat you can uncross your fingers now.. Xcusme great diagnosis from pics lol.. Tashasdaddy for telling me to just do the whole tune up and carb kit.. Should run another 43 years with proper service..
thanks
Mark

 

[Xcusme]

Re: NOW no spark- but have gas to plugs..

Outstanding! .....I knew eventually you'd get her sorted out. Get on the water, and make those fine adjustments to the carb. Pay attention to the cooling, you don't want to burn up your new baby.
It should be a treat to be hitting on both cylinders, remember to buckle your seat belt and observe the speed limits ha! Good luck

 

[wiboatergile]

Re: NOW no spark- ITS ALIVE

Re: NOW no spark- ITS ALIVE

Just in from the initial adjustment run and got the high speed close, But alas its just to damn fast Guess have to adjust the trim on it.. move it out one hole anyway as its against the transom now.. It idles great but started getting dark so came in and will fine tune it tomorrow for permanent settings..This SOB hauls now on 2 cylinders. Almost lost my hat.. T-stat is next.. LOL forgot I seafoamed it and man did that #2 put out some smoke..
But no oil slick on the water when I dock by the house.. EPA will be happy..
Again thanks to this forum and its knowledgeable members..
Xcusme you were did on..
Mark

P.S. About that 7.5 Ted Williams air-cooled on my work bench!!! Heard the groan already guys!!!!!!!