Points problem

[thull]

I'm trying to figure out the lack of spark on bottom cylinder on 1959 10hp Johnson. I have spark on uppper. I've put new points and condensers on both cylinders, new plugs, and the PO installed new coils and wires. The points for bottom cylinder are not lining up perfectly parallel (See photos). Is it typical to have uneven alignment on new points? Would this prevent spark even if the gap was set at 0.020 on the edges that are closest to each other? Actually, the old points and arms on this cylinder were uneven too. I've checked and there's nothing underneath the arms causing the misalignment. I could bend the breaker arm to line it up better but I don't know if that'll ruin it.

Also, I've been setting the points with the shift lever in forward. That seems to allow for the most movement in the breaker arms. With the shift lever in neutral, it prevented the magneto from fully turning. Was this the right thing to do?

Finally, the breaker points adjustment screw doesn't seem to affect enough movement in the points while adjusting, even with the other screw that holds the arm to the plate loosened up a bit. Is there a ideal number of turns out from fully seated that the adjustment screw should be set to achieve best points adjustment?

Thanks,

 

[F_R]

Re: Points problem

Even new points fail to make contact sometimes due to some kind of contamination on the surfaces. Could be invisible corrosion, oil, even a fingerprint. I suggest you lightly clean them with a strip of 400 grit wet-or-dry type sandpaper, then draw a piece of lint-free paper through them to remove any grit. Make sure the paper doesn't leave any fibers behind.

The mis-alignment won't cause any problems except possibly shortening the life of the contacts a bit. But that's way down the road---er, waterway. I wouldn't bend anything. Set them at .020" as you did.

As for the throttle/shift position, makes no difference. You may be confusing it with armature plate wobble. Just get them as accurately as you can.

Adjustment eccentric: It should be screwed all the way in, then backed out enough to allow rotating to adjust the points. Don't back it out too far, you do not want it falling out and destroying everything. As for not enough range, that is due to the lousy quality of the points these days----same reason they won't align.

If all this fails to achieve a spark, time to get out the ohm meter and check resistances.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Points problem

I have seen them like that before from aftermarket points. The OEM ones seem to be better.

The originals from the 50s seem the best. I try to resuse them as long as I can on my motors now.

Remove them, put them in a vice, wrap a piece of 00 or the like paper around a hacksaw blade, and file the points down. Clean with acetone and you're done. I wonder who taught me the trick about the hacksaw blade?? Some smart old feller.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Points problem

Yeah, I just went through this with a set of Sierra points. I did as HighTrim suggested, filed them down and bent them slightly to make them align better.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Points problem

I feel that with the throttle fully retarded you should set the points at the highest point on the cam by rotating the flywheel .
Do to wear if your adjust the points with the throttle advanced you won't
be at the exact same position for each set of points so the wear could cause the point clearance y to be different.
At least at full retard you will know that each point is set the same. You should also check the stator for wobble.
You could check the point setting at various positions of throttle advancement.To get an idea of how stable the stator is.
You may have to remove the flywheel to tell if the points are closing all the way.

 

[gintstone]

Re: Points problem

Might not be the points givin u problems. i know on my 1967 33hp rude it has a cutout switch that cuts the lower cylinder out to stumble the motor if it suddenly goes into a random runaway moment, detected by unusually high crankcase vacuum. maybe ur motor has a cutout switch.

 

[AlTn]

Re: Points problem

if the points cleaning and reset don't yield a spark....try removing the coils, or at least getting them above the armature plate, and check the black grounding wire for any possible hole or worn piece in the insulation...recent experience with a set of sierra points, the screw that attaches the condenser,coil, and ground wires to the stationary side of the points wouldn't thread into the hole...no threads in the hole...grrrr...bought BRP set and good to go

 

[thull]

Re: Points problem

I think I figured it out. Noobie mistake. I was gapping one side with the throttle fully retarded and the other side with the throttle fully advanced, thinking that was the way to move the rubbing blocks from lowest to highest position on the cam. I realized from somebody else's post on this issue that my motor had the word "Top" etched into the cam, and that I was supposed to put it in gear and turn the prop to advance the crankshaft and "Top" mark on the cam to the rubbing blocks position's and gap the points there. I did one side, then rotated the prop and cam again so "Top" was lined up with the other rubbing block and set the other points gap. Then I cleaned the points with paper. I had been trying to gap the points at only 3/4 of their fully opened position. No wonder the eccentric screw wasn't helping much. Now it works fine and I have SPARK!!! First outboard I have ever worked on. It's been fun figuring this out as I go along. Now on to the carb rebuild, lower unit drain and lube, and replacement of fuel lines, thermostat, and impeller. Thanks guys!!!

 

[cajuncook1]

Re: Points problem

Hey buddy, click on the link below. It will help you set your points and give you a little bit more information for trouble shooting your ignition. It is found in the Secret Files section. Just scroll down a bit in the post associated with the link below.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=531940