TOPIC: Lack of fire

Trying to get a 1961 Johnson V4s13 running and have run into a problem with firing. While checking it out I determined that I am only getting fire in two holes. Changed distributor cap and nothing changed.

What am I missing?

Jack

Did you check the wires to the dead cylinders? Check the gap on both points.

Bob

Yes wires were checked, plugs are new and properly capped.
Thanks
Jack

One set of points isn't working. The points must be cleaned to bare metal, degreased, and properly gapped.

Best way to clean 'em is to remove, separate the 2 sections, and polish the contact with crocus cloth, wrapped around a thin chunk of wood, a flat file, something suitable like that.

Keep the contact parallel to the paper. Degrease, reinstall, and regap to .020".

Long as there's not something wrong with points or condenser, you should get your fire back.

HTH........ed

Thanks, that make all the sense in the world. Will give it a try when I get back to the shop.
Jack

Once you do that cleanup hold the tip of the wire in your left hand while turning the motor over to make sure you did a good complete job. The motor will talk to you and let you know, you will also answer back with words that are not in the modern dictionary.

That sounds like the help I get from most of my friends. I'll count you among them.
Jack

If that doesn't work, double check that the wires are going to the correct areas (not just that they are tight and not touching where shouldn't). Check against the working cylinders. Not saying you didn't do that, but if they are reversed, you get nothing (please don't ask me how I know this!!)!

Always good to make new friends. Seriously, when you find the problem please share it with us even it it's a minor ooops. We all benefit from other peoples fixes. Could be as simple as one of the breaker wires shorting out or brittle/cracked. After all it is a 16 year old motor.

By my count its 56 years old. And yes I will report my findings.
Jack

Jack, you should also test the points with a test light or meter. The job of the points is to switch the ground of the coil primary off and on. Sometimes one of the wires to a set of points gets pinched, causing a short to ground. The insulating material on a set of points can also get cracked and damaged if the installer tightens up the contact screws to the wires too much. When both points are open, the "live" ends ( the part that moves) should be insulated from ground. When they close, they ground out by contacting the fixed ( non moving ) contact.


Also check that the resistor wire (a cloth woven covered wire) that goes from the coil to the motor wire harness isn't failing. These were originally 1 to 2 Ohms resistance, dropping the 12 volts from the battery down to 6 to 8 volts at the coil.

Thanks, I new there was a reason I was into cosmetics and left all this technical stuff to all you smart guys.
Will let you all know what I find out when I get back to the shop.
Jack

bruce gerard wrote:Also check that the resistor wire (a cloth woven covered wire) that goes from the coil to the motor wire harness isn't failing. These were originally 1 to 2 Ohms resistance, dropping the 12 volts from the battery down to 6 to 8 volts at the coil.[/quote]

Bruce, looks like this '61 75hp Johnrude has a magneto, hence no pesky resistor (ballast) wire, just the grounding (kill) wire at the side of the mag.

www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1961&hp=75&model=V4S-13&manufacturer=Johnson§ion=Magneto+And+Distributor+Group

Cheers.........ed