spark problem

[jdsgrog]

I have a '58 evinrude 10hp that I am trying to wake up. I bought this motor a couple of years ago, so it has been sitting. Anyway, I just can't get spark anymore. Below is what I have done so far and some results:

1. Have gone through everything as per "top secret" thread on waking a sitting outboard. The outboard has always turned freely.

2. Bought new coils and tune up kit. Installed to specs. Got spark. I sprayed a little gas/oil mixture into the carb to get things started. Put on the choke. And away she went...for 15-20 seconds. When I released the choke, she stalled. Put it back on choke, would not start. Sprayed gas/oil into carb, would not start. Tested spark, no more spark in either cylinder.

3. Took off flywheel and cleaned points, checked coils, etc. Put flywheel back on, and no spark.

4. Took off flywheel, took amature plate off shaft to check plug wires. Wires were fine, no cracks, clear path based on multimeter. Put it all together. No spark.

So what could it be?! Coils are around 7000 ohms. Coils, points, and condensers are all new. Started fine the first time, but lost spark. Am I missing something?

 

[ezeke]

Re: spark problem

Try disconnecting the kill switch wires if you have one.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

no kill switch.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: spark problem

When you checked the plug wires. Did you look under the wires where they might groung to the plate. When you bolted the coils down, are they in the right position to set air gap. Is the point cam upside right?, it is so marked. When the rubbing block on the points is in line with the crank key at point cam, gap should be .020. Did you check the connectors inside the plug boot?

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

Checked plug wires...all is good. Checked point gaps...set at .020. Plug boot...ok. Point cam? If you are talking about the cam the roller is on, it is right side up.

I am thinking there is a ground problem, but I just can't figure out where. I've ordered the repair manual as Clymers and Seloc is limited at best. I know a problem can be "arcing", but I don't know how to check for this. Also wondering if there is something else I am not checking?

The points look to be in good condition, and so do the condensers.

 

[jonesg]

Re: spark problem

Plugs out, pull the starter chord in the dark, very dark , and have someone watch for arcing.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: spark problem

clean and adjust points again use 400 grit sand paper. i belive wet or dry. also check all wires such as coils causr they have thin insulation and can be broken easily

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

Is it possible that the condensers failed? What do the condensers do exactly? Is there a way to test them?

 

[ezeke]

Re: spark problem

Follow the following through the steps; maybe it will remind you of something that needs checking. http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa... 5.5 HP 1954-1964 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

 

[F_R]

Re: spark problem

Is it possible that the condensers failed? What do the condensers do exactly? Is there a way to test them?

It is possible that they can fail, but they fail slowly, and certainly not both at the same instant. I could give you the complete Magnetos Theory 101, telling what the condensers do, but that is about like writing a small book. The Seloc manuals do a decent job of explaining stuff like that in layman's terms.

There has to be something that you are not looking at or ignoring. The only things that would cause instant failure of both cylinders would be a sheared flywheel key, or a shorted stop button. Certainly you would notice a sheared key. Are you sure you don't have a stop button? I thought a 1958 did, but could be wrong.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

I'll have to check, but I don't remember seeing one. I did look for some reason, and I remember thinking that it was strange that there was no stop button. I have an 18hp of that same era, and it has one. I guess I'll have to check the manual when I receive it.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: spark problem

Just reading this now.

Interesting. FR is right, they cant both fail at the same time. There must be something amiss. Can you post some photos just in case something is obvious to us. Re reading what you did it sound like you changed everything in the ignition system except the wires, correct? But again, they would not both fail at the same time. It is possible that when it first ran it was running on only 1 cylinder and then it failed.

Like the others said, the most common thing and likely thing is the kill switch.

Ok, I just check the parts manual for the '58 Johnson 10 and it has a kill switch and the original ad for the '58 Evinrude 10 and it says it has a stop switch. So if you don't recall it then the wires are probably lose in there dangling somewhere. Cause they always get in the way.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

Sorry, but I got the year wrong. It's a '56 evinrude. Model #10012-10626. Not sure if the '56 has a kill switch, but mine doesn't. I had a chance to check the condensers, they tested out fine. I'll switch out the spark plug wires next. I'll also check the points again. If I get a chance, I'll try to post pics.

 

[jonesg]

Re: spark problem

Make sure to SCREW the sparkplug wires onto the coil spike when installing them. Don't just try to push them on or you'll break the spike off ,
then you get no sparkies.!

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

Went and checked the motor again. Took off the armature plate and noticed something. Could this be the problem? Pardon my ignorance, but is this a sheared key?

(Sorry for the blurry pics. All I had was my phone's camera)

 

[samo_ott]

Re: spark problem

Hard to tell in the photo but if the cam slot does not line up with the crank slot which has to line up with the flywheel slot, there's a problem...

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

Yes, the cam slot and the crankshaft slot does not line up. How would i go about to fix the problem if this is the case?

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

anyone?

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: spark problem

Ok, so I looked at the motor again today. Readjusted the cam so it lined up with the key. Put everything back together, and got strong spark on both plug wires. I started up the motor in the water "tank", and it started right up, but died right back after a few seconds. I took everything apart again, and sure enough the cam was misaligned again.

Now here's the problem, the cam has a slight groove on the top that was "cut" out by the key. I also noticed that the washer for the flywheel/flywheel nut was also stripped with a grove (need to get that replaced). A few questions:

1. Am I going to need to get a new cam?
2. Do they still sell oem parts for this motor, or am I going to have to look around?
3. How do you pull the cam off?
4. If I need to replace the woodruff key, how do I take that out and where can I find a new one?

 

[ezeke]

Re: spark problem

Be sure to torque the flywheel nut to specifications - no lubricants.

The flywheel key is available from your BRP/Evinrude dealer: http://dealerlocator.evinrude.com/en/410000.shtml