50 Force - No Spark

[-Nate]

Hi iBoats!

I just picked up my first boat, or what's left of it, and plan to restore it. It's a 1986 Bayliner Capri 1400.

I can't get any spark to the plugs. There is 12.5 volts on the ignition and positive terminals on the terminal block on the engine with the key turned on.

I keep reading about a kill switch/lanyard being the most common reason for no spark, but I don't see one anywhere on this boat and don't see any mention of it in the manual. Does this boat have a kill switch that would be preventing spark??

The boat came with a spare engine so I borrowed the plug wires from it to see if they would make a difference but that is as far as I've gone.

What's the next step...checking out the stator?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

-Nate

 

[RCO]

The early Force 50's are battery ignition with points. If you have power at the positive terminal of the ignition coils with the key in the run position the points and condensers need to be cleaned/adjusted or replaced.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The 86 might have a kill button??
If you do it would be on the dash next to the key.
The lanyard is a small black thing that fits over the top of the switch.

They started putting them on all Bayliners in 87.
You sure the motors a 86? What color? Model#
You need to figure how to remove the flywheel and clean the points?

 

[-Nate]

Thanks for the replies. With the key on I have about 12 volts at BOTH of the terminals on both of the coils, is that normal?

 

[RCO]

Yes, that is normal. Time to pull the flywheel .

 

[-Nate]

Yes, that is normal. Time to pull the flywheel .

All right thanks...will do.

And Jerry the boat is a 1986 model but the manufacture date says June 1985. I sure don't see a kill switch anywhere on this one.

 

[-Nate]

So I pulled off the flywheel, did a rudimentary test of the condensers using a multimeter, cleaned the points with fine grit sandpaper, and put it back together.

I can now get it to fire from time to time when I crank it over, but when it does the flywheel/engine wants to change direction...the starter is spinning the flywheel around but when it fires it knocks it back the other direction. ..sort of like the timing is too far advanced and the combustion is forcing the piston down while it is on its way up.

I am confused on how the timing cam/ring is supposed to stay in the proper position. It is keyed, but sits below the key on the crankshaft so that the key doesn't seem to be able to hold it in place. Is it supposed to be pressed onto the crankshaft to keep it in place?

Because the cam controls the points opening and closing and therefore would seem to control the timing, it seems that this ring would have to be in the correct position.

What is supposed to hold that ring in place? How do you mechanically set the timing on this engine if it is not done by rotating that timing cam, or is it done that way?

 

[-Nate]

The timing cam ring rotates freely. I can line it up with the key, put the flywheel on and tighten it down, crank the engine and get it to fire but not run. When I pull the flywheel back off the timing cam ring is rotated to a different position and is no longer lined up with the key.

What is supposed to hold this thing in place?

 

[jerryjerry05]

It's supposed to be welded in place.