Mercruiser 1973 302 188 has no spark on plugs

Glastron888

Cadet
Joined
Jun 25, 2020
Messages
8
No spark to #1 plug

Kinda lost here boat sat for some time replaced wires plugs dist cap rotor button coil getting new points and condensor. The firing order was ground off engine. Engine compression looks good believe I have the right firing order on wires still no spark. Got 12 volts on positive of coil there's a micro switch also connected but don't know which side of coil? Was told micro switch was to interrupt spark when you changed from neutral to either forward or reverse? What else could be wrong ? Going to get timing light to see if it's timed right or get it to a marina to let mechanic look at it. Like to get boat in the water this summer and get my wife off my ass for buying it...lol
 

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achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Hello Glastron888


Please Read This Before Posting...-> How to Ask a Question....

Also, that micro switch is the shift interrupt switch. It momentarily cuts spark while coming OUT OF GEAR. NEVER EVER while going from neutral. It's connected to the coil negative.

Chris.
iboats mod team
 

Glastron888

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Jun 25, 2020
Messages
8
I have a Glastron Bar Harbor 1973. It has been sitting at least a year. I did the following to engine. I also know it's the original engine.
Drained fuel, oil, replaced filters. Replaced spark plugs and wires. Replaced rotor cap and button I believe single point distributor? The firing order was ground down on the engine and can't find the serial numbers for the engine and out drive. Believe out drive is Pre Alpha. Both hydrolic cylinders were seazed up also the pump was drained and needs to be wired up correctly.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Are you missing spark on just #1, or all cylinders?
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
I have merged your 2 threads. Please, only one thread per question. Trying to keep track of multiple threads is beyond my tiny brain.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Drive is an MC1, not pre-alpha (no such thing as a pre-alpha)...

Did you clean the new points before putting them in?

Here is your firing order.

188firing order.JPG
 

Glastron888

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Jun 25, 2020
Messages
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Thank you for doing that I really appreciate all the help. I cleaned old points waiting on new ones. I need to know how to wire up the pump on my mc-1 out drive
 

Glastron888

Cadet
Joined
Jun 25, 2020
Messages
8
Getting spark on plugs still won't run. Getting back fire and blue smoke out of the Holley 2 barrel carb. New condenser points believe I have proper gap unsure is it .24?
 

Fuss188

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Messages
34
I have a 73’ 188 and I set the points at .017.. runs good there.. if you’ve got spark at the plugs but it’s backfiring, I’d suspect some crossed plug wires or the timing is off..
 
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