1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

[Putzaroni1]

I have a 6hp Evinrude that is very clean. I started at the bottom and cleaned and greased the prop shaft, replaced the Water pump impeller and the thermostat. I then pulled the carb, cleaned it thoroughly and tried starting it. It runs but only idles and then eventually dies. I tested the 2 plug wires and one of them has a weaker spark than the other. I believe the is likely a coil but I'm all ears if I should be checking something else.

I tried to pull the flywheel off and cannot get the nut to let go. I had a strap wrench but it broke.
What do you guys use for a strap wrench to hold the flywheel ? I'm going to need it to hold well as this is going to take some torque to get this off.

Any recommendations on a strap wrench would be appreciated.
Any ideas on getting that nut loose and
Is replacing the coils, condensers and points the right approach to getting this thing back to running like new again ?

Thanks

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

all i use for removing the nut is an electric impact gun. then you need a harmonic balancer puller with grade 8 bolts, then a strap wrench, and torque wrench for putting it back together properly. ( some guys make a strap wrench out of a piece of nylon dog leash etc and a piece of wood for a handle)

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

That piece of junk strap wrench fell apart but the dog leash idea worked perfect.
Now I have a Harmonic balancer puller on it and so far no luck. I've applied pressure using the center bolt and struck the center bolt on the puller but it won't let go. Is there something else holding it or some other trick if it's stuck ?

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

patience and a spray of good penetrating oil usually works well on the small motors. be sure to lift up on the puller when rapping it with a hammer! also be sure that the puller is as level with the flywheel as possible.

 

[racerone]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

Sounds like it was overtightened.-Locking tapers are now really locked together.-----Big bump with a hammer will eventually pop it off.

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

When you say a big bump, you mean on the top of the puller on flywheel shaft correct ? I am hitting the top of the puller with a dead blow hammer 10 times while pulling up on the puller. I then check to see if I can tighten it a bit more. It does not seem to move. I've hit it with PB Blaster and continued to check if it's tight. I'm guessing I should not hit the sides of the flywheel or try hitting it on the bottom.
Guess I'll just keep trying !!

 

[geoffwga1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

Just keep trying Putz,you're doing ok sometimes it takes days for them to pop,just kee tightening and tapping and one morning you;ll go out and it will have popped.My record is a week and a day but that was a 40 and I think it was the first time off in 40 years.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

use the impact wrench on the puller?

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

Thank you all for the advice ....
I found this video last night and it did the trick for getting the flywheel off
How to pull a flywheel from an outboard.m4v - YouTube

Now on to the troubleshooting the ignition. Most of you problably know about this already but I found this video and it is excellent for showing step by step the processes of going through the ignition and it's components. Best video and description I've seen and I've been looking.
Evinrude Gale and Johnson ignition video part 1 of 7 - YouTube

I ordered Frank's ring and ignition fixture to simplify things and we'll see how we make out.

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

I recieved Frank's ring and ignition fixture and had a chance to try it out tonight. Man that guy makes nice stuff !!!

I noticed a couple things as I was setting the points. The armature plate moves an inch or so when I turn the crank. Is that normal ? If so, should I hold it back when setting the points or should I let it move till it stops and set it there ?

Also, I had weak spark on the bottom cylinder so I'm guessing I'm going to need to replace that coil but will do both.
Do I need to remove the armature plate to remove the coil and connect the spark plug leads again or can I do it with the plate in place ?

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6 HP Ignition

Update:

It can't be that easy. I thought the coils were weak but I'm guessing they don't spark so good if the timing is out.
I cleaned the points, put the shift lever in forward with full throttle the armature plate stopped moving. I set the timing the way Frank says and then tested the spark. While not every time I pulled, I get at 1/4 inch gap or maybe a bit more from both plugs. After a bit of playing with the low idle adjustment, it purrs like a kitten. It seemed to like being a bit richer than I've seen before but if it's happy, I'm happy

I will get it out on the lake this weekend to see if it runs good at high and low speed but right now I can put it in forward with the idle real slow and it putts along nice !!

Thank you Frank and all !