3.0L 4cyl no spark

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Open the points and check with your test light.<br /><br />OK how do I do that,I understand opening the points, but please explain how to test at that point. Do I just touch the points or what. <br /><br />No I wisheded I had a service manual.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

first make sure the dist shaft is turning.<br />remove the gray wire from the coil(tach feed)<br />check for voltage at the + side of the coil<br />rotate motor till the points are fully closed, open with a piece of material(matchbook cover)short the point arm to the dist housing and you should see a spark.if so, do it again, checking for spark at the coil tower.remove the matchbook(points should close ) and using an insulated tool open the points checking for spark at the coil tower.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Was the engine running when you purchased the boat? If so, what caused you to go through the replacement process on the ignition components? We need the full story to help trace the problem.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Well I got home last night and took another look at the points and noticed that the points were not paralell with one another and only contacting on one side of each othwer. I straightened them and ran a file across them to make them smooth and went thru the check process and now I have spark when I seperate them, happy days.<br /><br />The points were the only thing that I did not change because the owner said that he had changed the coil and the points were new last summer.<br />Regarding weather it was running when I got it no, he told be it started running rough last summer and then quit on him out on the lake.<br /><br />He put in a new coil, but that didn't correct the problem and never really tried after that. <br />Understand this boat is a loaner from him , but I plan to use it and buy it if I like the boat. I figured if I can get her runnibng and have the use of it what's the harm. Then If I decide that I don't like boating it's a win win for both of us right.<br /><br />Now I just need some warm weather to get the hose hooked up and try to start her up. Thanks to everyone for all the help

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Install NEW points. Like I said earlier, filiing is only a temporary repair to get you home so you can replace them. They won't last long at all after filing.<br />Once you set them with a feeler gauge to get it running. THEN, check and reset as needed using a dwell meter. After the dwell is set, you must reset the timing. Dwell changes timing.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Don,<br />Yes I plan to have the points changed my a mechanic that has a timing light and all, I don't have a timing light, so will have to have the Marina mechanic do that for me when I take it down prior to puting her into the boat slip. I just wanted to get the motor running here at home first and I think I can do that now with the old points. Does that make sense?

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Don, I got thinking about what you said about the dwell changing the timing, I wonder If the guy ever did that after changing the points, and that was the problem all along with it running rough and stalling out.<br />I just went ahead and changed out everything cause when I brought the boat home, it's fairly cheap and figured it couldn't hurt and was within my skill set. Checking the dwell I'm afraid is beyond my expierience.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Points after being used for only a short time can glaze over if allowed to sit unused for a while. Depends on the conditions. That is why it's recommended and best to do a tune up every spring before first launch. Then you know everything will work.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Don<br />I have another concerne, this boat was not properly wintersied, the watwer was drained from the motor and all, but the gas was not stabalised as recommended. The tank shows about half full, can I expect problems with the carb? Should I siphon the gas out of the tank and replace, is it too late to add stabalizer?

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

How old is it? Does it smell like gas? I doubt gas quality is any worry if it smells ok. If the guy(Previous Owner) used the boat last summer the gas should be fine.

 

[fireship1]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

If you don't know much about points install an electronic conversion kit www.pertronix.com. It's a 15 minute install and you never have to mess with points again. You just install it and set the timing once and that's it. Keep your old point set in a waterproof bag onboard. You can always throw it back in and get home if the module ever fails.Just one less thing to mess with so you can enjoy boating!

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Well I changed out the points today and did a rough setting ,used a match book cover, yes I know, but I could not seem to locate my feeler gauges. I got a good blue spark now when I rotate the rotor back and forth by hand to open the points slightly.I was surprised that I could do that, is that normal or is this an iddication of wear in the dist shaft/cam? I will have to wait until warmer weather here in upstate NY to try to start her up. Should I be aware of anything when I do this besides making sure the water is flowing?

 

[coalbucket]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

The rocking of the shaft should be from the mech. advance of the distributor.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

8x56mn, If I'm reading you posts correctly you have changed most of the ignition parts but I would like to try and work out if this is the cause of your problem or the result of your problem!<br /><br />Was the engine running before you changed all the ignition parts? If yes, why did you start changing parts? If no, did you do any checking before you started changing parts?

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Thanks to everyone for your help with my starting problems, I think everything is OK now I have spark. I will attempt to start her up as soon as I get warmer weather and will let you know how I make out.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Well everyone, got some warm weather so decided to throw on the muffs and try to start the beast. Popped the top, pulled of the spark arrestor and pumped the gas a few times. Turned the key and walla, she stated right up,ran her at 1500 rpms for a few minuets, shut her down pulled the drain plugs and now I'm happy as a clam. <br />Thanks to all<br />Gary

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Ayuh,...... I Love it when a plan comes together........ <br /><br />Feel Free to post that up in the Top thread of the forum........That's Why it's locked into the Top Spot........

 

[8x56mn]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

Well I do have one more question regarding my newly acquired money pit. It seems the hurricane force winds we had last week ripped up part of the canvas top and pulled out some rivets and tore the canvas along the rivet line along the portion that is sewed leaving it useless..<br />The cover over the rear of the boat is snapped on the rear over the transom and then gunnels and the other end meets half way forward and is zippered into the canvas that covers the cockpit forming a two piece cover top.<br />My question can I just get the rear half replaced or do I have to get the whole thing,. Can I just contact a repair shop for this work.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 3.0L 4cyl no spark

A repair shop would do it of course......You should look/post this question in non engine topics or restoration.....JK