Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

[james__12345]

I noticed today my armature plate has some side to side wiggle to it.

I finally noticed it as a result of ordering a coil ring from Frank. I checked my coils with it, and I noticed they were set in a little too far. After I set them out with the ring, I noticed they were sitting flush with the outside of the boss under them. Back when I put them in, when I set them flush like that, they rubbed the flywheel and the motor wouldn't start. On my plate, on the top edge of each boss, there is a 45 degree bevel. I decided to try setting the edge of the coil even with where that 45 met the top of the boss. That seemed to solve the problem, and the motor would start. At some point I even found a post here suggesting to do just that, I don't remember if it was before or after I tried it, but anyway, it seems I'm not the first to have success with that.



Anyway . . . when the ring set the coils out flush with the outside of the boss, I started checking a little deeper in to what was going on, because I knew my motor wouldn't run that way, and I noticed the plate would wiggle. I've read a few posts about smacking the brass ring under the plate with a hammer to adjust it, and I just don't like the sound of that. Has anyone had any luck with using something as a shim UNDER the brass ring? Pieces of old feeler gauges or something?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

What we have done is pull everything off and use a punch and dimple all the way around the base to pucker up the metal and be sure to grease it well with a heavy grease (that helps take up slack too).

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

(Magneto Armature Plate)
(J. Reeves)

If the armature plate has a a loose fitting, wobbling motion (the plate that the points, coils etc are attached to), it is usually caused by a slightly worn support ring. This allows the point setting to change erratically as the armature plate turns.

The cure is to remove the armature plate so that the support which is attached to the powerhead with 4 screws is visible. Then, with a screwdriver and hammer, or some tool of your choosing, and looking straight down at the support ring, make an indentation at what would be called the 12, 3, 6, and 9 O'clock positions. Install the armature plate and check for a smooth turning wobble free movement.

You may need to do that procedure a few times to obtain the proper fit (not too tight, not too loose), but it's worth the effort.

Use a small amount of anti corrosive grease between the aluminum ring and the brass support plate and also on the brass bushing of the armature plate when all is well.

 

[F_R]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

Make sure the aluminum retainer plate under the brass ring is right side up. It goes flat side up. Wobble also is sometime caused by the brass bushing in the armature plate being cracked loose. If it is, you will have to replace the armature plate. If the neck on the crankcase is worn, there is an improved armature plate kit that will fix it. It comes with different bushings and support rings.

 

[james__12345]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

The retainer plate is flat side up. I checked that before I posted this question. I didn't notice the bushing in the armature plate being loose, but I didn't really know to look for that at the time. I didn't notice the crank case neck being worn, but I'll check it and the bushing out better tomorrow.

 

[james__12345]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

The bushing was fine. I went ahead and went with the hitting the support ring at 12 3 6 and 9, and actually got it too tight. I've got to take the ring off, and flatten it out a bit, but one of the three screws is seriously stuck, so I've got it soaking in WD40 right now to break it loose. Thanks for the help.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

Simply stick a large screwdriver under the brass ring and pry it up slightly... no need to remove it.

 

[james__12345]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

I got the plate set right now, no wobble, but it moves easy enough now. The motor still doesn't get any spark with the coils set with the ring. They still have to be set back to the way I had it before on the top edge of the 45 on the boss. Any ideas what would be causing it to not work with coils set out with the edge of the boss like all the directions I see say to do it?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

Having them out too far should not limit spark. They will hit the magnet, but if not hitting magnet, they cannot be out too far. Maybe bad coil pin to wire connection and the bit of rotation pulling it out loses continuity across them>? Sorry, dont know.

 

[james__12345]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

Having them out too far should not limit spark. They will hit the magnet, but if not hitting magnet, they cannot be out too far. Maybe bad coil pin to wire connection and the bit of rotation pulling it out loses continuity across them>? Sorry, dont know.

When set out flush with the outer edge of the boss, the coils do rub just a LITTLE bit. When set flush with the edge of the boss "by hand" using a straight edge, and when set with the ring. I have a feeling the first question will be if the flywheel it self has any wobble to it. I have already checked that, and it doesn't move at all that I can tell. My only other idea is that maybe the armature plate may still not be setting perfectly centered after tightening it up, but I have no idea how to check that.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Armature plate wobble on 1968 evinrude 18 hp

Measure its height off similar heights of the powerhead.

If it is sparking and running with the coil laminations set by hand, just run her like that.