Chrysler 55hp help !!!

[DarkeMaster]

As a newby to outboard repair I am an idiot when it comes to these things so bear with me..I have ordered a manual today that covers these but it is going to take 7-9 days to get here and I would like to make some progress now..I have two of these units.

Model: 557HD - 1974 Serial # 1449 /Compression 145/150
Model: 559HF - 1975 Serial # 4264 /Compression 145/150

As far as I can see, the two units have nearly identical parts both have brand new Borg Warner S58 Solenoids (I installed today) and the starters spin up and turn the flywheel as they should ( I only have one flywheel so I have to switch it back and forth whenever I am working on a particular motor, {what a pain in the keister}). The 1974 spins fairly freely but the 1975 spins real jerky until I remove the plugs and then it spins better...Both have CD modules (I think), one is an external magnapower (1974) (which is not connected because I do not know how) and the other is a black box bolted onto the cylinder head which is already connected. Both have good compression (about the same on each), but no spark to the plugs or measurable power to the coils....

I have tested both engines by applying 225A off of a jumpstarter to turn the starters/motors and they spin. When I manually turn flywheel in gear the props turn. So I am guessing basic mechanics are good. I am not attaching fuel line until I get the electrical figured out and working....BUT, and here are the questions...

1. When power is on should I be able to test any voltage at the back of the coils?

2. Where do the coils get power from?

3. Where can I get parts (Another flywheel, Coils, DC units)?

3. I have heard that you can convert these to not use the Magnapower ignitions, Is that true?

4. How do you wire these damn external Magnapower Ignitions (if I have to use it)?

5. I have no spark at the plugs when engine is spinning? Shouldn't I have a spark of some kind?

6. Are these engines even worth trying to fix or putting money into?

7. Are the DC unit and the Ignition module the same thing?

8. Is it possible to find replacement Ignition modules if mine are bad?

How do I test if my module is bad (In simple english terms please )?

I have read just about every post in every forum on the Internet about these motors and I don't understand half of what I'm reading, but I am really trying to learn. I am sure that I will have plenty more questions even after my manual arrives, but you guys have been great here so far..(Thanks in advance) I appreciate the help more than you know...

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Chrysler 55hp help !!!

Good news and Bad news! Which do you want first? You say the engines have Magnapower. Is it Magnapower II? if it is and the modules go bad --which they did very frequently-- there are no replacement parts. This was a very erratic ignition system and Chrysler quit making it after only a few years. They did offer a retrofit kit but of course that is no longer available. If you hunt around on line you should be able to find parts for retrofit. If it is regular Magnapower, you still should be able to find parts.

Where are you located? If you decide to get rid of the engines I would be interested buying in some of the parts. TonyonMemory@yahoo.com

Best to talk with an old Chrysler guru Franz. He will be on the Chryselr Crew chat room tonight from 9-11pm eastern.

 

[DarkeMaster]

Re: Chrysler 55hp help !!!

Thanks Frank,

I think they are series I, there is nothing that says magnapower II. I really don't know what they made available in 74 and 75. I paid $300 dollars apiece for the motors in hopes of making one good one, but after looking at them, I'm kinda hoping to make them both run. Here are some pics:

Don't know if anyone can identify that Magnapower as a series I or II...Hope somebody can help with that..

I'll let you know if I have to part these out...

Thanks

 

[steelespike]

Re: Chrysler 55hp help !!!

The magna power ignition is very sensitive to improper trouble shooting.
If it has been cranked without the plugs or wires grounded the ignition is probably damaged.Not sure about the prognosis but it may be repairable.
Flywheel install has specific instructions.reccomends lapping the flywheel to crank if there is evidence of working.90% surface contact is minimum required.Flywheel nut torque is 70ft.lbs.I don't think I would swap any more
until you get your manual.Many parts are scarce as hens teeth and expensive.In my mind at $600 your about at the max until you can dertimine
if you can get one to run using what you have.Compression sounds real good.point sets and impellers are available.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Chrysler 55hp help !!!

Now that I see the pictures---The CD box shown separately is definitely Motorola Magnapower. These can still be found. The engines look like they could both be Motorola ignition -- Motorola did use different boxes on various engines--but I wouldn't bet the ranch on it. I didn't work on many of these engines. You would best check with Franz. Look him up on the Chrysler Crew site.
Hard to tell, but the one with no flywheel looks like it might have two sets of points. If so, you are golden. First check condition of points then gap. these points only signal the CD box but if they are bad, no spark--just like with conventional points. points are set to .020. If you are trying to jump start the engines without a battery, they will not start. These CD boxes require battery power to fire the coils.

The one with the flywheel has the coils on the side and looks just like the battery ignition with alternator. Does it have points and condensers under the flywheel? If so, no box is required. Again, points gapped to .020 And I'm not sure, but the two engines may require a different flywheel.

Without buying the Merc-O-tronic analyser, you cannot test the module except by putting it on a known good engine. If the engine does not run the module is bad.
with any type ignition, the coils are fired by a pulse of voltage. the only time you would be able to measure voltage at the coil primary is when the points are closed on a battery ignition system or when the CD box dumps voltage into it momentarily. A regular voltmeter would not react quickly enough to give a proper reading in this case.
If by the DC unit, you mean the rectifier, that is the square or rectangulr black unit mounted on the starter mount. The cd box is capacitor discharge and is the larger box that will have wires running to the plus side of the coils.

 

[DarkeMaster]

Re: Chrysler 55hp help !!!

Man, (Steelespike, Frank in particular) You guys are great. All this information is EXTREMELY useful. I also went to the Public Library today and picked up a Clymer Service Manual and have been reading the info to educate myself more on these motors (I ordered the Selco manual from iBoat yesterday).

The 1974 motor has "ALTERNATOR" on the cowl and from what I have been reading (and from the Clymer wiring diagram) it does not require the CD unit (even though the guy I got it from gave me the MagnaPower ignition box with it).

Apparently, he thought it needed it, could not figure out how it worked and bailed it off on me. Having that box with the implication that it was supposed to go on that motor really has thrown me for a curve. For the life of me, I could not figure out how it was going to work.

The Alternator motor is the one I think I am going to fix. Everything mechanical between the two motors appears to be exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the ignition, coils..etc.

I guess will use the other motor (with "MagnaPower on the cowl) for parts in the future or break it down and sell the individual parts I don't use if I cannot make it run reasonably cheaply. I would probably be much better off to fix the one without the CD unit if I plan to not have problems getting parts in the future (or paying through the nose for them). I will however test the CD units and see if they are any good. If either one of them is, I might try to fix up the other motor too.

From what I have read, there are three basic setups on these Chrysler 55HP motors from 1970 to 1976;

1. W/Magneto (NO CD UNIT)
2. W/ Alternator (NO CD UNIT)
3. W/Magnapower (Various CD UNITS)

Am I correct on this?

By the way, BOTH motors have dual points under the flywheel. Does that mean anything I should know?

I am working on purchasing a Merc-O-Tronic tester on eBay because that is what the manual suggests for accurate readings on these things.

All of the wiring diagrams I have show a starter switch, Is there anything special about that keyswitch or will almost any marine starter switch work?

What do you guys think about my logic on this? Is the Alternator unit the best repair choice overall?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Chrysler 55hp help !!!

Yep! I agree; the alternator one is the one to get running first. -- It is standard points ignition with an alternator to charge the battery. Simple to work on, simple wiring, and parts: points and condensers are still available. Don't need to worry if the box is good because there is no box. Wiring diagram and switch is in the back of Clymers.

As I indicated earlier the other points are only for signaling the box to dump its capacitors into the coils. That's how the timing is set and advanced.

The switch to use is the six terminal switch---M I M B C S Magneto, Ignition, Magneto, Battery, Choke, Start. or similar letters.

The 55 was the lightest 55 made at 156 lbs, and at the time, it outran the 55 evinrude 3 cyl. Good little engine. I had mine on a 15 foot Glastron and I think it did 28 or 32 mph I forget which. I learned to ski behind it and only swapped it out when I got too heavy. Ran mine up the Hudson river from N.Y City to Canada twice.

If you decide to part out the other engine, Keep me in mind for the crankshaft.