First Timer and need help BAD! Mercruiser I/O

[EbkoMarquis77]

Just bought a 1977 Ebko Marquis 1650. As of two years ago it was running smooth (according to previous owner that is). Once it was winterized for that season, it has sat until I bought it just a week ago. The boat itself is in surprisingly great shape (cosmetically) - but my issues lie with the motor. Key in ignition - blower, bilge, accessories, nav lights, engine timer all work. However, using a wire tester shows no power to ignition wires? Power at starter and distributor, no power at ignition coil. This is my first project and I am dead set on getting this boat running, but I currently don't know anything substantial about boats/motors. I want to learn anything and everything I can, but I'm having a hard time getting started. Let me know what other information would help. Any help from you smart guys would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Bondo]

Just bought a 1977 Ebko Marquis 1650. As of two years ago it was running smooth (according to previous owner that is). Once it was winterized for that season, it has sat until I bought it just a week ago. The boat itself is in surprisingly great shape (cosmetically) - but my issues lie with the motor. Key in ignition - blower, bilge, accessories, nav lights, engine timer all work. However, using a wire tester shows no power to ignition wires? Power at starter and distributor, no power at ignition coil. This is my first project and I am dead set on getting this boat running, but I currently don't know anything substantial about boats/motors. I want to learn anything and everything I can, but I'm having a hard time getting started. Let me know what other information would help. Any help from you smart guys would be greatly appreciated!!

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor is in it,..??

Ya might have power at the starter, but ya can't have power at the distributor, 'n not at the coil,.......
Because the power goes from the coil's (+) terminal, TO the distributor,...

'n My WAGuess is, the Points, which are inside the distributor, are Junk,....

 

[tpenfield]

You might be testing for power at the starter via the main lead from the battery, which would not mean that you have power to other parts of the engine (starter solenoid, coil, etc.).

Best to see if you can get a manual for the engine and go through the wiring, check any/all circuit breaker, fuses, etc as well.

 

[EbkoMarquis77]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor is in it,..??

Ya might have power at the starter, but ya can't have power at the distributor, 'n not at the coil,.......
Because the power goes from the coil's (+) terminal, TO the distributor,...

'n My WAGuess is, the Points, which are inside the distributor, are Junk,....

Bondo, its a Mercruiser 140. I DO have a manual, but its the first time I've used one of those too, so its a bit difficult to determine where to start in it.



Its a Mercruiser 140. I do have a manual, but until I know what I'm looking for in order to make sense of it, I am struggling very badly.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Power goes from the battery, to the starter's solenoid battery lug,....

Then to the motor mounted circuit breaker,....

Then to the key switch,...

The key powers the ignition, 'n start circuits, dependin' on key position,....
"On" powers the purple ignition circuit, "Start" powers the red/yellow startin' circuit,...

Points ignition is very well explained in here, here, 'n here, found in Don'S Adults Only section at the top of this forum,....

 

[alldodge]

:welcome: to iboats

Maybe this can help explain what should be going on in the ignition circuit (disregard vacuum advance)


Here is a link to a wiring manual and yours is on page 4
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/servmanl/13/13e4r2.pdf