Johnson 50 very low compression on lower cyl.

[nautme]

Re: Johnson 50 very low compression on lower cyl.

Im trying to figure what your saying,is the engine so old it has an external generator,a 1970 60 hp would be a 3cyl loop charged and unless Im totally losing it the charging circut is under the flywheel and the same units that power the engine also charge the battery,or,is your engine one of the older 4 cylinder engines,pre 1970 ,I have to think you have the newer style,therefore it would be wired through the eng harness and the charging circut would be connected at the solonoid with the battery cable

You're correct, it is a 1970 60 hp 3 cyl. loop charged engine. Do I just need to run a wire from the solonoid bat post to the battery + post and then to the voltmeter? When I got the boat, there were 2 end terminals connected to the battery + post, but someone had cut the wires from them and I don't know where they connected to. Each time I took it out, when I returned , I would charge the battery and then put a battery tender on it. Also, I noticed when I connect or disconnect the + cable from the battery, there would be sparks. Is this normal with the key off?
Now as to the exhaust leak...where would be a good place to start looking? I hate that I'm asking so many dumb questions, but these boat motors seem to be a little different from what I'm used to working on. The exhaust seems to exit through the propeller on this engine.