Newbie Needs Help 1969 Chrysler 70hp OB No Spark

[huskerdaninva]

Hello and I appreciate any help I can get. I'm a newbie to this site and boating in general so please be gentle. I purchased a 1969 Chrysler 14' Valiant w/ 1969 Chrysler 70 hp OB. She has been out of the water for at least 20 years and stored out of the elements. A TRUE barn find, as the boat looks to be completely original. I'll try and post pictures a bit later. Info follows:
Boat Hull # 640331583
Eng. Model # 7071 / Serial # 5145

Magna Power Ignition Power Pack Info:
Model # 6CB2012
Serial # 25719

Engine turns over freely, has very good compression, is getting fuel. etc. No spark. She is a 3 cylinder with Magna Power ignition & distributor and I suspect the power pack or black box is dead. The coil had a terminal broken off and a jerry rigged screw holding the wire, so I tried to use an automotive coil in an effort to get lucky,hoping for the best. With a marine battery hooked up to the cables and the key enaged in the switch, the starter turns over wonderfully, the ignition key activates the choke when pushed in, but no fire at all. I checked the neutral safety switch already hoping to get lucky...Any thoughts or advice? Do I have alternatives to purchasing a new power pack? Can another ignition system be swapped... say one without a distributor? Can I get a used box at a decent price somewhere? I just want to get this old girl fired up! Thanks again in advance...
"Husker" Dan

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Newbie Needs Help 1969 Chrysler 70hp OB No Spark

Auto coil will not work with the Magna Power box, it must be the coil that was attached to it. Parts are available. However, I believe your ignition is signaled by points in the distributor. Before you go buying parts, check the condition of the points and gap them to .014. There is a strong possibility that the points have oxidised from just sitting for so many years.

Google The Chrysler Crew. Join, and as a matter of fact, join the chat room tonight at 9PM Eastern time.

If your Valiant is in as good condition as you say, they will be overjoyed to see photos. BTW: You may not remember it but the Valiant was a compact 6 cylinder auto built by Chrysler for a number of years during the '60s.

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: Newbie Needs Help 1969 Chrysler 70hp OB No Spark

Thanks for the info on Chrysler Crew Frank & I'll check the points out next time I'm tinkering...oh yeah, I remember the Valiant. Learned to drive on a slant six Dodge Dart and my first car was a Plymouth Duster.
If your interested I started another new thread on the restoration board and posted a picture of the boat before I got her home and at least washed her.
"Husker" Dan

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: Newbie Needs Help 1969 Chrysler 70hp OB No Spark

If anyone is interested I finally solved my "no spark" issue. Had to replace the coil, clean & re-gap the points, re-installed and adjusted the distributor to coincide with the flywheel timing mark. I also bought and installed a used CDI box/power pack. My old one turned out to be OK, but the gelatinous purple goop on the inside of the CDI has leaked out over the years so I figured it best to replace it. Anyway, I now have spark and the old girl wants to run. I still need to adjust the cold start timing advance and clean the carbs when I get a free moment this weekend. At least I know the motor will run and when she does catch for a moment she blows out some water from the exhaust port.
"Husker" Dan

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: Newbie Needs Help 1969 Chrysler 70hp OB No Spark

Well, I FINALLY can say that this vintage old Chyrsler runs! Had to rebuild the fuel pump and re-plumb the fuel lines, etc. Hooked up the battery, set the control to "cold start",turned the key, pressed in to activate the the choke, hit the key to start and she fired after over 20 years in hibernation. It was awesome. Ran her for a while, put her in gear and throttled her up in forward and reverse with no problems. Seems to run pretty good. Still have to adjust the carbs once I get her de-carboned etc. But she is ALIVE! What a feeling!