Please help, I am an idiot

[TroyNic]

1984 mercruiser 470 with alpha1
so my boat was running... I pulled the points off to change them and realized I had the wrong ones , put the old ones back in and have no spark.? Any ideas?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Did ya Set the points,..?? to what measurement,..??

 

[Alumarine]

Did you gap them when you put them back in?
Gap should be .022" and dwell is 28-34 for some models if not all.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Lots off possible causes

you may want to Re- check all your wire connections and the gap. // Check for 12 volts at coil -- pretty sure its a purple wire

 

[TroyNic]

So an update......I got spark coming from coil but in the absence of a feeler guage is there anything I can use to get close?

 

[stonyloam]

We used to use a matchbook cover, when we used to carry matches.

 

[TroyNic]

Thank you

 

[Bt Doctur]

paper matchbook is around.018 doubled for plugs .036

 

[metsfan3197843]

Old school...I love it!!

 

[TroyNic]

So now all i get is a backfire through carb.....exactly how are the points supposed to contact the lobe and when should they be closed?

 

[Bondo]

So now all i get is a backfire through carb.....exactly how are the points supposed to contact the lobe and when should they be closed?

Ayuh,..... 1st, read this,...... then this,...... finally, this,...... All iboats links, found in Don'S Adults Only Section,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

^+1.

follow the stickies

points are the easiest thing to understand once you understand simple mechanical and electrical concepts. a ramped lobe opening and closing a switch for a set period of time (dwell). I wish they still taught autos in high school.

once you set the points, you need to set the timing.

 

[stonyloam]

One thing to know, the coil fires when the points OPEN, charges during the time the points are closed (dwell).

 

[TroyNic]

Got it running!

 

[Scott Danforth]

here is another tip. when setting points, run a point file thru them first. if you dont have a point file, your wife's nail file works....just ask first.

 

[Simoniz]

here is another tip. when setting points, run a point file thru them first. if you dont have a point file, your wife's nail file works....just ask first.

better to ask for forgiveness, than permission...

 

[stonyloam]

Yeah, if you are going to run points you should invest in a points file (about $5 for 2). A quick touch up to make sure your points make good contact will keep you running. It is not a good idea to use sandpaper because it can leave grit between the points, and round off the points, reducing the contact surface.

 

[achris]

Back in the bad ol' days, when we had points (Australia has advanced beyond that now ) a piece of newsprint (the paper) was considered the best for cleaning points. It didn't take any metal off, only the surface oxidization, and left no residue... Worked a treat.... And if the old points tore the paper, that indicated it was time for new points.

Chris.........

 

[Maclin]

Back in the bad ol' days, when we had points (Australia has advanced beyond that now ) a piece of newsprint (the paper) was considered the best for cleaning points. It didn't take any metal off, only the surface oxidization, and left no residue... Worked a treat.... And if the old points tore the paper, that indicated it was time for new points.

Chris.........

I have this filed under "Things I Learned From My Grandpa in 1967". Subcategory "....but forgot..." Thanks for the pleasant memory achris!

 

[achris]

I have this filed under "Things I Learned From My Grandpa in 1967". Subcategory "....but forgot..." Thanks for the pleasant memory achris!

:facepalm: Am I really that old?.... out: