searched and am still not sure*evinrude fisherman*

[shortshaft]

i have a 5520 1960 evinrude 5.5hp fisherman and its only running on 1 cylinder. i checked then plugs and the top is firing and the bottom is sopping wet. also my heart is still pounding from when i removed the top cylinder cap and it zapped me and could see a big spark arc from the cap to the plug. i tried the same thing with the bottom cylinder and the engine ran same after i removed the cap and also there was no spark (i didnt get shocked again YAY). now what i am wondering is with these motors is. if im not getting spark on one cylinder is it the coil, wire, or plug that went bad or do/should i just replace everything? also im having a tough time getting the magneto off, i take it its similar to the magneto on an atv and i need a puller to get it off. any help is greatly appreciated.


Marc

 

[MushCreek]

Re: searched and am still not sure*evinrude fisherman*

Could be a coil, wire, condenser, or the points being bad or set wrong. It could even just be a spark plug. To work on anything but the plug, you need to remove the flywheel, which usually requires a puller. Once the flywheel is off, everything is right there in front of you. You CAN adjust the points without taking the flywheel off- remove the cover (on the flywheel), and you can see through the hole to adjust points. Might as well make sure it's not the plug, or points adjustment before you go any further.

 

[shortshaft]

Re: searched and am still not sure*evinrude fisherman*

how exactly do i adjust the points? i know they are supposed to be .020 but which screw do i turn?

 

[F_R]

Re: searched and am still not sure*evinrude fisherman*

That is obvious. Just look

 

[CATransplant]

Re: searched and am still not sure*evinrude fisherman*

Dare I suggest a manual? If you're not familiar with points and that sort of thing, a service manual...even an aftermarket one...would be of great help. It will have illustrations that show you exactly how to adjust points. Your local library will have one that includes your outboard. But, I suggest you buy one if you're going to work on your own outboard. It will save you tons of time and help you avoid all sorts of mistakes.

It's hard to describe, just in words, how to adjust points. Pictures help, and they're in the manual.

 

[shortshaft]

Re: searched and am still not sure*evinrude fisherman*

well i adjusted the points and swapped out the old plugs for new ones and still nothing. i think its time to open it up and start replacing parts.

 

[shortshaft]

Re: searched and am still not sure*evinrude fisherman*

well i got everything together but the armature plate and armature plate retaining ring are loose and when i pull the cord to try to start it, it spins about 1/8 of a turn and moves the throttle to off. how do i tighten it up?