1962 75 hp Johnson no spark...*FIXED*

[newfiez]

Hi all,

Having an issue with a '62 75hp not starting. I looked for obvious stuff, only found the carbon button in the distributor almost worn out, so I replaced the distributor cap and no fix. I hooked up an in-line spark tester from the coil to the distrubutor and it flashes. There is no spark from the distributor to the plugs. The plug and coil wires seem like they are in good shape.

Could it possibly be the rotor that's worn?

[Joe Reeves]

The coil wire screws/unscrews to/from the distributor. Remove it from the distributor (or use a different wire, plugged into the coil). Do a spark test to see if the spark will jump a 1/4" gap directly from the coil. If it does, replace the rotor.

Note... that automotive ignition distributor uses rotor #580338, NOT #580260!

[newfiez]

I'll try that tonight. I have an actual spark tester with adjustable gap that I can plug into the coil, and clip the other end to ground. If it doesn't make the gap, replace the coil? Or try points and condenser?

[newfiez]

Problem fixed! Thanks Joe!!

I checked the spark off the coil, and there was lots of blue spark with a 3/8" gap on the tester. I put a new Rotor in, and "click boom" it fired right up!

Thanks again