1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

M

modtopdriver

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I am getting no spark in the lower cylinder. I have replaced the coil, plug wire,spark plug and replaced the points and condensor with an electronic device. I have done this also for the other cylinder and it sparks fine. The continuity of the spark plug wire to the spark plug tip tests ok. What am I missing?
 
samo_ott

samo_ott

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Re: 1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

An 'electronic' device? What is that? Are you not returning it to normal? If you are, you just missed something easy in there as the ignition systems are pretty basic... and if you have 1 side working, the other is identical :)
 
6

67Johnson6HP

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Jun 14, 2007
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Re: 1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

You might try switching the "electronic devices" - one may not be working. Also check wires real good. May be contact problem or bad wire.
 
M

modtopdriver

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Re: 1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

I put the points and condensers back in with the new coils, and new spark plug wires and the spark was great. I wasn't sure of the gap so I set it to .020. The motor ran good in a trash can, next I'll get it on a boat. Thanks
 
F

F_R

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Jul 7, 2006
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Re: 1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

Perhaps the spark plug wire was arcing through at the clamps?? Or shall we assume it was the "electronic device"?
 
jay_merrill

jay_merrill

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Re: 1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

The electronic device was most likely one of Brian Miller's transistorized ignition modules. While there certainly could have been something wrong with it if it were damaged in some way, they tend to be extremely reliable. My guess is that the problem was elsewhere - maybe the coil or spark plug wire.
 
wbeaton

wbeaton

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Jul 30, 2006
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2,332
Re: 1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

I agree he probably is using the aftermarket ignition module, but it sounds to me like the trouble came when he was attempting to use the new ignition not the old. I'd have moved the modules around to see if it was the unit or something else before abandoning it. Of course, I'd wouldn't have bothered with the ignition module in the first place, but it would be neat to try one out. Maybe someday...
 
C

captk

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Re: 1956 Johnson 5.5 no spark in bottom cylinder

I put a set of Ign modules on a 57 7.5 , 20 some yaers ago. With no upper crank seal I was shorting out points twice a year. I ran that motor for 8 years without ever having to pull the flywheel again. Saddly it was a victim of a flood and sat under water and mud for weeks and had to be put out of its misery. I would use those ign modules again if I have a unit that could use them.
 
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