70 hp Chrysler No Spark

I just bought a 1970 tri-haul with a 70 hp Chrysler Outboard. I can't get any spark to the plugs. I have checked for power going to the CD Ingnition and it does have power but don't know how to check from there any help or info would be great... Oh ya this is my first boat and never had it running.

Also it has the Magnapower Delta Ignition System

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

No spark?? check for dwell!!! first step in no spark diagnosis i learned many years ago.

Smokn said:

Also it has the Magnapower Delta Ignition System

Click to expand...

I've got a 1976 Chrysler 70 that says "Magnapower Ignition" on the engine cowl... however, it uses standard points, condenser trigger system and a standard coil. Now it may be a "high output" coil, (for that time), but is stil the most basic of ignition systems.

Good Luck
Michael

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

If you have the Magnapower Ignition and have a belt driven distributor with points before you do anything else check/clean your points well and gap them to .014. Check the inside of the cap and clean the terminals and ensure there is no carbon tracking or shorting of the terminals. Check your connections at the coil and make sure ALL of your ground connections are good. Many times people will incorrectly blame the infamous black box for a no spark condition when the culprit is truly the points. If you don't have one already, get a good manual. These are real simple engines that are easy to work on and don't require much special knowledge other than basic mechanical skills. Main thing to remember...NEVER reverse the cables on the starting battery or you WILL kill the black box!

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

huskerdaninva said:

If you have the Magnapower Ignition and have a belt driven distributor with points before you do anything else check/clean your points well and gap them to .014. Check the inside of the cap and clean the terminals and ensure there is no carbon tracking or shorting of the terminals. Check your connections at the coil and make sure ALL of your ground connections are good. Many times people will incorrectly blame the infamous black box for a no spark condition when the culprit is truly the points. If you don't have one already, get a good manual. These are real simple engines that are easy to work on and don't require much special knowledge other than basic mechanical skills. Main thing to remember...NEVER reverse the cables on the starting battery or you WILL kill the black box!

Click to expand...

Very well put Dan!...

Smokin, this is very good advise!!

Example:

In brief; I have a `76 Chrysler 70hp. Which ever since I have known of the boat (8 years now) it has sat, non running. I was told it needed a control module?? I was finally asked to see if I could get it running. I pulled the cowl and checked for spark.. no spark, no surprise.. checked for dwell at the coil, no dwell... pulled the cap of the belt driven dist. to see what controlled dwell signal and low and behold a set of points... checked for continuity to ground through the points... no continuity, since points weren't available locally, I removed the points, filed them good.. re-installed them and poof, we have spark!!
Motor starts easy and seems to run well, (in a trash can full of water)? Will know more after I get it on the lake?.. and that's another story "deck. stringer & floatation replacement"... lol


Dan,
You don't by chance know timing spec's for that motor do you???
Since I haven't been able to get the spec's around my area yet... I did the old set em at 24 and let er go, for the point gap. I will correct that now!
I just haven't addressed the timing yet... and I'm pretty sure they played with it?

ciao
Michael

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

If you have your motor running "well" now I would just ensure a good static timing. Check your flywheel and find "0". Moving the flywheel in a CW direction only, line up the "0" on the flywheel with the "I" mark on your timing index plate that is hopefully still on your motor. (This should also coinccide with #1 cylinder being in the TDC position.) Now, your distributor has an alignment mark on the top belt drive gear, looks kind of like a "smile" with a mark coming out of the middle perpendicular. The "smiley" portion of this mark should line up parallel to the curve of the flywheel, and the other mark should be pointing at the center of the flywheel. If everything lines up you have a basic static tune and with proper point gap if everything else checks she ought to run or at least cough.

You really need to adjust your point gap correctly ASAP. The gap you are running now can cause some issues. If you have things as above your motor should run. From there you really need a manual and a timing light to make proper adjustments. Somebody on here, aka the expert/gurus may be able to "talk" you thru the process, but I'm just not competent. I would also suggest that if the motor is running well, resist the urge to start adjusting things willy nilly in an effort to "fine tune" the motor. (especially the carbs!!) You may find yourself in more trouble than you ever bargained for. One man's opinion!

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

Thanks I filled the points and set them also and guess what WE HAVE FIRE! She started up instantly after setting for 2 years. You don't know how much I appriciate your help. Now I hope she runs great out on open water. If I could only get back the time I wasted testing out everything I could think of, I would already know.

Thanks again!

P.S. The only thing I found wrong with your post was you miss spelled Nebraska Football, there is NO substitute! It is spelled OU Football GO SOONERS!!! LOL

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

Kewl... Glad to hear that Smokn!
and don't look at that time as wasted.... look at it as time spent learning

Dan, any and all input is appreciated!!

Static timing is good, that's a no brainer. Just need to know what the timing spec is for this engine. Point gap (dwell angle) adjustments affects timing, so yes, I need to set that correctly first. And while a timing light is the best way there is another way when working with point triggered ignition. Simply align your flywheel timing mark with the mark specified by ignition timing, then rotate/adjust the distributor till the points just break, which can be detected with the ignition off using an ohm meter or a test light. The engine is now timed to what ever you have the flywheel mark aligned with.

In brief, about me... Certified Master Automotive Tech, Factory Certified Master Acura Tech (since 1987), Certifed Diesel Tech and a Certifed Parts Specialist, and that's only the civilian side... Just fairly new to boats and don't want to spend $30+ on a service manual that I don't need right now just to get ignition specs.

So again, any and all help is appreciated! It just solidifies or adds to my knowledge base

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

Your right 5 days ago all I knew about boat motors is they needed to be sucking water or they will burn up! Now I know how to take carbs apart, make gaskets, unclog fuel lines/carbs, set points, file plugs, clear water out of fuel lines and learned names of several key motor caponents. The great part of it all is how it feels to take something from not running and get it up and going.

Thanks again!

P.S. I guess its ok to like Nebraska if u like shucking corn! LOL

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

Glad that I was able to help out in anyway. This board and an old Glenn's repair manual have given me the confidence to tackle just about anything that can go wrong with my old '69 70 hp. There is just SO much knowledge and experience here to take advantage of, it's almost unreal/illegal!

Now Smokn, this is a non-CFB board so I'll keep my rebuttal to your comments reagrding my beloved Cornhuskers to a minimum. I grew up on OU vs NU and am sorry to see the rivalry end, but I'm also very disappointed to see just what a toadie OU has become to Texas in the BIG XII hierarchy. Here's to a non-conference series between the schools in the near future. Love it when OU marches into Lincoln for a whuppin'.

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

LOL ... anyway thanks for all your help! I got it on the water to day and no matter what pich i set it at after so much throttle the motor raced and the boat slowed down. After looking at the forums it looks like it may be a spun prop? What do you think?

Re: 70 hp Chrysler No Spark

Glad to hear you got her on the water. From what you are describing I would suspect a spun prop hub. Good luck!