1970 Johnson 85 hp where to check trans fluid?

I just bought a 1971 Johnson 85 horse and don;t get any fire, was told to disconect the electronic system and install a automobile coil to replace the old system so I can get fire to my plugs. I did it and the motor runs, but now when I put it in forward or reverse the propeller doesnt run. First I need to check the trans fluid lever, but dont know where its at can some one help or give advice as to how I need to proceed.
thanks ted

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Did the guy that told you that ever do it himself? I have heard of a lot of attempts to do it and am still waiting for the first long term success report.

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

He runs a boat motor repairs shop and said he used to work on them years ago. I ask him if he would do it for me and said he wouldn't work on it, that there was to much in the wiring and eletronics that could go or be wrong. He told me how to do it but with out a diagram to look out I'm lost, this is my first boat motor I've ever worked on. I sure hope someone out there has converted it and can give me instructions and help.

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Well, if you insist, just go to the library and check out a vintage car repair manual. What these guys are telling you to do is use a car coil and add a condenser. Wire it up just like cars were before the advent of electronic igniton.

But the dwell angle of the points is wrong for a car coil. And the points are no longer made and the ones still around are expensive, so when you burn them up your situation becomes worse than it is now. But go ahead and try it if you want. I'm still waiting for a success report.

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

does anyone have pictures or a diagram of the motor to help get me started?
I really need a picture of the conversion.

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

help

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Well, as much as I want discourage you, since you are bent on doing it anyway here is how it is done.

Figure out how to mount a 12V car coil

Disconnect the amplifier purple wire from the terminal strip. Run a wire from that terminal strip screw to the (+) terminal on the car coil.

Disconnect the black&white wire going between the amplifier and points. Use that wire to connect the points to the coil (-) terminal.

Also, connect a condenser to that same (-) terminal. Condenser case must be grounded.

Connect the coil tower to the distributor cap with a spark wire. Existing coil wire is screwed into the distributor cap---don't just yank it out.

Good luck.

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

Re: looking for instructions for changing 1970 Johnson 85 hp to a coil system

If you do it, get a car coil that has a resistor on the primary circuit built into it, other wise you'll have to put an external resistor in the system If you have sucess making it run as long as you keep the voltage in the system down to 13.8 - 14.2 you shouldn't burn up those "expensevive points". If this mtr doesn't have a regulated charging system on it the points can get fried.