Johnson Coil

twebb101

Recruit
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
1
Hey all -

I am coming into a Johnson outboard motor, 75 hp, model #: V4S-14B. I have 2 questions regarding this: 1) what year is this motor? and 2) How much are replacement coils? The man I am buying this from says that the motor will "pop" but won't run, due to a bad coil. Any information you can give me on this would be greatly appreciated, as I am new to being a boat-owner. Thanks!
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: Johnson Coil

V4S14B is a 1962 75hp Johnson. It could be either electric or mechanical shift, does it have a gearshift handle on the starboard side of the engine?

Before assuming the coil is bad..... remove spark plugs, rig a spark tester with a 3/8" gap, then crank the engine over and test for spark. If you have a good strong blue lightning like flame.... a real SNAP, the coil is good.

Type of coil? Look at the distributor at the rear of the engine. If the plug wires exit the distributor at the top side area, you have automotive ignition. If the plug wires exit the distributor straight down, you have magneto ignition.
 

HighTrim

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
10,486
Re: Johnson Coil

That popping or backfiring is not usually due to a bad coil. It still may have a bad coil mind you, but there may be more than 1 problem.

Is the "pop" a loud backfire, like a shotgun going off, or a more mild backfire, like a cough. Let us know.

Bring a compression gauge with you and test before buying. I have run into many a scum bag out there that tries to pawn off lemons saying all they need is a coil to run. Must be a line in the scumbag handbook :)
 
Top