Fat 50

[57whitehouse]

I have what I believe is a 1959 fat 50. Model V4S-11. Serial number 1831512. Just got it out of a barn sitting probably 25-35 years. It’s sitting on a Fleetform boat.
Anyway it spins great with its electric start but has no spark. There is a single wire going into the distributor which has what appears to be an insulator at the entry point to said distributor. Should I be getting a voltage reading at that wire?

 

[Scott Danforth]

read the stickies on reviving an old outboard. you will need to clean the points

 

[57whitehouse]

[No message]

 

[gm280]

There are so many reason for no spark. I suggest you try reading the stickies and then ask question that you still have on here. It is easier that way then trying to go over every possibility first. JMHO

 

[57whitehouse]

I don’t see a search option for stickies.

 

[Scott Danforth]

go to the top of the forum. the first few threads are "stuck" those are the stickies

 

[racerone]

One thing for sure.------DO NOT apply voltage to any ignition / spark wires.-------The magneto produces spark without the use of a 12 volt battery !

 

[Chris1956]

That motor will have 2 sets of points a single condenser and a single coil. Pull the dist. cap off and check for spark at the brass button on the coil. Remove the timing belt, clean and set the points to .020 and spin the dist. pulley to check for spark. She will really put out a wallop, just by hand spinning, if the magneto is working properly.

Usually the condensers go bad, but check the coil for cracks in the plastic. If so, hold onto your butt when looking at the cost of the replacement coil.

 

[F_R]

That wire is the connection between the coil and points/condenser. The second wire is the kill wire going to the ignition switch to stop the motor when switched off. The wire terminals, as well as the screw, nuts, etc all need to be cleaned shiny bright in order to pass electricity with no resistance. Obviously, the fiber insulators must be in place to prevent shorting out to the case.

No different than any other magneto: Coil, points, & condenser must be in good condition.

Best to remove the distributor cap and check for spark at the coil while rotating the pulley by hand, about one rev per second. Once you are satisfied with the spark, install dist cap and check for spark at the plug wires.

Make sure you understand the timing and sync before taking anything apart.

 

[57whitehouse]

i did take the distributor cover off and the coil is crumbling. If, the coil is directly up inside where the spring from the cover touches.

 

[racerone]

Owch-----That coil is shot and expensive to replace with new.-----Might find one on ---E-bay.

 

[F_R]

Coil is part number 580243. Good luck in your search.

 

[racerone]

Lots on E-bay----$22 and up.

 

[57whitehouse]

I didn’t see any on eBay for $22. I did see several for $74 and up.

 

[57whitehouse]

Is this a 1959 or 1969 motor?

 

[F_R]

It is a 1959. I saw a used one on e-bay for $22.90. Also a new one for $25.51 (Location: Cyprus. But hey, the shipping isn't that bad).

 

[racerone]

Only marketed in 58 and 59 ----Yours is a 59-----Well I saw the $22 coil about an hr ago !!

 

[F_R]

True, the 50 was only 1958-9. But the magneto continued in other horsepower versions until around 1967 or thereabouts.

 

[boobie]

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[boobie]

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