1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

[erbrose]

Hey all, newbie to this forum and to outboards in general.. Just picked up a 1952 johnson 5hp (that doesn't run)...
the coils were shot, so just replaced them and still not seeing any spark... Any thoughts on what i should be checking next??? The plug wires seem sound, used emery cloth to sand the points too...
Thanks ahead of time...
Eric

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Emory cloth isnt good for the points, the grit gets embedded in there and causes all kinds of trouble. A points file, then cleaning with acetone is better. Points have to be spotless. Gapped to 020. They may be toast and you will need to replace them. They arent expensice, neither are the condensors.

Have a read here for testing the points and coil and leads.

http://www.pochefamily.org/outboard/Coils.htm

Let us know what you find

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Will do! ended up breaking a plug yesterday, so gotta wait til I get a replacement to get back to you.. kinda getting the feeling like this old motor is going to need alot work

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

alright, got new condensers and that did the trick, we have spark!!!!!
still wasn't seeing on fuel making it to the cylinders.. so took the carb off and the float was filled with grit.. soaking overnight and hoping that will clean it up... was reading in other forums about using leather(?) gaskets on these older motors? is this in fact the case? or can i just get a gasket kit from the autoparts store and make my own?
Thanks again for your input!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

I suppose this is a TN? If so, the leather gaskets are for the primer, they are the only things that seem to work if it is leaking while priming. There is a fellow on the aomci that sells them reasonably. I have 4 of these TNs now myself. They are a little finicky to say the least. The contact info for Lloyd is as follows:

Send $7.00 per set (cash only, no checks) and SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) to: Lloyd Lautner, 9289 North Long Lake Road, Traverse City, Michigan 49684

Here is a link that will help you with the carb

http://www.pochefamily.org/outboard/CarbService.html

...and a link for that ignition

http://hoodad.fortunecity.com/biglures-motors.html
http://www.pochefamily.org/outboard/

....if you get around to the water pump this will help

http://hoodad.fortunecity.com/tnlowerunit.html

Any other questions ask. I did my first time with them.

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Yea it is a TN-28.... Thank you so much for those links, specially the carb one!!!!
definitely made me realize that even though my cork is not all that bad off, it is definitely the cause of the debris i found in the float

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Reseal the float, but not too many coats. If it gets too heavy you will have issues. Dont ask me how I know this. Also be sure that the float pin aligns with the hole in the float cover plate. The high speed jet will get installed last. Back it out about 3/4 turns, and the low speed control 1 1/2 turns.

If you find you need any parts for this, pm me.

 

[TN-25]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Yea it is a TN-28.... Thank you so much for those links, specially the carb one!!!!

X 2 ! My TN was restored but obviously doesn't have the leather washers. You need 'em! Without the washers the carb will leak and the high speed adjustment dial will be too loose.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

You most likely can find those leather washers at Sea-Way Marine. They have a pretty nice collection of N.O.S. parts for the HD, TD and TN models. Since your motor is a 52, then it must have the later universal style ignition in it.

According to my service manual TN-27 (1951) and TN-28 (1952) are the universal type coils, so replacements will be available till the world ends. Points and condensors are the same as those used in twins and singles up into the mid 70's.

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

alright, carb cleaned out and back together.. primed 6 times.. pulled a bunch and got some back firing but not starting.. primed a bunch more then i think the float got stuck and gas just started pouring out the float top... tired from sailing all day and just going to wait til tomorrow and see if a new day makes it better...

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

hey 1946Zephyr...
you don't happen to have a scanned or digital copy of the manual for the T28 do you???

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

No, I'm sorry I don't. You might try sammo_ott. He most likely has the parts lists for that motor. He sent me one for an earlier HD-20 of mine.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

I have the TN-27, I believe they're real close.

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

I have the TN-27, I believe they're real close.

Sent you a private message.. thanks!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

What do you have the low speed/idle mixture screw set to?

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

What do you have the low speed/idle mixture screw set to?

i read somewhere that it is suppose to start of at 5/6 turn out.. took the carb apart again and the float pin was not aligned properly... it is now, but still the only thing we get is an occational backfire.. took a plug out and there is definitely fuel going into the cylinder and we still have spark.. have a friend that works on older motorbikes coming later this week to help debug...

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Compression?

 

[beagleboy]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Possible raw fuel has washed down the cylinder walls. Put a few drops of oil down plug hole, turn over by hand a few times, reinstall plugs and try to start. By the way this will lubricate possible stuck rings. This all goes hand and hand with compression as per post 17

 

[erbrose]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

Thanks, Compression check was next on the list of debugging!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1952 johnson 5hp no spark..

I think the low speed setting is 5/8 of a turn out, not 5/6. 5/8 is just a tad over 1/2 a turn out. 5/6 is over 3/4. If this setting is too far off, it will give you pllenty of problems. If you put oil in the cylinders and try starting it, you just magnified the problem. There should already be plenty of oil in the mix, if it's mixed properly. 16:1 is the correct mix.