1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

[Anthonyfasttwin]

Hey guys today I changed everything in the ignition system and still have a weak spark my new wires are connected correctly, points are clean set to .20 and everything seems to be installed correctly. Any Ideas do the magnets go bad in the flywheel????

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

How are you testing the spark? With a gap tester or by grounding them on the block?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

Well, after connecting the dots, as to both of your posts, it looks to me like your coils are dragging on the flywheel. You need to line the faces of your coils up perfectly with the machined surfaces on the coil mounting bosses.

 

[Anthonyfasttwin]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

Well, after connecting the dots, as to both of your posts, it looks to me like your coils are dragging on the flywheel. You need to line the faces of your coils up perfectly with the machined surfaces on the coil mounting bosses.

I took off the flywheel lined the up the plate does not move anymore but im still barly getting a spark on one cylinder and none on the other

 

[AlTn]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

new condensers?..did you screw the ignition wires into the new coils rather than push them onto the spikes?..google...bringing a 1956 johnson 15 hp. back to life...2 parts < 4 and 5, I think > on the ignition might help you determine if something is not quite right on reassembly

 

[Mas]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

...just checking...copper core plug wires?

Mas

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

It is possible that the magnets are weak in flywheel. The dealership I worked at many years ago had a remagnetizer and did several a year....

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

(Point Setting Of Magneto Models)
(J. Reeves)

Set the points as follows. Have the flywheel key aligned with the fiber rubbing portion of the ignition points. Adjust the gap so that a .020 gauge will pass thru but a .022 will not. Should there be any question of the points being dirty (touching the contact with your finger would cause them to be dirty), clean them with a small brush and acetone or lacquer thinner.

NOTE: Should the operating cam have a small portion on it with the word "SET" imprinted, align this portion with the fiber rubbing portion instead of the flywheel key.

(Magneto & Driver Coil Alignment)
(J. Reeves)

To align the coils properly, have the metal vertical portion of the coil yokes aligned with the inside edge of the bevel that exists on the top portion of the aluminum seat upon which the coils sit. This creates the proper distance between the coils and the flywheel magnets. Faulty alignment creats friction and the yokes of the coils heat up, turn blue and expand.

NOTE: Plug wire core must be steel/copper. You CANNOT use the carbon core type plug wire.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

Outboards made after WWII have Alnico magnets. They just never do go bad, unless severly abused. It woiuld take something like a blowtorch or demagnetizer to do it. In my 24 years as a full time outboard mechanic, I've never seen a bad Alnico magnet.

Yes, the iron magnets in pre-war motors did lose their magnetism and had to be re-done.

 

[Anthonyfasttwin]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

Thanks guys I have some work cut out for me I did not screw the wires in to the coils just pushed them in Im going to check there first. As soon as i figure it out Ill Post the problem. Thank yall for all the help and suggestions.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

yeah, you gotta twist them on to the posts to ensure proper contact with the coil post and copper wires; it's a small detail that can make a big difference. make sure you crimp on the new boots well also. This link may help too.

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...on 3 HP 1952-1967 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

 

[Anthonyfasttwin]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

Ok so I worked on screwed the wires in Put the flywheel back on. Now I noticed That Im only getting spark on low throttle settings when i turn the throttle all the way up I get no spark what did I do wrong?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

Hey guys today I changed everything in the ignition system and still have a weak spark my new wires are connected correctly, points are clean set to .20 and everything seems to be installed correctly. Any Ideas do the magnets go bad in the flywheel????

Hello again Anthony. I noticed you said you're points are set at ".20". They should be at .020" when the rocker arm of the points is on the "O" in the word "TOP", which is usually stamped on top of the crankshaft cam. Not sure if that was just a type-o, but if not, then that may be your problem. A .020" gap is much smaller than a .20" inch gap (by a factor of 10. Pesky decimals). Can you take a pic of your magneto plate as it is? That may help too. As you now know, these old ignitions are super simple and comprised of just a few basic parts, which makes trouble shooting pretty easy in the ling run. Don't give up. It's probably just something little at this point.

 

[AlTn]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

check the wires coming from underneath the flywheel that are attached to the "shorting switch"...these wires should be black...are there any worn spots in the insulation that could be shorting out the points as the armature plate moves?.. a bad connection in the knife connection to the shorting switch, etc?

 

[Anthonyfasttwin]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

Ok so After many hours of head scratching I finally figured out what the problem was. On the Arms of the points, the end where it touches the round magneto cam. When I put the flywheel on the first time the magneto cam was up because of the spring and when I pushed the flywheel down it messed up the ends of the Arms. I got a new set of points and it worked like a charm. Thanks for all the help guys It was my mess up

 

[AlTn]

Re: 1955 Fastwin Weak spark after new wires coils points????????

not the first that's happened to..lesson learned and thanks for replying as it may help someone else down the line