1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

[Steel 6]

I have a 1970 Johnson 85hp that has ignition problems. Upon looking for a "donor" motor for parts, I came across this ... looks to be altered using car ignition parts.

Has anyone ever seen this before? Does it work?

Thanks

 

[RichardNaugle]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

do you have any more pics of this and did they change the spark plugs to fit the coil and which posts do all the wires go to if you can get the info I'm gonna wire mine up like this and then i can let you know if it works thanks rick

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

Thats interesting, looks nothing like my '74.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

Just because something can be done, doesn't make it a real good idea. Most auto ignition systems are not up to living in a salt or marine environment long term.

 

[RichardNaugle]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

i don't know about where you live but up here in nova scotia just about every poor old boy is running a Chevy or gm car engine when there expensive marine gear goes south, with no problems,,for what it's worth it might not be right but it is economical..cheers

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

That it is.

 

[Steel 6]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

I believe what they did was find a coil wire that works. Says it has ran well ...

 

[bluestng]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

My 69 85hp has a car coil and works fine, was that way when I bought it. You need a coil, ballast resistor, and a capacitor.

 

[Steel 6]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

Bluestng - I sent you a private message ....

Could you send me a simple diagram of how yours is hooked up .. so I can compare.

 

[Steel 6]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

Well - I haven't heard back from Bluestng yet .... but this is what I have found ... You need a coil (internal resistor type), condensor and new coil wire.

I'm going to give this a try I guess. So we'll see what happens.

 

[RichardNaugle]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

am eageley awating the results of your trail and error before i go out and burn up my own boat lol good luck rick satnding by

 

[Steel 6]

What I know/learned - and the final outcome ...

What I know/learned - and the final outcome ...

Ok - Here is the story - take it as you will ...


Well - it works

I now have spark on every cylinder. However, I found out my rotor and wires are badly worn. The cap doesn't look very good either. So I went online (and to my local parts store) and checked for parts and found out most are not made anymore/available and what is available is rather expensive to say the least. Although, you can make your own plug wires for this engine and save a bundle.

Thus I think I am going to call it quits on this engine. I have found a 1977 Mercury 115 Inline 6 that runs great and looks good - for $350, so I'm going to go that route. I attached a pic of it - and no he didn't use it on that boat


So... thats what I found out ..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What I know/learned - and the final outcome ...

Re: What I know/learned - and the final outcome ...

you best check for parts availability on a merc that old.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

BTW, Mercury Marine is nothing like OMC/BRP when it come to parts for old motors. They stop making them way before BRP stops production.

 

[bluestng]

Re: 1970 Johnson 85hp Ignition - Have you ever seen this?

Sorry for the long wait, work has been crazy lately. The coil looks the same as the one from my 1987 Dodge Dakota. It is really cheap! Then you will need a ballast resistor and a capacitor. The extra wires are not hooked to anything, dont know much more about it but it does run like this.