71 Johnson 60 hp only has spark spinning motor backwards

[Beerbrother]

1971 Johnson 60 horse power 3 cylinder 15 foot tri haul boat
I’ve been trying to get my boat going and it’ll crank good when I let off the key it try’s to start spinning backwards and try’s to start there’s no spark when cranking motor with starter has good spark if you turn motor by hand backwards all circuits seem good gone through the service manual steps I haven’t taken flywheel off yet this is the first time I’ve worked on boat motors
thanks for any help

 

[F_R]

Well, I'd guess the first step is pull the flywheel. Those things have finicky breaker points, and an anti-reverse cut-out ring that disintegrates from wear and lack of maintenance/lube. Your service manual should tell you how.

 

[Beerbrother]

Well the anti reverse spring was not pinned and was just floping around repinned it in place now it runs but I think I need distrubutor cap and wires since it’s sparking out of one wire and no spark out of the other

 

[jimmbo]

Joys of a 47 yr old motor.

" out of one wire and no spark out of the other"

Well that counts for 2 of the 3 cylinders