72 Johnson 6hp-Setting points - Please Help

[ichapica]

Guys...I need some help. I need to check and maybe set the points on my 72 6HP seahorse. Its a dog...I cleaned out the carb, (did not rebuild yet) checked spark, and all is good...other then it will not wind up all the way...seems way off. I am a total noob when it comes to motors

I am kind of strapped for cash...that is why I still have a 36 year old motor and a 38 year old aluminum boat. I asked around and every tech wants more then the motor is worth to work on it. The manual is a little expensive, and I wanted to see if it was possible to do it without one. I was wondering if someone would be kind enough to point me in the right direction.

Any one willing to get me some info on the steps needed to set the points.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

 

[JB]

Re: 72 Johnson 6hp-Setting points - Please Help

Bite the bullet and get a manual, Mike. Or borrow one from the library.

Anyone, particularly a noob, who tries to work on an outboard without a manual has a fool for a mechanic.

The manual will cost you less than 10 gallons of gas (not including oil) and probably save your butt many times that over time.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 72 Johnson 6hp-Setting points - Please Help

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

Set the points as follows. Have the flywheel key aligned with the fiber rubber 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.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 72 Johnson 6hp-Setting points - Please Help

Joe - I absolutely agree that your advice is per the factory specs, but I have a question that you might know .... my OMC dealer mechanic likes to set points on the old magneto motors at .022. He says the points tend to burn less at the larger gap.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 72 Johnson 6hp-Setting points - Please Help

Jay.... Your mechanic is wrong. What he is doing is changing the timing which can (and usually does) lead to pre-ignition, piston damage, etc.

 

[ichapica]

Re: 72 Johnson 6hp-Setting points - Please Help

Thanks guys...I guess I'll start looking for a manual ...

Seems like the best thing to do....

M

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 72 Johnson 6hp-Setting points - Please Help

this is what you need. http://www.iboats.com/Johnson_Outbo....393577--**********.346293747--view_id.440365