Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

[FD-18]

Is there an aftermarket upgrade to an Electronic Ignition for a 1964 Johnson FD-18, 18hp?

Getting ready to replace the coils and points.

Thanks

 

[lindy46]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

Not sure if there is a conversion available. FWIW, I would just replace the points, condensers, coils, plugs and wires. Very simple and reliable system that will last another 40+ years.

 

[FD-18]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

Not sure if there is a conversion available. FWIW, I would just replace the points, condensers, coils, plugs and wires. Very simple and reliable system that will last another 40+ years.

Thanks, after I got the flywheel off, and noticed all the ignition parts looked new, reset one set of points to .20, will check for spark later tonight. If spark is weak, will replace all.

Hub of shaft has word TOP with a small arrow to the right, is that arrow the high point where point gap should be set?

 

[AlTn]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

yes

 

[FD-18]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

yes

Thanks, gapped points to .020 and checked spark, lower plug wire now has good spark, upper plug wire none, will switch coils tomorrow. should isolate the problem. Either a bad coil or bad wire.

 

[FD-18]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

How is the coil removed? Does the wire to plug disconnect from coil? Have coil loose, but not sure how to pull wire off.

Thanks

 

[AlTn]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

the spike inside the coil that the plug wire fits onto is spiraled, so the plugwire "twists" into the coil...google..max wawrzyniak bringing a 1956 johnson 15 hp. back to life..parts 4 and 5 will cover your ignition...unsolicited advice, remove the magplate and repalce the plugwires, terminal ends, and plug boots..take pics of top and bottom of the armature plate ,note coil for no.1 cylinder is close to the carb < mark the coil and plugwire> for reassembly position...the 4 screws closest to the crank are all you'll have to remove to lift the armature plate off

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

If you want to go to electronic ignition you can. There is a guy by the name of Brian Miller, who sells a product called a "Nova II Electronic Transistorized Ignition Module." They replace the points and condensors in a magneto ignition system, with a single magnet in the flywheel.

I used a pair of them in a 1969 Johnson 6hp motor for a number of years, with good result. The only difference that I noticed between the electronic ignition and the standard points system, is that the motor didn't seem to idle as well.

It wasn't a matter of running rough, but that the motor wouldn't stay running at as low an rpm, as with the points. This may be, because Miller's components are sold to people who race lawn tractors (yes, people really do that) and they may be optimized for higher engine rpm.

I found the module to be very easy to install. They fit in the space intended for the points very nicely. From there, you just ground one wire and splice the other to the appropriate coil wire.

See the following link and scroll down, until you see the section for the Nova II units.

http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/a1elect.htm

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

You may not need to replace the coils, unless the insulation is cracked. You can probably do it justice, by replacing the wires, points and condensors. These are good coils, until the insulation goes bad. Usually, they loose contact at each end of the wires. You can re-gain a good contact by trimming a little off each end of the wire and re-connecting. Simple, simple.

 

[FD-18]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

Thanks, I found the plug, and will also check that site. Have very good spark on lower cylinder, have ordered new coil for upper cylinder, #1?, it is closest to carburetor. The new coil should fix cylinder 1 spark.

 

[FD-18]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

Thanks, when I get this running will try that electronic ignition, if I have any problems can always change back.

 

[FD-18]

Re: Electronic Ignition for 1964 Johnson FD-18? Any Available?

Thanks, I checked the plug wires first, they look new, and had good continuity, one plug has great spark, the other nothing. I think it is the coil, but will know for sure when the new coil is installed.

All the ignition parts looked new, hope it is just the coil.