:( Evinrude 1967 60hp no spark

[Chuck Whittern]

My 1967 Evinrude 60 hp v-4 has been running like a champ, but last time out we stopped to try fishing in one more spot. Engine started, sputtered and coughed and would not fire again at all. Switching tanks and attempting to start with primer bulb squeezed did not help - no firing at all. Poured a little gas into carbs - nothing... <br /><br />Engine has new dist. cap, rotor, plug wires, plugs, gas hoses, and was running fine. <br /><br />I have checked the safety switch - OK. <br /><br />Checked all wiring and connections - seem OK <br /><br />Checked point gaps - Set to .020 as per manual. <br /><br />Spark tester shows no spark at all... <br /><br />This engine has a magneto (no external coil), even though my 67 Evinrude Service Manual shows a coil and distributor in its pictures. <br /><br />Is there some way to test the magneto? <br /><br />Any ideas what this could be??? <br /><br />Thanks in advance! <br /><br />Sincerely, <br /><br />Chuck Whittern <br />Hudson MI <br /><br />cwhittern@dmci.net

 

[JB]

Re: Evinrude 1967 60hp no spark

Hey, Chuck. This is a rough guess-test but it works most of the time. Get an ohmmeter and measure from the points to ground with the points open. You should get just a few ohms. That is your "coil" primary winding. Measure from the coil high voltage side to ground. It should be higher than the primary winding, but not open (infinite resistance). <br />Disconnect the condenser and measure from the wire to the case. Should read infinite ohms.<br /><br />Your problem is more likely to be a short in your "ignition" switch (unless that is what you meant by the safety switch, rather the the neutral lockout switch). On mag-fired engines your key switch turns the engine off by grounding the mag and preventing spark. Find the wire that does that and disconnect it. See if you can get a spark. The engine may fire up, so be prepared to kill it by choking.<br /><br />That's what I can think of right now. Check it out and get back to us.<br /><br />Good luck.<br />JB