HELP!!! Merc 165hp

[snownut800]

Hey all,
New to this site and boating.....sort of. Anyway I just bought a 71 caravelle with a 165 mercruiser in it. I got it home and now spark!!!! I checked the plugs nothing, then pulled the lead off the coil an nothing there either. So I assumed bad coil, and ordered one off this site and replaced today. STILL NOTHING!!!!!!!! I did find a little breaker fuse but it wasnt popped out. Where else would I lose my spark??? I mean other than timing?? Is there somewhere else to look? The guy I bought it from said clean the points but if there isnt spark coming from the coil then that's pointless right??? I've worked on plent of cars and sleds but first boat. I have a 73 stang so I thought I knew about points but maybe I'm missing something?? HELP!!!!!!!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: HELP!!! Merc 165hp

The guy I bought it from said clean the points but if there isnt spark coming from the coil then that's pointless right???

wrong. replace them. the points are the switch for the primary circuit of the coil. when the points are closed the primary circuit is energized. when the points open the magnetic field in the primary circuit of the coil collapses, thus inducing voltage into the secondary windings of the coil. at a much higher voltage. this is what makes the spark plugs fire..
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430 look at #17 and #18. specially #18..

cleaning the points with some emery cloth will suffice for a start to see it that's the problem. but imho, they are a yearly replacement item..

 

[snownut800]

Re: HELP!!! Merc 165hp

Thanks for the link!! It should prove very helpfull. I have read some other post and realized I was wrong about the coil providing the spark to the distributor. My points look new but I plan to clean an check them anyhow. replace them when I get it all figured out. THANKS AGAIN!!!