I need help!!! 1969 johnson 55hp

transamjegs

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
24
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? ive re-wired it, fixed the controls, checked compression ,122 on all cylinders, finally got it to run, only 1 day, it ran good. took it to the lake today started up ,ran out to the middle of the lake, then it died and couldnt get it started back up.
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: I need help!!! 1969 johnson 55hp

Did it die like you were running out of gas... slowly losing more and more power until it finally stopped running, OR did it quit running like someone turned the key off?
 

transamjegs

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
24
Re: I need help!!! 1969 johnson 55hp

i ran this motor in the lake for 2 hours 2 weeks ago. first time ive gotten it to run. it ran good. thought i was home free.
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: I need help!!! 1969 johnson 55hp

like someone turned off the key

Remove the spark plugs, rig a spark tester whereas you can (on that model) set a 1/4" gap and crank the engine over. The spark should jump that gap with a strong blue lightning like flame... a real SNAP!

Let us know what you find. Also, the following may be of some interest to you.

(Point Setting Of Battery Capacitance Discharge)
( Ignition Models - 1968 thru 1972)
(Some have points - Some do not)
(Joe Reeves)

The points must be set to .010 but no wider than .010..... BUT in some instances due to a possible slight inaccurately machined crankshaft lobe or a slight offset of one set of points, a setting slightly less than .010 would be required as follows.

Whether the crankshaft has two or three lobes, when setting the points, check the setting of the points on each individual lobe by rotating the crankshaft by hand.

You may find that setting one set of points to .010 on one lobe, then turning the crankshaft to the next lobe, the gap measures .011 or .012 (too wide). This is where you would need to close that gap down to the required .010. A gap too wide can result in a ignition miss when throttle is applied.

Bottom line, pertaining to the point setting at the various lobe locations____ .010, .010, .009, is okay____ .010, .010, .011 is not!

********************
(Voltage Drop To Battery Capacitance Discharge)
( Pulsepack When Electric Starter Is Engaged)
(J. Reeves)

On the older Battery Capacitance Discharge ignition systems (1968-1972), the electric starter reaches a point, even with a top notch battery, whereas the starter will draw excess voltage/current/whatever which results in a voltage drop to the pulsepack. The cure is to purchase a diode which is capable of handling 12 volts and installing it between the starter terminal of the starter solenoid (NOT the battery cable terminal) and the wiring terminal that supplies voltage to the pulsepack.

The diode must be installed so that the current flows from the starter terminal of the solenoid to the pulsepack... NOT vice versa. When that diode is installed in this manner, when the key is turned to the start position, the voltage that is applied to the starter is also applied directly to the pulsepack via the diode effectively eliminating the voltage drop and energizing the pulsepack with the required voltage needed for its proper operation.

********************
(Battery Capacitance Dischage Powerpack Test)
Various OMC Engines - 1968 to 1972)
(J. Reeves)

Purchase a small 12v bulb at your local automotive parts store (the 12v bulb is to look like a flashlight bulb, not a headlight bulb). Solder two wires to that bulb, one to the side of the bulb (ground), and the other to the positive point. You might use a bulb of a somewhat lower voltage to obtain a brighter glow... just a suggestion.

Remove the spark plugs. With the key in the on position, make sure that you have 12v going to the pack at the terminal block (purple wire). Now, connect the ground wire from the bulb to any powerhead ground. Connect the wire from the positive point of that bulb to the powerpack wire that is connected to the coil wire on the terminal board (blue wire).

Crank the engine and observe that bulb closely (CLOSELY!). If that bulb glows even the slightest bit, the powerpack is okay. It may be a very dim glow... just so it glows! If it doesn't glow, the pack has failed.

Keep in mind, that type powerpack (Battery Capacitance Discharge) demands a top notch battery of at least 70 amp hours. Any less will, in time, cause powerpack failure.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,201
Re: I need help!!! 1969 johnson 55hp

If no spark, unbolt the coil and unscrew the spark wire from the distributor cap by rotating the whole coil & wire. Then remount the coil and connect the blue wire. Rig up a spark gap off the end of the coil's spark wire.

Unplug the black/white stripe wire between the amplifier and distributor cap.

Turn the ignition key on. Now momentarily touch the amplifier's black & white wire to ground. You should get a healthy spark off the spark wire each time. Or lightly brush the black wire across ground. You should get a flurry of sparks.

If you get those sparks, the power to the amplifier is ok, the amplifier is working, and the coil is working. Trouble is in the distributor cap, points, rotor, anti-reverse spring, etc.

BTW, the diode in the amplifier feed is ok for what it is meant for (hard starting), but will do nothing for a poorly or non running motor because the starter is not energized when the motor is running.

Your 55hp has "Battery CD Ignition", with breaker points and an amplifier. It is properly called an amplifier, not a pulse pack or power pack. Those are different animals. However a "pulse pack" works similarly but without breaker points.
 
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