Ignition Advice

[sludgeguy68]

Been having trouble getting my first motor ('73 25hp rude) to idle slow, did carb rebuild, seafoam treatment, new plugs - compression is 105 & 111

Figured the points etc. might need replacing no matter what, so I pulled the flywheel. It looked a lot better under there than I thought it would! I think I should replace the points and condensers just in case, but wanted any opinions anyone might have just by looking at it

Thanks

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Ignition Advice

Ignition points and condensers can look brand new but still need replacing. Go ahead and change them out. Be carefull to set them correctly! I believe they need to be set at .020. Double check everything before you put the flywheel back on. You might also do a "link and synch" adjustment to. (that's a good motor, I have a '76 25hp that I just totally re-built)

 

[54fleetwin]

Re: Ignition Advice

Why does this engine only have 1 coil?

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Ignition Advice

That's a driver coil, there are two more coils mounted on the outside of the head.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Ignition Advice

They look fine to me, how is the quality of the spark. This is a low tension magneto, pretty bulletproof design. how is the link and sync, spot on?

 

[sludgeguy68]

Re: Ignition Advice

I should have done a proper spark test before I pulled the flywheel... only held it to the block to check. I guess I got antsy thinking it was the points.

I will do new condensers and points, yup .020 - although the manual calls for .022 for new points. Just checked with a feeler and one was way too close...

Also got a multimeter and will check the continuity on the driver coil and ignition coils.

Not all too sure what a link and sync entails - I adjusted the throttle cam follower to spec when I rebuilt the carb. The manual specifies the timing process with a timing light, but I don't have one. I'm hoping the same can be accomplished by gapping the points using the SET mark on the cam? Anything else?

Thanks so much

 

[boobie]

Re: Ignition Advice

Low tension at times can cause hypertension. Been there.

 

[sludgeguy68]

Re: Ignition Advice

Popped in the new points and condensers; I also figured it would be a good time to pull the powerhead off and replace the bad exhaust gasket while the flywheel was off.

Put everything back on, set the points using the markings on cam, and had a shop test the ignitions coils, which checked out OK. It pulled over on the first try last night - it never did that!

Was hard to start this morning, but eventually kicked over and I got it to idle lower than it ever had. Still runs a bit rough but I'm happy, can't wait to get it back on the water in the spring!