Johnson FD 22 Number one spark plug not firing

[markpatty72]

Engine was running on number two cylinder. Checked Number one cylinder spark plug. No spark.
Removed flywheel and replaced spark plug, spark plug wire, points, condenser, and coil. Set points to .020. Align the coil exactly. Installed flywheel. No fire at plug. Remove Wire from cut out switch. Still no spark. Old coil and new coil test OK. Any Ideas appreciated.

 

[Abassed]

is the spark plug gapped at .03? I've heard of spark plugs not firing because the gap is way to small or large

 

[jimmbo]

Engine was running on number two cylinder. Checked Number one cylinder spark plug. No spark.
Removed flywheel and replaced spark plug, spark plug wire, points, condenser, and coil. Set points to .020. Align the coil exactly. Installed flywheel. No fire at plug. Remove Wire from cut out switch. Still no spark. Old coil and new coil test OK. Any Ideas appreciated.

Recheck the circuit for miswiring, a ground, or an open

 

[racerone]

Did you have the magneto plate off the motor to install the coil and to thread the wire into the coil, yes or no ?-----Were the points clean ?---Even new points may need to be cleaned to get rid of oxide.

 

[kbait]

Did you test plug wire for continuity from plug boot to end of wire that screws into coil? Spring in boot may not be connected to wire..

 

[Tim Frank]

1. "No fire"..... at either plug now?
2. How did you connect HT wire at coil?

 

[Chinewalker]

Are your new plug wires metallic core?
Are points CLEAN?
Try swapping parts to test - one pair at a time.

 

[markpatty72]

Thank you for all the replies. I did check everything suggested. I used carbon cord plug wires. Should I change them?
I finally have spark at both plugs. I did swap coil number two to the number one position, lined coil “ears” up exactly with the machined surface on The mounting block and I got spark. Left that coil in number one position and put new coil in number two position. No spark at number two. Then I remembered distance to the magnet on the fly wheel was critical and since the new coil is not as large as the old coil, maybe that was a problem.So positioned the new coil now in position number two slightly past the machined area on the mounting block where the coil “ears” are attached in order to put it closer to the fly wheel magnet. I tested it to make sure the coil did not drag on the flywheel magnet. I now have spark had both plugs. Strange.
To sum that up, Originally, the larger coil was in position number two that had spark. Now it is in position number one and the new coil is in position number two and I have spark and both plugs.
A little progress but engine will not start so points must be off. I read where the points were initially to be set to .020 and then set them more accurately with an ohmmeter. I set the points with an ohm meter. I checked the point gap and it is closer to .030 than .020. Any info on correct point setting for a FD22M Would be appreciated.
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[markpatty72]

There are two indented marks on the brass throttle control cam. What are they used for?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

I think you need metal core spark plug leads...The marks on the throttle cam are for setting timing between the carb and ignition..The throttle plate is suppose to start to open when the cam roller is between those marks...

 

[markpatty72]

Thank you hardwater For the info on the throttle plate cam.
Correction on the difference in coil sizes. The coil winding housing is the same size. The difference in size is the width and height of the metal coil “ears”.

 

[Chinewalker]

You MUST use metallic core plug wires. It wil not run with carbon core wire.

 

[markpatty72]

Thank you Chinewalker.
Just attempted a start. No dice.
If there is fuel, spark and correctly timed should it at least fire off?
automotive stores around here do not carry metal core wire so will order metal core wire.

 

[markpatty72]

Installed metal core spark plug wires. Tested for spark and both plugs have spark. Attempted start. No dice.
I have set the points with the points rubbing block where the cam says top. No start. I read that the word “top” on the cam is not where you set your points so I have set them using an ohm meter. No start.
I would appreciate it if someone can point me to the correct way to set points.

 

[Tim Frank]

how are you testing spark?

 

[Chinewalker]

Align the cam rider with the key way of the crankshaft to set points.

 

[markpatty72]

Grounding the spark plug and spinning the fly wheel. I get Should I buy a spark plug gizmo that test how far the spark jumps?

 

[tomhath]

Any chance you mixed up the plug wires when you swapped the coils? Try switching the wires at the plugs.

 

[markpatty72]

Last post posted before I finished. I get good spark at the plugs.

 

[markpatty72]

Thank you for the suggestion. I have been guilty of such a switch so I marked #1 wire when I installed it and I traced the wire from the front coil to the #1 cylinder.
Since the coil I bought from Amazon didn’t seem right having to move it slightly past the machined area on the mounting block to get a spark and was as cheaply built as possible, I tossed it and ordered one from Sierra that appeared better built. I suspect they’re all built in China but maybe it is better.
if nothing else, I sure learned how to take apart the electrical system and reinstall it pretty quickly.