Johnson RD-14.....Timing??

[mattinglyt]

OK, I've checked just about everything that I can on my motor and it all seems to be checking out, except I cannot get it started. Only thing that comes to mind is when I removed the flywheel and the plate that the coils get to so I could move the plug wires, the mounting plate for it might not have gotten back into the exact spot.

Not sure if that's clear enough. When I lifted the plate that the coils mount too and took out the four mounting screws, does that plate that rotates have anything to do w/ timing of the engine? I thought I put it back together the way it came apart, but I could have gotten it a bolt hole or two off. There is multiple bolt holes and I just lined it up to the holes w/ the marks on it from the bolts.

If it is timing, how do I get it set correctly on this engine?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Johnson RD-14.....Timing??

There is only one way to correctly time your RD...align the notch in the flywheel hub with the woodruff key on the crankshaft. The flywheel/crank press together and the key keeps them tight together. The throttle cam needs to be facing front of course. Did you get the plug wires back on right? One wire should have a little band that says Top...if not, the forward-most coil fires the top plug.

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson RD-14.....Timing??

There is only one way to correctly time your RD...align the notch in the flywheel hub with the woodruff key on the crankshaft. The flywheel/crank press together and the key keeps them tight together. The throttle cam needs to be facing front of course. Did you get the plug wires back on right? One wire should have a little band that says Top...if not, the forward-most coil fires the top plug.

To expand on what was just correctly said, the armature plate (correct name for the plate that the coils mount on) rotates back and forth with the throttle to control the spark advance at different speeds. You can only put it on the right way.

 

[mattinglyt]

Re: Johnson RD-14.....Timing??

Thank you gentleman, I'll have to look elsewhere then. I'm sure the plug wires are on correctly, I marked them and rechecked them from my research here. I've got spark, but it seems faint.

When I took the flywheel off, I noticed the black wires on the coils were rubbed through. Is it possible that they grounded out and maybe damaged the coils? It looks as though the coils, points and condensor and such are new, but the plug wires don't look new. Should I get new plug wires and start there?

Thank you for your help.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Johnson RD-14.....Timing??

just because the coils "look new" doesn't necessarily mean that it is. if you are getting a faint spark, the problem likely lies in the ignition system. you didn't mention whether you replaced coils, points, and condensers. btw, how long has the motor been sitting? I'm assuming you attained the motor recently.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Johnson RD-14.....Timing??

Replace the plug wires with solid-wire core wires from a small engine shop. Replacing the coils/points/condensors won't be too pricey. If the coils have been discharging/grounding through a bad wire, they could be damaged by now.