No Spark on 71 evinrude 60hp

[jamuss]

Hi, I just bought a boat with a 1971 60hp evinrude, the motor was not running when I bought it. I have replaced the coil and still no spark. I think that the power amplifier is probably shot but how can I be sure? I bought a manual for this engine and everything seems to be connected correctly. Any info would be great! Thanks.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: No Spark on 71 evinrude 60hp

(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.

 

[TennRiverRat]

Re: No Spark on 71 evinrude 60hp

Hey, Jamuss. I just got done doing the conversion to Car coil, ballast and condenser, and my 60hp Johnson fired right up. If you want that idea, let me know and I'll pass along the info I have gotten off of this site, plus my own discoveries. New amps are $240 and this whole conversion was probably around $50. There may be other issues down the road on this conversion. Some have said that the points wear out quicker, others have said different positions on plug and points gap info, but nothing is an exact science with this. Seems like everyone is in the testing stages. There's a guy on here named schematic, and another named cletis234, and they may have more info since they have been tinkering with this longer than I have. I just got the motor turned over yesterday (I have a 71 60hp Johnson, so all this mess may or may not apply to the rude) At least, this will eliminate any problems with the coil/amp. The guy on here that actually did the conversion gave step by steps, and it worked exactly as he stated. I'm still experimenting with plug gap, timing, carb sync, etc. to get it to run smooth, but the guy I bought it from could not get this engine to run. Mine now runs, and just needs some fine tuning. I don't know how far the previous owner got into that stuff, but I'm bound and determined to get this motor going, and pass along the info to all on here. If you need a direct contact, my email address is clandestinerendezvous@comcast.net and I can send you the instructions and pics and all. At least if you do this, you will eliminate part of the problem. TennRiverRat

 

[MikeSTL]

Re: No Spark on 71 evinrude 60hp

Hello TennRiverRat....

Do you have any more info on the conversion? I have a 71 60hp also that has a bad amplifier, too, and a friend of mine who is a car nut said...just convert it to an automotive ignition system. He also said it would be cheap and easy.

Do you have a link to the step by step info on the conversion?

I would love to get this thing running before winter hits here in Missouri.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[derekrain]

Re: No Spark on 71 evinrude 60hp

same here but im stuck in almost 2ft snow lol but still tinkering on the old glasstron got the 71 60hp rude with wireless powerpak rotted right off hmm...

 

[cowboyrick7]

Re: No Spark on 71 evinrude 60hp

help me please i have a71 evenirude 60 hp .this thing is driving me nuts.ampilfire went out i peplace with car coil it fires off great getting gas points fire great but will not start are try to start.compression is 130 on all cylinders .what votage should be at the plugs and coil.i dont know what else to do