H. I. McDunnough
Regular Contributor
After dewinterizing and warming up my 1978 Mariner 40B (started right up), I gave it a little gas. It started getting some smoke. I gave it a little more and it cleared out. It did this last year, so I moved up to the next hotter plug. It helped a little. I pulled the plugs. Sure enough, they were oily and the bases were black (only black on one half of the #2).
I tested the spark; 3/8" on #2, but only 1/8" on #1. I replaced the spring clip in the boot on #1 (it had been reused before). Still tested bad. I tested the secondary coils; they seemed OK (the primary is new). I then pulled the flywheel. I tested the breaker points. They showed some resistance; one more than the other. I cleaned them with solvent and a business card. They are almost there; with in .1 to .3 ohms. I think I've found the problem, but I don't want to pull the flywheel again. Would you say it's good now? Should I file them first? I've heard that filing can ruin them. Or should I just replace them?
I'm also convinced that I have the timing retarded too far. Maybe that's why the oil is not burning all the way off. I'll see once I've addressed this issue.
I tested the spark; 3/8" on #2, but only 1/8" on #1. I replaced the spring clip in the boot on #1 (it had been reused before). Still tested bad. I tested the secondary coils; they seemed OK (the primary is new). I then pulled the flywheel. I tested the breaker points. They showed some resistance; one more than the other. I cleaned them with solvent and a business card. They are almost there; with in .1 to .3 ohms. I think I've found the problem, but I don't want to pull the flywheel again. Would you say it's good now? Should I file them first? I've heard that filing can ruin them. Or should I just replace them?
I'm also convinced that I have the timing retarded too far. Maybe that's why the oil is not burning all the way off. I'll see once I've addressed this issue.