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1963 40hp coil question

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fillupd

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Pictures of coil installation. The first picture is how I found them. This motor has been sitting for almost 30 years. I installed the new coils and points. There was a green wire that I connected to the points screw, I wasn't exactly sure where it went because I couldn't remember it or see it in the first picture.
I rotated the shaft and set the points at .020. I believe I did this ok, this is my first time with this type of electrical shifting motor.

I had to rebuild the starter and cleaned the carb so far. I have a water pump impeller that I got here with the other parts that needs installed yet.
I'm kind of beginning to wonder if it is going to worth the effort of I can't get any spark. I would think that after replacing the coils and points/condenser it would at least throw a spark. My throttle cable is shot but I can move the mechanism at the motor to get it to turnover. I'm thinking the generator might be in the same condition as the starter and plan on getting that checked out.

Is there something obvious I am missing.

I didn't go through all the pre-testing of points like the manual says, I read that part trying to trouble shoot. (backwards thinking I guess)
 

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I've also seen some pictures where the coil ground wire goes on the other side of the coil but the parts breakdown on here shows it this way and the way it originally was.
 
I, personally, have always put the coil ground wire exactly as you have them pictured.

There is a slight bevel on top of the aluminum post that the coils sit upon.... The vertical metal portion of the coils should align with the inside portion of that bevel to create the proper distance from the flywheel magnets.

To set the points properly... have the fiber rubbing portion of the points aligned with the flywheel key, then set the points so that a .020 gauge will slide thru but a .022 will not. That'll get it so close to factory specs that one couldn't tell the difference.

Now, that engine should have spark. Let us know what you find.
 
Thanks for the help! I set the points on what looked like the high side, probably about where it is in the picture. I think I'll pull the flywheel off again and check it out and do it as you suggested, Taking the flywheel off the second time should be easier than the first, probably without having to drill out a broken bolt anyway, I at least learned one lesson.
Maybe the points didn't get set correctly. If I can get spark, I have a rebuild kit for the fuel pump too. I think I'm hitting a good portion of the bases in wakeing this motor up.This is on a 1963 Crestliner that I bought to restore and I really want to get this going. Kind of cool thing is I have the original receipt for the boat and engine from the Crestliner factory in MN.
 
Post close-up picture of the " u-shaoed " clip on the points return spring.-----Have you done a compression test on this motor?----Have you confirmed that the lower unit shifts into forward and reverse.----Have you looked at the pistons / rings by removing the 2 bypass covers ?
 
Even new points need to be cleaned. The often have an invisible coating on the contacts that won't pass electricity through. Tuck those ground wires back away from the flywheel or the flywheel will rub through them.
 
fdrgator said:
Even new points need to be cleaned. The often have an invisible coating on the contacts that won't pass electricity through. Tuck those ground wires back away from the flywheel or the flywheel will rub through them.
Click to expand...

Yeah, absolutely... missed that. That one ground wire is right in the way too.

I assume that you know that the flywheel nut absolutely needs to be torqued to 105 foot pounds... but it's worth mentioning.
 
Thanks, I'll try to get this things done tomorrow. I knew about the flywheel torque but thanks. I flew off a ladder the first time I tried to torque it. One more lesson learned. At least this is a learning experience. I'm going to try to get the voltage test on the blue and green wire done for the prop spinning,clutch engagement stuff too. I would really like to get the spark figured out, that's my biggest worry and I think I will be a lot closer and confident with your suggestions. Thanks guys.
 
You really shouldn't torque flywheel fully until you are sure of your spark and have a good 1/4 to 5/16 hot snappy blue/white crackling spark..... the kind you are afraid to hold with your hand.....
Does that green wire lead to something that could be grounded out? if so, it will, of course, foil your spark. Joe, do you think I haven't done that too? I have spun them over directly at the solenoid and forgotten to turn on the key. Dah! Never did drugs either, only an occasional Hamm's Beer.
 
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I thought about the torque on the flywheel this morning thinking about taking it back off and then a light went off and I thought just what you said about not torquing that down too tight until I was done. Maybe I can chalk it up to good practice.
The green wire comes from the coil and I assumed it connected to the points connection screw with the condenser wire. I really don’t remember where that one went when I removed the old ones but it was tucked up under the old coil so it looked like that is where it went.
I will make sure to tuck those ground wires out of the way; Thanks for noticing that.
 
Thanks everyone that helped me out here. I got the wires tucked away, .020 at the keyway for each set of points. Put it all back together and got spark on both wires! Yeah!!! The generator looked like brand new inside too. Although I need a new cable, it worked well enough to test out the shifting and check rotation/lockup. Worked OK.
I am going to tackle the water pump next before the fuel system but now I can move along a little easier knowing that at least there is one part of the puzzle to get this running completed.
I can't say enough about how much I appreciate the suggestions and guidance I have been fortunate enough to get here. Not only in this post but I have browsed through many now and learn more all the time. I see the same names popping up that are helping people with good sound advice, you guys know who you are and are Awesome!
Thanks again.
 
We are all glad to help, especially those who appreciate it. Joe, Racer, and Gator are rock solid dudes. I think between the 3 of them we are talking over 150 years experience.
 
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