"I assume that you're spea
"I assume that you're speaking of the older 3 cylinder 55hp Evinrude that incorporates Battery Capacitance Discharge Ignition. The powerpack would be a black box located on the port (left) rear portion of the powerhead.
What is the model number of the engine? We can determine the exact year etc by that number.
It is unlikely that the poor idle is due to a powerpack condition, but more likely due to misadjuted points or fouled or misadjusted carburetors. This is assuming that the engines compression and spark is as it should be.
Compression should be approximately 100+ psi and even on all cylinders. Is it?
Spark on that model should jump a 1/4" gap with a strong blue lightning like flame... a real SNAP! Does it?
(Point Setting Of Battery Capacitance Discharge
( Ignition Models - 1968 thru 1972)
(Some have points - Some do not)
(Joe Reeves)
The points must be set to .010 but no wider than .010..... BUT in some instances due to a possible slight inaccurately machined crankshaft lobe or a slight offset of one set of points, a setting slightly less than .010 would be required as follows.
Whether the crankshaft has two or three lobes, when setting the points, check the setting of the points on each individual lobe by rotating the crankshaft by hand.
You may find that setting one set of points to .010 on one lobe, then turning the crankshaft to the next lobe, the gap measures .011 or .012 (too wide). This is where you would need to close that gap down to the required .010. A gap too wide can result in a ignition miss when throttle is applied.
Bottom line, pertaining to the point setting at the various lobe locations____ .010, .010, .009, is okay____ .010, .010, .011 is not!
When time permits, visit my store at:
http://stores.ebay.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Parts-etc?refid=store
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(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.
When time permits, visit my store (copy/paste) at:
http://stores.ebay.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Parts-etc?refid=store
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(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.
When time permits, visit my store (copy/paste) at:
http://stores.ebay.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Parts-etc?refid=store"
