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40hp Johnson, no spark?

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:43 pm
by Sportspal
OK, so my new wife buys me this motor, well, she says, here's the $, go buy this one I found.......
Anyways, I couldn't get the thing to start, but notice a slice in a fuel line, so I replace all the fuel lines with new hoses.
I get in my boat, put the motor in a tub with water, give it a few pulls...nothing.
I'm getting lots of fuel, good air, and good compression in both cylinders. But, I'm damned if I get a spark. :(
I've checked both plugs...and they are in decent shape, but no spark.
I tried hooking a battery up to the starter on the motor, NOTHING. :evil: :?

Now, some people here at work are telling me my problem is the killswitch. :shock:
I spent an hour last night going over this motor with a fine tooth comb.....I can't find any sort of killswitch.... :oops: :shock: :cry:

I'm taking all offers of ADVICE or even help if someone is willing, payment is made with COLD BEER :wink: and a free offer of a fish in the boat once I get things running.

Its a late 70's 40hp Johnson
A million thanks in advance....I really need to get fishing!!!!! :P

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:48 pm
by BASSSTALKER

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:58 pm
by M.T. Livewell
Tiller or remote steering?

Any chance you could take a pic or 2, without the cowel on from different angles.

M.T. Livewell

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:06 pm
by blr1
Try this site www.maxrules.com

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:35 pm
by Sportspal
Its a remote steering, and I was given a set of controls for it as well.
I haven't even bothered to hook them all up yet, but thats this weekend's project.
The controls are from the 70's as well, and I do not see a killswitch on the controls.
I don't see a toggle or a push button either on the motor itself.

I'll take some pics and attempt to post them on here this tomorrow or friday.

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 10:16 pm
by lostchild
Sounds like a ignition coil problem or maybe a powerpack....just a guess! Keep us updated :wink:

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:02 pm
by Sportspal
OK, I've been had.
This mid-late 70's that I bought off of someone on this board, is actually a..........1961 according to this:
http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/ej_pdf ... hru_20.pdf

I'm not too impressed C*_*r.....

Anyways....Upon further investigation, I do in fact have spark, but the plugs are dry...and once I pulled out the plugs, i noticed the threads for the top cylinder are stripped, so I'll need to retap that...

The adventure continues.......

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:51 pm
by M.T. Livewell
Sportspal wrote:OK, I've been had.
This mid-late 70's that I bought off of someone on this board, is actually a..........1961 according to this:
http://www.maxrules.com/graphics/ej_pdf ... hru_20.pdf

I'm not too impressed C*_*r.....

Anyways....Upon further investigation, I do in fact have spark, but the plugs are dry...and once I pulled out the plugs, i noticed the threads for the top cylinder are stripped, so I'll need to retap that...

The adventure continues.......
*sigh*

Good luck buddy.

BTW, if you plugs are dry, you are aware you have a fuel delivery problem right? :?

M.T. Livewell

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:43 am
by Lunker Larry
Unless you're a collector, you might save yourself alot of grief and use it as an anchor.

seen this happen before..

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:09 am
by D-mo
A good buddy of mine has the same problem as you .. he bought a 1939 Evinrude Seizmatic from someone here ...hmmm ... makes you wonder eh?
d-mo

Re: seen this happen before..

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:12 am
by Markus
D-mo wrote:A good buddy of mine has the same problem as you .. he bought a 1939 Evinrude Seizmatic from someone here ...hmmm ... makes you wonder eh?
d-mo

Sure makes me wonder. Buy something new??? Or something from the 1930's???? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:34 am
by BASSSTALKER
Sportspal, I have a 1961 Evinrude 40 hp that I rebuilt. Same problem with mine last year. I changed the points,coils and plug wires just to be on the safe side.

Not trying to plug but Valley Marine on Bentley Ave. They can get you those old parts in a few days.


Just be carfull pulling off the fly wheel. some of the cast aluminum breaks easy :?

Pm if you need more.

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:00 pm
by steve-hamilton
wouldn't it somewhat beneficial to let us know WHO these board members are who are selling these items???

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:56 pm
by M.T. Livewell
steve-hamilton wrote:wouldn't it somewhat beneficial to let us know WHO these board members are who are selling these items???
Yes and no. It would depend on the condition of the sale.
If the seller could not confirm the condition of the motors when they left his hands, and the buyer is made aware of this ... well, then buyer beware.

If someone is selling snake oil, well ... :evil:

M.T. Livewell

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:19 pm
by Sportspal
I was told that this motor was running, but he had to squeeze the ball on the fuel tank to push the fuel through the motor, or it would stall out.
He told me that he thought the motor needed a new pump (told this when I went to pick it up, not on the phone).

So, I all in all, yes, I was told it was in running condition.
I was told it was 15 years newer than it is(sometimes hard to tell on an older machine).

So, 2 strikes right there.....
If anyone wants to know who this person is, they can PM me.
I will not slander his name accross the board regardless.