Johnson A-45 Mag Plate & Start Up

[T….in Wisconsin]

Mag plate has hot coil, new condenser, plug wires and plugs. Spark at plugs verified.

Has 60 psi in both cylinders.

Motor has started and ran on the bench and shut off after about 10 seconds.

Haven’t been able to start again when placed in the test tank.

What changed:

1. I connected the gas line and opened the petcock. Initially I had been just filling the carb bowl to get it to fire which it did.

I’ve roped it over 50+ times and do get it to pop but not run continually.

Points start to open when the timing marks are aligned on the mag plate and flywheel and the piston is at top of stroke.

Peering in the sparks plug holes the cylinders look quite wet….suggesting it’s flooding.

Could this be caused by the needle valve being open to far? Believe the setting is 1.5 turn out from closed position.

Requesting feedback.

T…in Wisconsin

[Tom]

If  you think it’s flooded, turn off the fuel valve below the tank, and close up the needle valve all the way.  Set the carb lever to run and the mag lever straight forward.  Rope it over 6 times or so and see if it fires.  If so, it was likely flooded.  If not, more investigation is needed.  If it does fire and burn out what was in the motor, try an initial setting of 3/4 turn open.

T

[T….in Wisconsin]

I’ll do that and report back.

Thanks Tom.

[The Boat House]

 

If it doesn’t fire as Tom suggests 60 lbs. compression would make it difficult to start. Stuck rings? Worn out? Tubs

[T….in Wisconsin]

It appears the motor is not firing consistently on the starboard side as evident by the fuel showing on the exhaust casting.  After numerous rope overs I detect warmth on the port side but not on the starboard.

I suspect the problem is at the coil tab to wire connection on the mag plate. As you know those interfaces rely on pressure against the tab.  A while back George E. sent me a few wire terminations he made for the Johnson “A’s”. I may now try. I had finished the mag plate prior to getting them.

Plugs:  I have D16 ordered D9.

Close, no cigar today!

[T….in Wisconsin]

Hello Tubs,

I believe my cheapo compression tester may be giving false readings,  I had simliar reading on my 23 A and Handitwin and they both run well.  I do need to get a better one.

Pistons grooves and rings were cleaned, lubed and free when reassembled.

T..

 

[The Boat House]

Clever. Ive never seen those before. My method is to stick a brass nail in the plug wire and (I believe) I used a piece of hose to replace the original rubber. Tubs

[T….in Wisconsin]

Redid the plug wire termination on the starboard side, spark at both plugs looks strong.
Firing on both cylinders now but will not run continuously.

Might the points be opening to late?

Gas: 91 octane @ 16/1.

Thoughts?

 

[The Boat House]

.

When the points open is determined by the position of the mag lever.  Watch the float pin to see if its dropping indicating that your running out of fuel. As soon as the motor stops try to turn the flywheel forward checking to see if its binding. How long is “not continuously”? Bad coils and condensers can fail as they heat up.  Tubs

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T....in Wisconsin

[T….in Wisconsin]

Good morning,

Given the coils, condenser & plugs are good.

Continous running is about 5 -7 seconds. It pops every time I rope it over.

Per Tom’s feedback & info I read from members of the Yankee chapter I’ve not been following the correct start-up procedure.

Below is the start-up procedure from Yankee Chapter

I assuming the start up procedure for an A-25 would also apply to an A-45

“The Johnson A, A-25 and many of the other early motors have only a single needle valve. Begin with this at 3/4 to 1 turn open from the lightly seated position and adjust it when the motor starts to the best running position. Once the fuel tap is turned on in a few seconds you should see the needle shaft rise out of the bowl cover. If the motor is cold you can tap the needle a couple of times to “splash” some raw gas into the carb to assist in starting – don’t over-do it, or you will flood the motor. Place the carb lever on “C” for choke and advance the magneto handle to the center of its travel (See the model ID photo above for the approximate location). If the motor does not start after 3 rapid tugs on the starter rope place the carb lever on “F” for fast and try 3 more tugs. If the motor still will not run then shut off the fuel tap and continue with 3-5 tugs on the starter rope – once the motor starts be sure to turn the fuel valve back on!”

Findings:

1. Motor is flooding
2. Plugs are wet when removed
3. Fuel is leaking out the muffler exhaust

Back at it this morning….

[Author]

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