waterwitch help

[justwannafish]

I have acquired a waterwitch 571-35 that was my grandfathers. I have good spark and getting fuel but can’t seem to get it to fire. I’ve cleaned out the carb and tank and compression is reading about 70 lbs. Would love to get it running for my boys to tinker around with on the water but can’t figure out why it won’t fire. Any ideas?

[fisherman6]

Are you checking spark with a spark plug or an open air spark tester? I just revivid a Champion Blue Ribbon 2J that showed good spark with the spark plug that was in it, but it wouldn’t fire under compression. I replaced the spark plug and that made all the difference.

Have you tired directly priming the cylinder with fuel mix or only tried staring by fueling thru the carb / intake manifold?
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[justwannafish]

Just checking with plug. I’ve tried priming with fuel and (shhh…..starting fluid….hate that stuff but desperate ).

[fisherman6]

I hate that stuff too and I resorted to it on my Champion out of desperation as well. It turned out the plug was my problem. Mine would not fire with the old plug priming with fuel either. New plug and it fired right off. Try checking the spark with an open air checker. Is the plug you are using an old plug or a new one?
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[fisherman6]

Also, when you primed with fuel, did you prime thru the spark plug hole and replace the plug, or thru the carb?
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[justwannafish]

I primed through the spark plug and replaced the plug. I just found out that my father in law replaced the plug today and tried it with no success. It had/has an H10 plug in it, not sure if that was correct?

[david-bartlett]

Is the poppet valve on the carb moving freely?

The magnetos on these are pretty good. Make sure the points are very clean. As for proper spark plug, mine has an old "Cross Country" in it that is probably worth more than the motor, but it runs.

[fisherman6]

I’m not sure what the correct plug is for that engine. Someone here will know. If it isn’t firing after priming the cylinder with fuel mix, dare i say there is not enough spark to fire. I would try an opennair spark tester. You really should have a spark that will jump at least a 1/4" gap in open air for the ignition to be able to reliably fire a plug gap under compression in fuel/air mix. It should fire with 70psi compression as long as the ignition is up to snuff.
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[justwannafish]

Thanks for the replies Ben….I’ll keep working on it. Will have to pick up an open air tester. David, not sure about poppet valves, kind if new at this. Can you explain?

[david-bartlett]

Check this picture. My finger is pointing at the nut on the bottom of the poppet valve.

It should move freely when you push up on it.

---

Attachments:

[Author]

Posts