Johnson K35 Points – Does this set of points look complete?

[John Gragg]

So I’m working on a K35 for a friend. He wants to try to get it started. It is in a few pieces, with the flywheel, fuel tank, magneto and carburetor in a box.

My first move was to take a look at the mag, coil and points. I can’t get any numbers out of the coil. Pretty sure I’m not testing it correctly? Can anyone help with that procedure?

Also – The points are showing continuity at all times. Open or closed, I get continuity across both sides of the points. Is this normal?

In the pic I have attached I have the pen pointed at the pivot point of the cam side of the points. Is that shaft where the points pivot supposed to have an isolator or something on it?

Als0 – See that short wire screwed into the base of the points? What’s up with that? 100% redundant. From ground to ground? No use for that, correct? Should there be anything else there?

 

Thanks!

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[Waunnaboat]

I think those style coils you need to check for continuity between the two plug wires?  the coil looks shot anyway.

"Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

1 user thanked author for this post.

John Gragg

[John Gragg]

Okay that confirms that I guess. Because that’s what I read online as well. I’m getting nothing. What is it that makes you say it shot all of the black gunk in the recessed well in front and side of the coil?

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[John Gragg]

Sorry I sent my reply to everybody instead of you. Can you let me know what it is you’re seeing that makes you say that the coil is shot? Probably all of the black Gunk that’s in front and to the side of the coil? Thank you appreciate it

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[Buccaneer]

The sparkplug wire to coil connections may be corroded.
Remove the plug wires, clean the coil contacts, and retest
between the two secondary contacts.

The points will test grounded even when open if the condenser and
primary coil wire is still connected to the points, as the coil is
grounded to the mag plate as well.

Prepare to be boarded!

[John Gragg]

Yes, everything was isolated from the points. Coil wire, kill wire and condenser wires were all removed.

 

Your message got me thinking so I actually removed the points from the mag plate. The insulator between the cam side and stationary side of the points was in the wrong spot.

Got it!

Coil is not cooperating. There are two plastic screw plugs at where the plug wires go up into the mag plate. The will unscrew, but the wires are buried in there and they don’t want to come out easily. Even worse, someone has added a bunch of electrical tape to both the wires so very little is accessible.\

Anyone have any ideas about getting ahold of a coil. (Yea, I know. Really dumb question, but I had to ask…)

Thanks all,

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[Waunnaboat]

The black tar was indeed what made me think the coil was shot, compounded with the readout.  Coils that old are probably bad most of the time from what I’ve heard….but I’ve had some decent luck with pre-1940 motors.  you probably have to do a coil conversion, and to answer the inevitable question, I do not have any knowledge to help.  I’ve done one conversion on a 1940 Evinrude and I still don’t understand how the electricals work even though it was successful through advice via this club.

"Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

1 user thanked author for this post.

John Gragg

[Tubs]

 

Those Sparkplug screw plugs are bakelite and break easily. This makes them hard to replace. Finger tight only. The plug wires are taped up because the insulation on them is rotten. There could also be a break in one wire which would give you an open reading. The plug wires at the coil are surround by the black gunk. They are junk and need to be replaced no matter what. Good or bad the coil has to come out. Then you can test the coil, at the coil.  A heat gun will soften the tar. These coils are rarely bad but a used replacement shouldn’t be hard to find if you do need one. Modifying a later coil may also be possible.    

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

2 users thanked author for this post.

John Gragg, Shear Pin

[Tom]

In my experience, the early Johnson coils are rarely bad. Don’t assume yours is bad until you get the wires removed and test directly across the two tabs that contact the wires when they are installed.

Tom

2 users thanked author for this post.

John Gragg, Shear Pin

[John Gragg]

Once I get the coil out assuming I put it back in does the coil need to be bedded in more tar? And if so does anybody know where to get some for this process?

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[Author]

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