Clinton Engine, no spark

[C-121uk 183]

Hi, I recently bought a Clinton engine for my RJ 58 but it has no spark. We have removed the flywheel, what shall we do next. Thanks 

 

 

 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

Garry

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Clean the magnets in the flywheel, clean the coil, clean the points, replace the condenser, check the air gap and hope for the best!

I did all this and still had erratic spark on a Clinton....Come to the conclusion the magnets had lost their strength!

[wallfish 16,995]

Remove this points cover and clean the points contacts or replace them, might as well replace that condenser and clean up all the wire connections while you're in there.

 

[lynnmor 7,305]

46 minutes ago, KC9KAS said:

 

I did all this and still had erratic spark on a Clinton....Come to the conclusion the magnets had lost their strength!

 

There is some information and videos on how to recharge flywheel magnets on the internet.  A long time ago, there was a company in my area that did that work, but they are long gone.  Does anyone know of a place that still can recharge magnets?

[wallfish 16,995]

10 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Does anyone know of a place that still can recharge magnets?

Ebay and Craigslist

Probably why those places like that are now out of business because it's so much easier and maybe cheaper to just find a replacement with good magnets.

Same fate happened to those places which used to rewind coils ect. ect.

[W9JAB 156]

Was this "engine" being used as a boat anchor?

 

[wallfish 16,995]

5 minutes ago, W9JAB said:

Was this "engine" being used as a boat anchor?

 

HA, does appear so doesn't it.

Those poor guys across the pond have it tough when dealing with American engines but it's nice to see they're up to the challenge of turning boat anchors back into horse power

[woodchuckfarmer 333]

It is a little crusty around the edges.

[lynnmor 7,305]

5 hours ago, wallfish said:

Ebay and Craigslist

Probably why those places like that are now out of business because it's so much easier and maybe cheaper to just find a replacement with good magnets.

Same fate happened to those places which used to rewind coils ect. ect.

 

I asked the question because there are some antique parts that are next to impossible to find.  The last time I needed magnets recharged was on a very old outboard.  So the question remains; does anyone know of a place that provides the service?

[C-121uk 183]

On 25/02/2017 at 2:36 PM, wallfish said:

Ebay and Craigslist

Probably why those places like that are now out of business because it's so much easier and maybe cheaper to just find a replacement with good magnets.

Same fate happened to those places which used to rewind coils ect. ect.

 

Unfortunately these engines aren't very common in the UK.

 

On 25/02/2017 at 2:51 PM, W9JAB said:

Was this "engine" being used as a boat anchor?

 

 

Quite possibly haha, the rust is not as bad as it looks though.

 

On 25/02/2017 at 3:02 PM, wallfish said:

HA, does appear so doesn't it.

Those poor guys across the pond have it tough when dealing with American engines but it's nice to see they're up to the challenge of turning boat anchors back into horse power

 

Thanks!

 

Cleaned and set the points but still no luck, Going to buy a new condenser first and see what happens. 

 

 

[PSully 61]

A friend has an old Briggs 18hp on an old Simplicity. He wasn't happy with the spark, so he did away with the internal coil, and bolted a Ford coil to the engine. He gets great spark now, and the engine starts easier than it ever did. He put the condenser outside too. Of course if you want to keep the engine as a clean restoration, you may not want to do this.

I think it's great that you are working on that engine. I recently took on an old Kohler myself which was in about the same condition. It is now ready to go on a C-81 as soon as it is painted.

[meadowfield 2,570]

If the condenser doesn't help, I might try a kohler coil and 12V externally just to see if it runs. That will at least tell us if it's a pup!