Converting c.1960 OMC Outboard to Capacitor Discharge Ignition

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Author Topic:   Converting c.1960 OMC Outboard to Capacitor Discharge Ignition

wads99 posted 09-06-2010 01:21 AM ET (US)
Is it possible to convert from [breaker] points to [Capacitor Discharge] Ignition for late 1960's to late 1970's Johnson 20-HP?
adlert posted 09-07-2010 12:03 PM ET (US)
Completely converting to a true solid state magneto CD system as found in later years would be very difficult, probably essentially not doable for that engine. If however you simply are tired of dealing with points and condensers there is (or at least used to be) a relatively inexpensive kit available to replace these items with solid state components.
Hunk posted 09-07-2010 08:49 PM ET (US)
Yes it is possible. Those old OMC`s are very simple and most ignition parts will interchange from similar years. I have a 1961 75 Evinrude Starflite I and I have all the ignition parts from a `63 75 Evinrude Starflite III to convert my motor from battery ignition to distributer magneto ignition if need be. Ask this question on the question and answer board on this site http://www.aomci.org/
adlert posted 09-08-2010 01:24 PM ET (US)
Hunk,
I think you may be confusing belt driven distributor-type magneto ignition, battery ignition, battery powered capacitor discharge ignition systems, and true no-points magneto capacitor discharge ignition systems. Maybe not. Nevertheless, OMC's no-points, magneto (no battery input) capacitor discharge ignition systems did not start coming into play until about 1972 on their larger engines. Years later on the smaller engines.
You would have to find the proper flywheel (containing two different sets of magnets), trigger base assembly, charge coil assembly (stator), proper coils, and then get them all to mount to a block meant to support a simple breaker points-type ignition system. Maybe someone has done it or made a kit for it. Sounds like a tall order to me.
Steve Leone posted 09-18-2010 08:05 PM ET (US)
Wont work.The hole patterns for the stator plate and associated parts are way different. Not impossible, but a engineering feat would have to be implemented. They do sell quick kits for lawnmowers, etc., and it may be possible to configure one of these into the existing magneto plate of the 20 hp of that vintage. Some use optical (light) sensors to adequetely collapse the field(s) in the coil (s). Just have to run a "window" per cylinder. Old technology, developed in the late 1960`s, but not applied to outboard motors (at leat not by the industry) until about the 1970`s ( I belive it was Mercury, the "Cadillac of Outboards" at the time).Steve
jimh posted 09-19-2010 11:47 AM ET (US)
This discussion has been on-going for two weeks but the initiator of the discussion has shown no interest in replying. This leads me to wonder if he has even read any of the advice offered. Perhaps this was a case of a drive-by participant who started a discussion and has since abandoned it.

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Author	Topic: Converting c.1960 OMC Outboard to Capacitor Discharge Ignition
wads99	posted 09-06-2010 01:21 AM ET (US) Is it possible to convert from [breaker] points to [Capacitor Discharge] Ignition for late 1960's to late 1970's Johnson 20-HP?
adlert	posted 09-07-2010 12:03 PM ET (US) Completely converting to a true solid state magneto CD system as found in later years would be very difficult, probably essentially not doable for that engine. If however you simply are tired of dealing with points and condensers there is (or at least used to be) a relatively inexpensive kit available to replace these items with solid state components.
Hunk	posted 09-07-2010 08:49 PM ET (US) Yes it is possible. Those old OMC`s are very simple and most ignition parts will interchange from similar years. I have a 1961 75 Evinrude Starflite I and I have all the ignition parts from a `63 75 Evinrude Starflite III to convert my motor from battery ignition to distributer magneto ignition if need be. Ask this question on the question and answer board on this site http://www.aomci.org/
adlert	posted 09-08-2010 01:24 PM ET (US) Hunk, I think you may be confusing belt driven distributor-type magneto ignition, battery ignition, battery powered capacitor discharge ignition systems, and true no-points magneto capacitor discharge ignition systems. Maybe not. Nevertheless, OMC's no-points, magneto (no battery input) capacitor discharge ignition systems did not start coming into play until about 1972 on their larger engines. Years later on the smaller engines. You would have to find the proper flywheel (containing two different sets of magnets), trigger base assembly, charge coil assembly (stator), proper coils, and then get them all to mount to a block meant to support a simple breaker points-type ignition system. Maybe someone has done it or made a kit for it. Sounds like a tall order to me.
Steve Leone	posted 09-18-2010 08:05 PM ET (US) Wont work.The hole patterns for the stator plate and associated parts are way different. Not impossible, but a engineering feat would have to be implemented. They do sell quick kits for lawnmowers, etc., and it may be possible to configure one of these into the existing magneto plate of the 20 hp of that vintage. Some use optical (light) sensors to adequetely collapse the field(s) in the coil (s). Just have to run a "window" per cylinder. Old technology, developed in the late 1960`s, but not applied to outboard motors (at leat not by the industry) until about the 1970`s ( I belive it was Mercury, the "Cadillac of Outboards" at the time).Steve
jimh	posted 09-19-2010 11:47 AM ET (US) This discussion has been on-going for two weeks but the initiator of the discussion has shown no interest in replying. This leads me to wonder if he has even read any of the advice offered. Perhaps this was a case of a drive-by participant who started a discussion and has since abandoned it.