Yet another project....

[lrholy06]

Hey everybody,
I hope I am posting this in the right spot. I pulled a 1979 Honda 185 XLS out of a barn here on the property. It has sat there for more than 20 years. The last time it was registered was 94. Anyway, I cant get it started. Does anybody have any idea of what else I can try?
Here is what I have done: Removed and drained the gas tank, added fresh fuel. Oil changed, new spark plug. Removed and cleaned the carburetor, new battery. I bought a used CDI/coil off Ebay but I still dont have any spark at all.

I have tried to find a decent forum for this but there doesn't seem to be one out there. Any help at all would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[d_adams]

Check the output from the pickup coil wires. As I recall, they were wrapped in white heat cloth coming out of the head on the shifter side. Should be 2 screws holding the cover on for it, I think it's just a 2 wire unit. That's where you'd set the static timing, they had a tendency to wear out there. The mechanical advance should move freely but snap back to it's original position, there's a couple of small springs in there that might also be broken.

 

[lrholy06]

Ok I'll pull that off and see. Any idea what the out put should be?

 

[d_adams]

There's an ohm spec, no idea what it is without a manual. I always used an old snap-on test light, it would make it flicker as it passed by from the small magnetic field in the pickup coil from what I remember.

 

[lrholy06]

Should that be spinning across the pick up coil as I try to start it? It turns freely like you said it should but it does not snap back into place.

 

[lrholy06]

 

[d_adams]

Yeah, the part with the bolt in the center, it will move a little for the timing advance. It's been a while since I even looked at one of those engines though. Maybe 18 years? I want to say it will turn just a bit counterclockwise.