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Cracked Coil

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earlbuddy

Regular Contributor
Just put a new coil on my '66 80hp. Cranked it over a few times to check spark but didn't start it. Now I noticed some cracks in the coil. What caused the coil to crack?
Thanks
 
A couple of things. First, we need to know if you have an electric shift motor or a manual shift? They use different ignition systems.

If electric shift, are you using the correct cable going forward to the ignition switch? It has a special resistance wire in it to supply voltage to the coil. Using plain wire can cause it to overheat and explode.

If manual shift, it has a magneto ignition and is self powered. Supplying an external voltage to it will overheat and explode the coil.
 
It's electric shift. I've attached a picture of my cable assembly. Is the wire I have an arrow pointing to the special resistance you're referencing? '66 80hp Evinrude Cable Assembly.jpg
 
Yes, that's it. By any chance has the cable been cut to shorten it? That will reduce the resistance. It should measure one ohm with an accurate meter.
 
Not that I know. I cut about an inch off each wire to put new spade terminals on, old ones were bad. The previous owner rewired the engine. He used Ancor marine wire. I've doubled checked to make sure the correct gauge was used and is hooked correctly at the cable end. Should the wire from the coil to the terminal connector be the special resistance wire? If so, where can I get that wire?
 
Ok. To find the OEM replacement coil it's quite expensive. A couple of guys said to use a 12v non-resistor automotive coil. Is that ok and if so can you tell me what size, etc.
Thanks
 
You certainly can use an automotive coil with the proper resistor associated with it (if any). Sorry, I'm not a car mechanic and don't know the specs of everything out there. Of course you will also have to deal with mounting it, which may not be a big deal.
 
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