1979 evinrude 115 rectifier test

[Steam]

I tested the rectifier per the J Reeves small rectifier reading - no reading test method I saw in an earlier post. My voltmeter shows my battery is charging when the motor is running, So I assumed I was good on the charging and ignition coils...but it fails the test on the red to yellow/grey wire. I get an ohm reading in either direction on those two wires. Is that test for sure an indication of a bad rectifier?
Also per that old post, I checked under the flywheel for the "sticky" looking substance and had none, but there is a slight amount of a sticky substance on the top edge of 2 of my coil packs. Is that what they look like just before they fail? (See picture)

Lastly, I noticed when disconnecting the rectifier, that there is a grey wire on the bottom screw of the terminal block that has no other wire going to it. (See picture). So, is something missing or connected wrong? There is a stray heavier gage yellow wire running all the way up to under the dash, but it is not a part of the wire harness, it's ran separate outside of it and is not connected on either end, so I have never fooled with it.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Assuming that you've got "all" of the rectifier wires disconnected from the strip block.... If you're using a digital meter, switch to an analog meter (needle) for the rectifier test. Personally I have a problem with digital meters giving false readings.

Coils oozing?.... In all my 30+ years, I've never seen a coil in that condition. As long as you have proper spark, put up with it. When (If) they fail, that's the time to replace them.

The wire attached to the strip terminal block all by itself is usually a purple wire, not gray. (Normal)

The spare wire attached with neither end connected to anything... probably used for testing. If it bugs you, remove it.

 

[Steam]

Assume correctly, I had the red, yellow, and yellow/grey off when I tested. The pictures are after re-assembly. As for analog meter. I have 2 meters, a cheap auto parts store digital and my MAC digital. Would have to get an analog one... they still make those? LOL I may just leave that be since it's charging. I have a different post on here for hard to start. I was just thinking a bad rectifier might be part of that problem.
Haven't seen a coil like that in your 30+ years, huh? Well, there's the pic, you can't say that anymore.
As for purple or grey, it just looks like a 40 year old wire, I was guessing grey. Purple, brown, you see the pic, could call it many things.
This boat was USED when my dad bought it many, probably 30+, years ago, then it sat most of each year un-used at a lake property he rarely visited. Then it sat totally un-used in the nice salt air of his house on the inter-coastal waterway for about 10 years before he told me that if I could get it running and wanted it, I could haul it back with me. It had a little pine tree about a foot tall growing up out of the floor drain hole by the rod locker! LMAO
So, I was amazed it ran after doing all the routine maintenance things (water pump impeller, seal kit, carb kit, fuel pump kit, fuel lines, etc) to it.
Thanks for the info Joe