72 Johnson 65HP top coil problem. Or is it?

[Johnson65]

Hard cold starting. Noticed the insulation/cover on the windings on the #1 coil is loose in the frame. Any way to tighten this? Engine seems to pop off if I pull the #1 plug wire, otherwise it's hard starting when cold. Warm/hot, sitting in the sun for a while with the cover off, it starts right up..most of the time .

I found this by accident as I pulled the plug wire off, hooked the cable to a known good plug, grounded the plug and was going to for spark. then it started .It's done this on more than one occasion.

Can the #1 coil having loose insulation and possibly loose wire(s) draw enough current to weaken the spark? Then put enough voltage to the remaining coils to make it start? Or could be a problem elsewhere?

 

[fireman57]

Re: 72 Johnson 65HP top coil problem. Or is it?

I would change the plug wire. You have already proven that it is bad. I assume that you are talking about the plug wire as it comes from the coil. You can just replace the coil if you want, that way you have a spare because the new ones come to where you have to set the coil wire in them whereas your original was probably preset in the coil.