OMG, is it the coil?

[nola mike]

Finally got back on the water after a ton of rain. Was trying to see whether I could get the temps up after flushing the HX. 17 miles each way to our destination, running it a bit harder than usual, 33-3400 rpm on the way out, way back with a few longer runs at 37-3800 rpm. Stopped on the way back for a swim. Started no problem, got on plane. Maybe 30 sec later the engine just died without warning. Started right back up, went another maybe 6 miles without issue. Engine then started missing a bit, then a bit more. Slowed down a bit and it seemed to improve. Was near home and didn't push the issue. Wiggled the plug/other wires a bit to make sure nothing was loose or frayed. Pulled the coil wire and noticed a bit of oil on the terminal, and a little in the coil. Also noticed some hissing/sizzling around the screw inside the coil plug. Coil didn't seem particularly hot, so I figured it was oil leaking from inside. I'm going to be weak and replace this before it leaves me stranded, but I don't want to disappoint scott Danforth
Can I use any generic external ballast auto coil (I have a Mallory electronic ignition still using the resistance wire)?

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you have hissing from the tower and oil leaking....it may actually be a failing coil. Could be one of the 3 out of a million

 

[nola mike]

For some reason, I find that strangely satisfying. Also remembered that I have a spare engine sitting in my yard with a likely working coil. I'll swap and see how she goes.

 

[achris]

...Can I use any generic external ballast auto coil (I have a Mallory electronic ignition still using the resistance wire)?

Yes.

I also had a genuine coil failure years ago. Engine idled great, but died under load. Tracked it down to the coil. Water has, over the years, been getting on it and dripping to the bottom, where it corroded a small hole and all the oil leaked out. It was overheating and producing a weak spark. But I am also with Scott Danforth in that it's RARE that coils fail...

Chris...........

 

[Scott Danforth]

and the mallory resistor is ok to use. I have one on my BBC with a mallory dizzy

 

[Oshkosh1]

If you have hissing from the tower and oil leaking....it may actually be a failing coil. Could be one of the 3 out of a million

Lol! If I had a nickel for every lowly, perfectly functioning coil which has been sacrificed early in the trouble shooting process...

In one of my other "worlds"(British sports cars) it seems every time one of those cars hiccups the first component to go is the coil...when in reality I've always said it's usually the LAST one to fail!lol!

Followed closely by the cap and rotor...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Lol! If I had a nickel for every lowly, perfectly functioning coil which has been sacrificed early in the trouble shooting process...

In one of my other "worlds"(British sports cars) it seems every time one of those cars hiccups the first component to go is the coil...when in reality I've always said it's usually the LAST one to fail!lol!

Followed closely by the cap and rotor...

those were lucas coils....anything lucas failed leaving the factory

 

[Oshkosh1]

those were lucas coils....anything lucas failed leaving the factory

No...the Lucas coils are actually exceptional.

Prince Lucas often gets a bad wrap...it wasn't so much the components as how they were used.

I still have two friends running their original coils after almost 50 years and 100k miles...and I have two on my shelf which are OEM from a 73 and 74 which are fine.

The lack of relays is mostly to blame for the electrical issues in those cars...

 

[Scott Danforth]

i thought it was the manufacturing plant in France turning out carp...... but we are off the subject.

 

[nola mike]

Went 55 miles since swapping the coil, including some wot runs and some slalom skiing, no recurrence. Glad I saw that hissing. Got lucky with that troubleshooting. That could have taken forever to track down.