Question About 1958 18hp Coils---Or--- Have My Coils Gone South

[BobnTed]

I just got done doing a 2 month powerhead restoration on my 18hp 1958 Evinrude (I'm slow as heck in my old age). I started it yesterday for the first time in years and it ran ok. Well not today, won't start, jezz not even cough. Its getting fuel,(carb. was rebuil)t plugs were wet. Checked point setting and rejusted, though they were ok. Checked spark at plugs, plugs sparked but can't tell how good the spark is, lost my spark checker in our move here. Points are new with condeners, not really happy with the points, they're OMC but look like poorly made ones. Heres my question, I reused the coils that were came with this motor, they look like OMC replacement epoxy coils, this engine sat outside for years, I see no visable cracks, could they have gone bad?(maybe they pooped they're last pop?). I do have replacements, easy to replace, or would you guys think I should look elsewere for the problem? I'm sure its electrical. I did forget to say all electrical is new, just not coils. Compression was even on both cyls. at 105 each.

Thanks
Rocket J. Squirel
&
Moose

 

[BobnTed]

Re: Question About 1958 18hp Coils---Or--- Have My Coils Gone South

Rather then amend my original comment by using "edit" I feel that maybe this option is better. Now this maybe not the answer but I feel this might be the cause, hurredness (not use thats a word) I failed to look at something I feel could be an amateur mistake, while rebuilding my electricial system I never looked at the pins in the coils to check for rust or corrsion, after taking everything apart, I found what looks like one coils pin is dark in color all the down and surrounding the pins base. The other pin looks dull all the way down. I believe that thats my resestances. Wire boot to coil was only ok so I reused them, mistake, so I'll replace with new. Also it rained here last night, though motor was covered moisture must have gotten in & caused havoic with electicical causing a high amount of resistence, hence weak spark at plugs. Lession here is, I know I should have had a spark gap tester. Would have saved me a whole days.

Semper Paratus
Rocket J. Squirel
&
Moose

P.S. If anyone has another idea please let me know. Thanks everyone for being a sounding board!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Question About 1958 18hp Coils---Or--- Have My Coils Gone South

Yeah it really is just a guess without properly testing it.

Rig up a homemade tester if you have to, that spark needs to be able to jump a 1/4" gap with a bright blue ZAP!!