Shocking HT leads

[ronsealdeath]

Hi there,

Sorry this is my second post on the forum today but its boating season here now and as usual there are problems cropping up with my motor.

I am getting regular shocks from my HT leads whenever I accidentally touch them. They look ancient (1976/77 Evinrude 55hp) and the insulation is cracked and brittle. I know they are probably arching in use and need replacing but I can't afford to buy new coils as the leads appear to be incoporated into the whole coil unit.

Can I bodge a repair of the leads with insulation tape or some kind of silicone hosing? If not, it it possible to get hold of HT leads on their own and to fit them to the coils? I noticed there is a kit (18-5225) that OMC do, would this work? Even so I can't get hold of one in the UK so it would cost me a fair bit to get it shipped.

Thanks
Al

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Shocking HT leads

The coil wires simply screw into the coils..... grab onto one of them and unscsrew it.

Within the coils is a long prong that has a thread of sorts to it, a sort of elongated taper. So get yourself a couple lengths of plug wire that has a steel wire inner core (not carbon) and make yourself a new set.

(Replacing Regular Spark Plug Wires)
(J. Reeves)

If you also need the spark plug boots and the spring terminals that connect to the spark plugs, purchase them from your local dealership (OMC Part #581027). This includes one boot and one spring connector. Price is about $3.25ea.

Purchase whatever amount of spark plug wire you need. Be sure to purchase the kind that has a steel twisted wire leading through the center of it....... not the carbon type plug wire that many automobiles now use.

Using your old plug wire, cut the new wire to a length about 3/4" to 1" longer. If you have no old plug wire, just make sure that the wire is longer than you'll need as you can trim the other end later.

The rubber boot, spark plug end.... With the wire cut to the length required, trim back 1/4" insulation again but do not solder tint the wires. Simply fan out the wires and fold them back against the insulation, cutting the excess off as explained above. Holding the spring wire terminal, estimate where the prong should be inserted so that the spring will be flush against the exposed wire. Hold the spring terminal away from the wires end (sideways) and insert the prong into the insulation and into the center wire, then swing the spring terminal in front of the exposed wire portion (makes a tight fit for continuity purposes).

Spraying the inner portion of the boot where the wire will insert with a small amount of WD40 makes the installation of the wire a easy project. That's it.... you're done.

 

[ronsealdeath]

Re: Shocking HT leads

Thank you Joe, I'll give that a go.

Much appreciated.

Al