Reply To: Can You refurbish Elgin ignition coils with OMC type coils?

[cajuncook1]

This is a quote from Jim M and Art S website.

The 1946 – 1954 Wico magnetos used three types of coils. The early coils are brown and have a 5/8″ center lamination. These coils are usually still in good condition today and this type of magneto usually requires only a point cleaning and gapping to 0.020″, and perhaps new spark plug wires. The second version magneto has the 5/8″ laminations but the coils are covered with black plastic. These coils may be cracked but can be repaired with epoxy or other insulating material or they can be replaced with the earlier brown coils. The final magneto design uses black plastic covered coils with 7/16″ center laminations. These coils are quite often cracked and may require replacement. If this type coil does need replacement, a 1950s style OMC coil can be substituted. On most models, the Wico points have a bakelite slider that slides in a groove in the magneto plate. This slider should be cleaned and lightly lubricated. Old oil or dirt in the groove can make the points sticky which results in a poorly running motor.

I recently purchased a 1950 Elgin 7.5hp with 5/8th laminations with a black plastic coil and a good orange coil. I have a feeling the orange coil was placed later in the outboard’s life. Naturally the black plastic coil is cracked and no good.

If it would have had the 7/16 laminates then I would swap the cores with OMC coils. So, the decision is either purchase another Wico coil for about $70 to $80 dollars or try to find 7/16th laminates that will except omc coil bodies.

Jim M was reviewing with me that some of the earlier coils laminates were pinned to maintain correct placement on the magneto plate, so getting donor 7/16 laminates may not work.

Or I could modify the middle portiion of the 5/8 inch laminate so it could accept a 7/16 OMC coil.

Sorry guys, I originally was adding some using information to the post, but then I started thinking out loud….lol

Cheers,
Cajuncook1