Topic: 1924 Model A Johnson ignition coil problem – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 5 months ago by Monte NZ.

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February 27, 2016 at 8:58 am #3717
Monte NZ
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International Member
Hello everyone.

Thanks to T2 very kindly sending me a parts list catalog for the above, my neighbor and I are now working on the motor, but unfortunately we have run
into a problem.

We replaced the cracked old spark plug wire on one cylinder by unscrewing the black bakelite part,which the lead goes into and then discovered that while unscrewing this unit we had broken the the single strand copper wire, which is connected (just inside the coil) to the spark plug lead.This was a surprise, as the bakelite part is designed to be unscrewed and came out easily.

We then noticed that when we unscrewed the lead from the bakelite part, there is a brass screw thread down in the hole, similar to looking into a OMC coil of the 50s 60s, where there is a a sharp spike, that pushes into the lead as it the lead is pushed in.

Needless to say, we wouldn’t have removed the bakelite part if we had known what would happen and instead just screwed a new lead into the bakelite unit itself.

We would certainly appreciate any ideas to correct the problem………when doing the other lead we certainly won’t disturb the bakelite connector!

Many thanks in advance.
Kind regards

MonteNZ
February 27, 2016 at 12:07 pm #32543
Anonymous
The spark plug leads on those motors are designed to push right through the screw-in Bakelite piece that threads into the magneto plate, then the end of the spark plug lead merely gets pushed up against the tab on the coil. A photo or two of your situation would help greatly in solving your dilemma

Best,
T2
February 27, 2016 at 12:22 pm #32544
stanley
Participant
US Member
T2 is right.It sounds like someone did a clumsy repair job.You should’ve of also encountered a hard tar like substance holding things together.
February 27, 2016 at 1:19 pm #32546
stanley
Participant
US Member
Have you removed fly wheel?If not do it now,it will give you a better view of things and you’ll have to do it to clean the points etc.and patch things up.
February 28, 2016 at 2:03 am #32595
Tubs
Participant
A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.
- This reply was modified 6 years, 9 months ago by Tubs.
- This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by Tubs.
February 28, 2016 at 7:57 am #32611
Monte NZ
Participant
International Member
Hello everyone.
Thanks T2,Stanley and Tubs for your prompt replies.
We have had a closer look and found that the "goo" in the bakelite part that the spark plug lead goes into, appears to be bees wax,or something very similar and it has been sufficienly gummy enough to not allow the bakelite unit to be unscrewed with out twisting the single copper wire that has a little dome on it which presses up against the tab on the coil.

We discovered this when we removed the coil, and by the way, the bakelite unit on the other spark lead, came out without any problem.
I found that heating the bakelite unit up with hot water, melted what we presume to be bees wax allowing the parts to be separated.

Thanks Tubs for your "You Tube" of using OMC coils or similar. We thought that a brilliant idea! I had often wondered if such a setup was possible, but at this stage the coil should be fine. All we need to do is repair the connection in the bakelite connector.

I would have sent you photos if new how how to put them on the website, but I have spoken to a friend who is far more computer savvy than me and he has said that he will teach me, so with a bit of luck I will be able to do so soon.

Thanks very much once again.

Kind regards
MonteNZ
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