Topic: Rebuilding ELTO Ruddertwin Coils & Other Tips Needed

This topic has 16 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 2 months ago by chris-p.

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November 3, 2016 at 11:58 am #5624
wbeaton
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Canada Member
I am planning to restore my 1924 ELTO Lightwin Model C this winter. The motor is rough, but complete. Everything needs attention. The wiring is so corroded that even the plug wires appear to have melted. I know I can buy a replacement coil from Doug Penn for a very reasonable price, but I’d like to do it myself. I have a bin full of universal OMC coils and condensers. I also have a few Evinrude Zephyrs for parts. Does anyone have any tips for rebuilding the coils using either the OMC or Zephyr coils? I’ve found some posts that say it can be done, but nothing that shows how to do it. I understand I should boil the old coil until the insulation softens and the contents can be removed.

Are there any other tips you can share? I will also have to rebuild the timer and carb so any information you can provide is helpful. I do have a copy of the service manual.

Thanks in advance.

Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com
November 3, 2016 at 12:40 pm #46917
RICHARD A. WHITE
Participant
Lifetime Member
A few options here.. The Zephyr coil is the way to go. One word of warning… the pitch used in the original coil is nasty stuff wear protective gloves and such. Gently heating the original in an oven will warm and soften the tar to a point where the guts will come out. I have heard of others freezing the unit but I did not go with that. The end caps are sometimes held in with tacks or small brads so look for those. Be careful with the caps as the are fragile. I have one that I did, and wired up, I can get you that wiring schematic later today, if you need it, or in a couple of days that way I can celebrate my birthday today with my wife and not play with any motors…LOL I can add pictures as well, but again gimme a day or so…

Regards

Richard

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com
November 3, 2016 at 1:33 pm #46923
brook-n
Participant
Happy Birthday Richard!
November 3, 2016 at 2:07 pm #46926
Tubs
Participant
wbeaton—- Sent you a pm.

Have a great day old timer!!!!!!

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.
November 3, 2016 at 2:14 pm #46927
wbeaton
Participant
Canada Member
Ha. Happy birthday, Richard. This is a winter project so I have lots of time. I’m just getting my ducks in a row. I have at least 6 other motors to do this winter.

Thanks, Tubs. I’ll check my PM’s.

Wayne

Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com
November 3, 2016 at 2:19 pm #46928
RICHARD A. WHITE
Participant
Lifetime Member
6???? that is it? easy peazy..lol I have about 17 I want to work on…LOL

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com
November 3, 2016 at 2:24 pm #46929
wbeaton
Participant
Canada Member
quote Richard A. White:

6???? that is it? easy peazy..lol I have about 17 I want to work on…LOL

No. I have 6 that I told myself I would finish this winter. There are several more in the shed awaiting attention. For the last few years I’ve been focused on restoring/repairing Feather Craft boats and a 1951 Chevy. I’m ready to get back to smaller projects.

Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com
November 3, 2016 at 5:36 pm #46939
RICK EICHRODT
Participant
Lifetime Member
Before you go chopping up your Elto coil, have you checked it out to see if all you need to do is re-wire it? Simply meter the spark plug wires and see if you have continuity. If so, then there is no need to gut a perfectly good coil and install a Zephyr coil. I have had several Ruddertwins and I had good coils in all of them. It is very easy to replace the spark plug wires, install new wiring and removing the old condenser from the potted material. In the April 2006 issue of the Antique Outboarder, Sam Vance has a wonderful "how to" article for the very same issue.
November 3, 2016 at 6:24 pm #46942
wbeaton
Participant
Canada Member
That’s a good point, rickrodt. I will test the coil before I commit to anything. My concern is that the wires are all so deteriorated that I won’t be able to solder to the outside of the coil canister. I thought the canister was completely sealed inside. I didn’t know that the condenser could be replaced. I assumed it was all sealed in tar.

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Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com
November 3, 2016 at 6:32 pm #46943
RICK EICHRODT
Participant
Lifetime Member
It is sealed. The article details how to remove the end caps, digging out the pitch tar, removing the potted condenser (about the size of a matchbox) and how to solder the new wires, replacing the caps and such. I have done several of these and they work great. Let me know if you need a copy of the article unless you have the 2006 April issue.
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