Home › Forum › Ask A Member › new to aomci member, how to change coils points and condenser in classic omc
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June 14, 2024 at 7:05 pm #288306
Hey guys how is everyone doing this evening? my name is Mike, just joined the aomci club due to my love for antique outboards and old boats. I’ve got a 1959 Evinrude fastwin 18 HP that needs a tune up and the lower unit resealed and that goes for a couple other omc outboards I have. I’ve never done anything like that before and I was coming to seek help and guidance on how to work on these classic outboards. and timing I heard you have to retime the motor when you put new points coils and condensers in. I’ve never have timed any motor and I was wondering how to do that when I get the ignition tuned up. thanks for the help guys.
June 14, 2024 at 9:25 pm #288307There’s several YouTube videos on the subject of timing and tuning up
OMC vintage outboards. Some special tools suggested, but
not absolute necessary, but they can optimize you best chance
for a slow idle.Prepare to be boarded!
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June 15, 2024 at 10:57 am #288309Hi Mike
How much outboard experience have you had? Why is it that you feel the seals in your gearcase need to be replaced? The ignition work isn’t that difficult, but a few specialty tools are required. Setting the points/timing with an ohm meter is not an absolute must, usually the points can be set to .020″ on the highest part of the cam lobe.
There is an inspection cover on top of your flywheel that is easily removed. Once it is off, you can peak inside to see if your coils are cracked/damaged/not usable.
Do you have any pictures of your engine, sometimes it is easier for us to help with the aid of some photos.
Nonetheless, before you begin, you should really watch some videos on the service procedures you would like to perform…
Generally speaking, in order to make your engine a “reliable daily runner”, you should plan on doing the following work
Service ignition system, which may involve replacing the coils, removing the mag plate to replace spark plug wires.
Service fuel system, which means pulling the carb apart to inspect and clean it, reassemble with new OEM rebuild kit, inspect and replace old fuel lines… Your 59 engine came with a dual line fuel tank, do you have it? You better have a look inside the tank to check for rust or crud, the tank isn’t serviceable if it is messed up/fouled inside. You can convert this engine to a single line system fairly easily, but it will require a fuel pump and one intake bypass cover with the fuel pump mounting.
Remove gearcase, drain and inspect gear lube, replace water pump (please use OEM components). If gear lube is milky or has raw water present, then you will need to pressure test to pinpoint the actual trouble area. Pulling the gearcase apart is not real difficult, but removing and replacing those seals can be a challenge. Delicate aluminum castings are easily damaged.
Please ask any questions you have after watching and reading about these service procedures.
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June 15, 2024 at 11:17 am #288310I don’t know about you Michael….but I learn best when I am working with someone and can watch how things are done and can ask questions. I would suggest that you include your location in these posts and maybe there is a local Chapter with a member who just happens to be working on an OMC magneto.
Welcome to the AOMCI!
June 15, 2024 at 2:48 pm #288311I agree with CK, that’s how I learn the best too. As mentioned, videos and pictures help, as well as having it explained really well and thoroughly like some of the guys here do. And it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with what the Service Manual says either. Here’s a link (good for a week) to download a few of the chapters.
When you click on the link you’ll see an option that says “Preview” and you’ll see each individual chapter that you can download as a separate file. Or if you click the blue oval “Download” button it will download all as a “Zip” file that will need to be “Unzipped” or each file “Extracted”…do whatever you’re more comfortable with.
June 15, 2024 at 3:33 pm #288314I don’t know about you Michael….but I learn best when I am working with someone and can watch how things are done and can ask questions. I would suggest that you include your location in these posts and maybe there is a local Chapter with a member who just happens to be working on an OMC magneto.
Welcome to the AOMCI!
Great advice indeed…
June 15, 2024 at 5:40 pm #288316Thanks guys, and Fleetwin I have zero experience with working on these classics. the timing part is the part I really am going to need to learn, gonna order the timing tool. well from what I heard you might as well reseal the gearcase when you do a tune up on these old motors. and I also have a Buccaneer 12 horse motor I need to do a tune up on too, And it wont go into reverse. want to ask what could make it not go into reverse? these are the 2 motors I plan on getting running first. and who makes the best coils and points for these motors? heard of fitment issues with the Sierra points about the holes needing to be drilled and or tapped out. Thanks and plan on finding a Buccaneer 25 horsepower motor down the road just trying to find one for sale lol.
June 15, 2024 at 9:33 pm #288322Michael welcome to the club.
I’ve got some reading that I recommend.
“Art’s 5 point plan” http://precisionservoutboard.com/about/arts-five-point-plan/
And a book by Max Wawrzyniak called Cheap Outboards.
https://www.amazon.com/Cheap-Outboards-Beginners-Making-Forever/dp/1891369628
Good Luck with your motors
Steve A W
Member of the MOB chapter.
I live in Northwest IndianaJune 16, 2024 at 10:21 am #288323Thanks guys, and Fleetwin I have zero experience with working on these classics. the timing part is the part I really am going to need to learn, gonna order the timing tool. well from what I heard you might as well reseal the gearcase when you do a tune up on these old motors. and I also have a Buccaneer 12 horse motor I need to do a tune up on too, And it wont go into reverse. want to ask what could make it not go into reverse? these are the 2 motors I plan on getting running first. and who makes the best coils and points for these motors? heard of fitment issues with the Sierra points about the holes needing to be drilled and or tapped out. Thanks and plan on finding a Buccaneer 25 horsepower motor down the road just trying to find one for sale lol.
OK, well I respectfully disagree with “…you may as well reseal the gearcase…..”. Folks talk about this procedure like it is easy…. Well, most can probably get the gearcase back together, but sealed properly, highly doubtful. Doing this job correctly is just not that easy. So, I would recommend draining the gear lube (do not remove that phillips screw, it is the shift linkage) by removing the lower drain and upper vent screws and having a look at the oil. If the oil is not milky, and there is no obvious water present, I would leave it alone. If water is present, you will need to pressure test to find the actual leak issue. All the new seals, orings, gaskets in the world can not compensate compensate for a porous/damaged casting or a grooved shaft. Nonetheless, you should definitely remove the gearcase, change the water pump, and lube the driveshaft splines/oring.
As for the points, it seems like even the OEM new pieces have issues, so many folks file and clean their old points, which is fine…You just have to check for excessive rubbing block wear. The condensers should be replaced, the coils and wires inspected as well. You will need a decent flywheel puller to remove the flywheel.. You will also need a decent strap wrench and torque wrench to reinstall it.
So, for now, why don’t you drain the gear lube, and let us know what you find. Let’s start with simple basic service procedures and go on from there. You can always pull the inspection cover off the top of the flywheel to peek inside and have a look at the coils to see if they have cracked/fallen apart.
June 16, 2024 at 10:23 am #288324I agree with CK, that’s how I learn the best too. As mentioned, videos and pictures help, as well as having it explained really well and thoroughly like some of the guys here do. And it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with what the Service Manual says either. Here’s a link (good for a week) to download a few of the chapters.
When you click on the link you’ll see an option that says “Preview” and you’ll see each individual chapter that you can download as a separate file. Or if you click the blue oval “Download” button it will download all as a “Zip” file that will need to be “Unzipped” or each file “Extracted”…do whatever you’re more comfortable with.
Steve
Those manuals look very interesting, anyway to download them?
Don
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