Topic: 1947-48 Elgin 3.5hp, Model 571.58521 – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 13 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 4 months ago by Buccaneer.

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June 6, 2016 at 11:09 pm #4451
Buccaneer
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This is the first Elgin I’ve worked on
(1947-48 Elgin 3.5hp, Model 571.58521)
and was wondering if anyone has a digital parts manual
for this model?
Also, it has a Wico magneto with X5463 condensers,
that have a threaded post instead of a wire lead.
Would it be possible to retrofit OMC universal condensers
or something else readily available?
Specs say the X5463 condensers are in the .16 to .20 mfd range.
Thanks!

Update – No way the OMC universal condensers will work.
Those are a bigger diameter and will not fit in the recessed
hole in the mag plate. I’ve seen the X5463 condensers for
sale, ($14 each) but presume they are 40 year old NOS.
I’d rather have something a little fresher 😮

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June 9, 2016 at 4:32 pm #37990
Buccaneer
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I’m beginning to think no one will admit that they have an
Elgin and have replaced a Wico condenser with something
else before 🙂

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June 9, 2016 at 4:56 pm #37992
frankr
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On the contrary, there has been much talk about using orange drop capacitors to replace the magneto condensers. The problem in this case is the points springs that are attached to the condenser. I’ll bet a guy could cut the bottom off the condenser can and pull the guts out and fill it with epoxy, making a dummy condenser to hold the wires, including an added capacitor wire.
June 9, 2016 at 5:11 pm #37993
frankr
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These are what I’m currently using. Works for me.

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June 9, 2016 at 11:01 pm #38007
Buccaneer
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Frank, thanks for your reply. I have followed all the posts on the capacitor
substitutions, etc., but don’t find anything in my notes about the reliability
or longivity of the "orange drop" caps.
The Allied caps that Jeff recommended, ie.,
22mfd 940C12P22K-F 21.5 mm (27/32" diameter)
is way too big to fit in any old condenser can. The Wico can
is a smaller diameter than OMC cans, so a guy might have to
go "canless"!
If the orange drops work for you, then I guess I should bite the bullet and try
them. So far, I’ve always found some kind of substitution condenser, like new
Briggs condensers, or just used NOS.
What’s the width of the orange drops?
Thanks, Buccaneer.

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June 9, 2016 at 11:51 pm #38010
frankr
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Rough (ruler) measurement is 1/2". I didn’t mean put them in the can, I suggested filling the can with epoxy and using it only for a connection point. The cap would go wherever there is room, like between the points and coil. Yeah, it doesn’t look original, but who’s looking in there? Reliability? In the old vintage radio/TV world, paper capacitors were among the least reliable. But they did have their place. Outboard condensers are actually paper capacitors.
June 10, 2016 at 1:03 am #38015
Buccaneer
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Frank, I think I get you now. So with the orange caps, I could
attach one end to the screw holding the old Wico condenser (ground)
to the mag plate, and the other end would join with the coil wire and point strap
on the Wico condenser post? In looking at my photo, it looks like there
just might be room for that. Much appreciated!

Just ordered 10 of them. Looking forward to the experiment!

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June 10, 2016 at 1:30 am #38017
frankr
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Yep, that’s the plan. Let us know how it works out for you. As somebody said, I know just enough about electricity to be dangerous. But I have a nice diploma I can hang on the wall, saying I’m a radio/TV repairman—nice piece of paper, but I never went to work at it. I figured out that the TV guy was the most underpaid guy in town, considering how much he had to know.
June 10, 2016 at 2:30 am #38029
20mercman
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I picked up one of those 3.5 Elgin’s up at a swap meet for $12 and it came with a 2.5 hp. parts motor. It is a wonderful running little motor, and I would have seriously considered running it at Constantine but that is a 3 or less event. I do have a 2.5 Elgin single from the same vintage. Nice little motors those Elgin’s…

Steve
June 10, 2016 at 3:16 am #38033
Buccaneer
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20mercman, the Elgin is a nice change. Learning something new with it. It has a funky
"sliding vane" water pump. Looks like a neat idea…… hope it pumps!
Frank, I remember going to the mall / store quite often with my dad in the 60’s.
He’d bring a bunch of TV tubes and self test them in some machine, figure
out which one was bad, buy another and get the Bendex? TV going again.
Now you just throw them away when they quit!

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1947-48 Elgin 3.5hp, Model 571.58521

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