Repetitive coil failure

[bbrad9151]

I have a 1983 bayliner Capri aq1255 Inboard Volvo Penta and 270 Volvo Penta outdrive. I picked the boat up for $1,000 as a project. I've practically rebuilt the entire motor but I keep burning up the coil, I've gone through about 3 this season. I'm just curious on what would be causing repetitive coil failure. Any input or thoughts would be amazing, I'm out of ideas at this point.

 

[no704]

Ya leaving the ignition on when not running?

 

[dennis461]

wrong coil.
polarity wrong
wrong resistor.
resistor bypassed from wiring error
left on like other poster said
voltage too high.
dwell set wrong

 

[bruceb58]

In addition:

bad spark plug wires
bad plugs
plugs with too wide of a gap.

I am betting missing resistor wire though. With points closed, what is the voltage measured for the positive terminal of the coil to ground of the engine?

 

[bbrad9151]

I don't leave the ignition on while hanging out on the lake, learned that lesson the hard way. But dwell is set to factory specs, it's a internally resistive coil, I have new plugs with factory spec gap. I'll check voltage at coil and I didn't think about plug wires I will order new ones and see what happens, thanks for all the replies

 

[bruceb58]

If it's internally resisted then you don't need a ballast resistor and you don't need to do the voltage check unless you think your alternator is outputting too high in which case you battery would be dying as well.