pgiro 36 #1 Posted January 13, 2019 I have a 1977 D-160 with the Onan BF-MS/3265F engine and once again I have no spark. Has anyone ripped out the points and condenser and upgraded to HEI? Seems like it would be a big improvement. Any experience with this? Thanks in advance, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #2 Posted January 27, 2019 @pgiroWhat is failing for it not having spark? Is it always the same failure? I am not sure if anyone here has ever done that modification for that particular engine. I spend a lot of time on Brian Miller's site looking at that conversion although for a single cylinder. It really should be the same for yours just with a double coil. You can take a look .Its towards bottom of page. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pgiro 36 #3 Posted January 27, 2019 Found out it was the coil again. This is now the second coil I've replaced. Don't know if the new coils are just junk or something is causing it to blow coils. Anyways, it's running again. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,630 #4 Posted January 27, 2019 5 hours ago, formariz said: Brian Miller's site looking at that conversion although for a single cylinder. It really should be the same for yours just with a double coil. I was thinking the same thing. Brian is a Kohler guy, but it should work. Since the coil has been the problem I don't think getting rid of the points and condenser is the solution. http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/catalog.htm#cranktrigger 33 minutes ago, pgiro said: Don't know if the new coils are just junk or something is causing it to blow coils. What brand coil are you having problems with? Lots of people have been using Harley twin coils with good results. I think they require an external ballast resistor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pgiro 36 #5 Posted January 28, 2019 Don't remember the brand of coil I bought. Seemed like a no-name brand. I got the first one off of eBay and this one I bought on Amazon. But they say they are specifically for the Onan engines with points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #6 Posted January 28, 2019 Should also replace spark plug cables. A bad one with too high resistance will cause coil to go bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pgiro 36 #7 Posted January 28, 2019 Good to know. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #8 Posted January 28, 2019 Often ignored item that is the culprit many times. Should be changed as a routine maintenance item such as in a car. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onanparts.com 178 #9 Posted February 3, 2019 On 1/27/2019 at 7:30 PM, pgiro said: Don't remember the brand of coil I bought. Seemed like a no-name brand. I got the first one off of eBay and this one I bought on Amazon. But they say they are specifically for the Onan engines with points. The ebay and amazon coils are right off the boat from China. The prices are dirt cheap, because they are made dirt cheap.....probably in a chinese factory with dirt floors! The genuine Onan coils also arrive via boat, but from Japan, and have been since the early eighties. Not cheap, but are high quality and last for decades. If you can still find them, the older US made Harley and GM coils are a good alternative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
