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Posts: 1
| I've got a 1966 Evinrude that belonged to my Grandfather. It hasn't been started in about 15 years and I would like to try using it this summer. What precautions or maintenance should I do before I try starting it up? |
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| First thing I would do is take the spark plug(s) out and put a table spoon of oil down the cylinder(s). Without inserting the plug, pull the starter rope a few times slowly, just to coat the surface a little and free things up.
I would also buy new plugs for it.
Then, check the fuel pump screen to make sure it is not varnished or clogged in any way.
With that age of motor, I would replace all the fuel lines...those lines are old and will not hold up to updated gas formulations...might get some deterioration inside the old hoses which will eventually clog the carb.
From there, fresh gas and give her a go.
I would maybe look at rebuilding the carb as well. you may have leaking problems due to dry gaskets and potentially a stuck float bowl too...
It'll definitely be nice to hear a motor of that vintage purr away...
Good luck!!
Steve |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | possibly replace the wter pump also |
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| second vote for checking/ changing the water pump |
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Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | If you can get to the high & low speed needle jets, count the turns in until they seat, then unscrew until they come out, becarefull of any "O" rings or gaskets and spray some carb cleaner in the holes. This will aid in removing any junk gas residue that may have coated the carb bowl. Put the needle jets back in where they were and hopefully it will start.
Netman |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | My repair shop has a sign that goes along the lines of: "Old outboard motors are quaint and have a lot of memories, but do you want to trust your life and the lives of your family to a thirty year old engine?"
That said, I'd take it to a qualified shop for a thorough overhaul. Rings, seals (nobody's mentioned the lower unit here!), have them go over it all real good before you venture out on the water and find the problem you (and we) might have missed. m
Edited by mikie 5/10/2005 12:03 PM
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| My father used to own a 1986 merc 50 hp that had trouble all the time...carbs, electrical, you name it. He decided to pull out his old 1973 Johnson 20 hp and it started on the 3rd pull. Had the carb readjusted just a touch and it was good to go...and that was after sitting for 10+ years. Those 30 year old motors in many ways were more reliable than the motors of today. They were simplistic in design with few parts to go wrong.
I'd trust that 32 year old motor with my life.
Much of it goes into how well the motor has been taken care of.
I'll bet that if your old motor is in nice shape and never had problems 15 years ago, it will purr like a kitten almost right away..
Steve |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | My '74 johnson 25 runs better then my brothers '84 25 johnson or my '95 40 evinrude....my '49 5 hp johnson runs better then all. (I don't like how my warning horn on the 40 goes off when I am idling, stupid motor just ain't made to run slow...) |
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starting old moter