1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

[squirrelsurf69]

Ok. I recently bought a boat with a 1958 Evinrude 35ph Big Twin. the serial number is 25936-03899. I was first wondering what the second part of the serial number meant? The previous owner said the engine ran great, but was then stored for 2 years outside. When I asked him to start it he tried, but nothing happened. I realize you may think I should have walked away, but i got a great deal, and figured I could repair it, or buy a new engine.

Here is the problem:

When the previous owner went to start it, he turned the key, and all I heard was a click (at the starter solenoid). I took it home, and began to inspect it. My voltmeter showed 11.5 volts at the battery, and 11.5 volts at the starter solenoid. It also showed 11.5 volts across the starter solenoid when I tried to start it. I measured the voltage at the starter, and got 5.6 volts. Does this indicate a bad potion of wiring from the solenoid to the starter? The engine was a bit dirty, and some of the wires were a little frayed, NOT inlcuding the wire that ran to the starter, or its ground.

I removed the starter, and was going to test it by hooking it directly to the battery to see if it would spin. When I did nothing happened accept a drop in voltage from the battery from 11.5 to 6 volts. The starter was slightly warm as well. When I disconnected it, the battery read 9 volts. Was that a stupid way to test the starter? Why did it suck so much juice from the battery? Does the starter need a certain voltage to even spin up?

The engine also has a pull start, but it is not smooth, and is somewhat difficult to pull. It is jerky. Any ideas why?I can pull it all the way, and each time it seems a little bit easier. I don't mind pull starting it every time, but can get it going that way either. Plus an electric start would be awesome. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My guess is that the starter is bad, and maybe some

 

[kbait]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

First, use a known-good battery. If the voltage dropped that much, it must be out of charge/shot, even while not spinning the starter.

The starter should be able to be turned by hand. If it's rust-stuck, you'd have to dismantle to fix.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

welcome to iboats squirrelsurf!

There's some very good threads for research on your motor in the "top secret files" section that I think you'd find interesting, such as the "awakening a sleeping outboard" thread.
Here's a link:



I think you should spray some wd-40 into the spark plug holes, and some into the carb throat, let it soak a while, and pull the motor through a few times to see if it loosens up some. I think that motor has a compression release, so you may need to check that as well to be sure it's working properly.
You need a $6 spark tester from autozone to check for spark, as well. Don't be tempted to spray some starting fluid or carb cleaner into the carb throat to get it to start. Mix up a little dab of fuel and 2-stroke oil in a squirt bottle and use that if you have to.
You should be prepared to check for spark, replace coils/clean points as necessary, clean the carb., check the water pump impeller(be prepared to replace it), and check the lower unit oil to make sure no water is in it.
All this is not difficult and not that time consuming, either.

As for the electric starter, you should take it off, disassemble it, and clean all contact points with a wire brush. I mean every single contact point for every wire you can find. Then charge your battery! It should show about 14 volts fully charged. Those starters are incredibly simple and no problem to tear apart and reassemble. Just don't break the brushes when reassembling it.
If you're nervous, just clean all the contact points for all wires, charge your battery, and give it another shot. Don't let the starter get too warm from using low voltage or you could burn it up.

There's an easy way to bypass the solenoid. If it still doesn't work with a good battery and clean connections, just holler.
Those are good motors and easy to work on.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[squirrelsurf69]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

Ok. Thanks to all that replied to my issue I was having. So I finally got it running. It had ok compression in both cylinders (65 psi), but I wasn't getting a spark. So I pulled the flywheel, and saw all sorts of grease and dirt on the points. Cleaned it off, and it started right up. Aparently, the previous owner had replaced the points, condensors, and magnetoes. I am super stoked. I do have more questions though.

My boat goes pretty slow for having a 35hp. I understand that it is a classic engine and all, but the boat goes probably only 15 maybe 20 mph at full throttle. the boat I have is a 16ft Silver Line Riviera. Its a deep V fiberglass boat, and it is pretty light. Would a different prop increase my speed? How can I adjust my engine for top performance? I'd like to gain about 10 more mph if possible. Oh and when I advance the throttle all the way, it kinda sputters. Back it off a little bit, and it runs fine. Any ideas whats causing this?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

It sounds like the throttle plate and timing are out of synchronization. If you do a search for "link and sync" you may find some old threads which describe exactly how to do it. I'll look for one and try to post a link .
JBJ

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

16ft runabout next door goes 23 MPH with a 40 and a fresh setup, my 16.5 fibreglass bowrider does 40mph with a 90hp V-4, 20 mph is great for what it's on, it's fibreglass and heavy, if it were on an aluminum boat you'd do much better. If you want 10 more mph you may want to put a 50+ on it.

 

[The original Smokey]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

Your motor doesn't have any top end power because the compression is so low. 65 PSI means it is shot. This doesn't have "good compression", it has very low compression.
Putzing with this is a waste of your time and money. A BigTwin with "good compression" should show numbers of at least 110 PSI, ideally in the 120's.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but somebody's got to tell you the facts.

All the adjusting in the world or spending big money on a prop won't make a worn out motor run right.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

I totally agree with your compression stats on that motor, but I don't think there's much of a chance it would ever idle with only 65psi of compression. Those gauges are so inaccurate that his gauge could easily be reading 65pis when it's really 110. Or, the compression releases could be stuck open.
Either way, I doubt if it runs at all that it really has 65psi if tested with a known accurate gauge.
I think BK is probably right. A 16ft deep V fiberglass is a pretty good load for a 35hp motor. The OP's boat may seem light to him, but I'll bet it's still much heavier than a 16ft aluminum.
I have a '56 30hp that has 135psi on both cylinders. I'd suspect even a 10hp OMC from the 50's would have a problem if it had 65psi on a cylinder.
JMO,
JBJ

 

[squirrelsurf69]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

Well thanks for all of your input. I really doubt me putzing with this engine is a bad idea, especially considering I could deal with an engine with low compression for $0 or buy some overpriced new engine to the tune of about $3000. I'll just deal with the lower speed and performance. Thanks for all the help everybody.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

Oh ya, enjoy it, it's not a speed demon motor and never will be, back when I had my 16ft Tracker with a 50 on it , 32 MPH max with only me in it and that's an aluminum boat. I laugh at some of the craigslist posters with their 17 ft bowriders with a 40 big twin who claim they do 45 MPH on the water.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

I agree with JBjennings on the compression. That gauge you have is probably inaccurate. I borrowed one from Autozone that reported very low readings like in the 60s. Then I borrowed a 2nd gauge from Oreillys and it read over 110 lbs. So the moral of the story is, if you get very low readings try another gauge before thinking the motor is junk.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Big Twin Won't Start

Yea, I agree with jasper. I think once the motor has ran for a while, I would re-check the compression and try another guage too. 65 psi doesn't seem right for that motor. I would also check the compression relaeases and see that they're gapped right. If these are sticky, then they can give you false readings too.