1969 55hp evinrude

[Loball]

I have a 1969 55hp evinrude.

replaced a couple fuses and spark plugs and it will crank and flywheel spins but it’s not starting and running. I got fuel to it as well. Any ideas???

 

[racerone]

Is there spark ?----Good spark on those will jump a gap of 3/8 with ease.---It only came with 1 fuse ( 20 amp ) when it left the factory I think.-------A new to you motor ?

 

[Loball]

I assumed there was spark since I changed plugs but I’ll double check. And the fuse I changed was for the electric start. Yes this is a new motor to me

 

[racerone]

Well ----the spark plugs do not make the spark ! !-----You need a good battery.-----Working amplifier -----Working coil.----Good rotor -----Good distributor cap.----You have some trouble shooting to do.----Best to do a complete evaluation of this motor before you spend any money.----Your location ?

 

[Loball]

Indeed I do but I am so new to this so I have no idea how to troubleshoot.

I live in Savannah TN

 

[rat boat]

I thought they still had mag and point ignition, not solid-state. maybe bigger motors like that do. On mine, Evinrude changed to SS in '77.

 

[rat boat]

they should spark without a battery.

 

[Loball]

I wish I had the knowledge to get this thing going. I really want to get out on the water

 

[racerone]

RAT BOOT-----NO, NO----That motor has a battery powered electronic ignition !!!----Hydro-electric shifting in the lower unit too.----Johnson / Evinrude started with battery powered breakerless , electronic sparkers in 1967 on the 100 HP model.----In 73 the big motors all used magneto powered electronic ignition !

 

[Loball]

Racerone can you pm me?

 

[Loball]

[No message]

 

[rat boat]

RAT BOOT-----NO, NO----That motor has a battery powered electronic ignition !!!----Hydro-electric shifting in the lower unit too.----Johnson / Evinrude started with battery powered breakerless , electronic sparkers in 1967 on the 100 HP model.----In 73 the big motors all used magneto powered electronic ignition !

Ok, I can clearly tell now from the photo. And it is rat boat.

 

[jimmbo]

What can you tell from the photo?

 

[jimmbo]

I assumed there was spark since I changed plugs but I’ll double check. And the fuse I changed was for the electric start. Yes this is a new motor to me

Point Gap is critical on this engine's Ignition System, 0.010".
The engine may still have the original Points, they usually lasted as long as the Engine, though they did still have Rubbing Block wear and would occasionally need resetting

 

[racerone]

Yah----I forgot to mention the breaker points and anti- reversing spring on that motor.---I have a few of these motor around for parts and pieces too.

 

[F_R]

A great motor and a break-through in engineering. That's why they called it a "Triumph" Unfortunately it was widely not understood at the time and still isn't. Not a good motor to learn on. But study up on how it works and gain your triumph in knowledge. It's not as complicated as it seems.

 

[rdh2059]

Loball, that is indeed a 1969 55hp Evinrude. I have one that works great. If you do not know anything about troubleshooting outboards or how to research things on the internet, you are going to be frustrated for a long time. Each and every motor is unique, with it's own set of issues. No one could magically tell you exactly each and every thing that is wrong with your engine, without actually having hands-on and performing a series of tests and checks.

Outboards need 3 things to run. Fuel, Fire(spark) and Air. The easiest thing to check is spark. Take one of the spark plugs out and connect set the metal (like near the threads) against the block of the engine, with the spark plug wire connected to it. Turn over the motor. If you are next to the spark plug, you should be able to see a thin blue spark at the tip of the spark plug. If you see it, you have spark. If you do not, research what causes spark issues with these motors (the ignition module is probably the biggest problem). Put the spark plug back in, btw... Now you can check fuel. Use a can of engine starting spray and spray about a 1 second spray in each carburetor. Now try to start the motor. If it kicks or starts for a few seconds, your engine is not getting fuel. Bunches of things to check here. Fuel filter, carb rebuilds (all three), bad fuel line, bad fuel pump, bad fuel tank, etc... This motor also has some safety features which can drive you crazy. The boat has to be in neutral to start. It will also not start, if you set throttle too high.

In my opinion, if you are an experienced mechanic, then you can look up how to troubleshoot outboards. Then get yourself a service manual for this exact motor and use it to work out everything that's wrong. That's if your patient and determined to do it by yourself...
If you are not an experienced mechanic, I would seriously consider taking the motor to an actual outboard mechanic and have them work on it. These motors are really a nice motor when they are all working properly, but have a lot of linkage, etc., that has to be precisely set and configured in very precise ways.

Good Luck,
RDH2059

 

[jimmbo]

Take one of the spark plugs out and connect set the metal (like near the threads) against the block of the engine, with the spark plug wire connected to it. Turn over the motor. If you are next to the spark plug, you should be able to see a thin blue spark at the tip of the spark plug. If you see it, you have spark.

That proves very Little, as it doesn't stress the Ignition System. Inside the Combustion Chamber when the Pressure rises the Voltage Requirements to jump the Plug Gap are way higher than at Atmospheric Pressure, which is why Racer said a "Good spark on those will jump a gap of 3/8 with ease"

 

[rdh2059]

Right, but no spark whatsoever definitively means spark issues. Again, I strongly believe this person needs to take the motor to an experienced boat motor mechanic, as they appear to have little or no experience with outboards and this motor is fairly complicated...