1955 evinrude 25hp no spark

[Chris 1987]

I recently picked up an old evinrude I was told it had bot been started for 10+ years but it was kept in garage. It looks like it was well cared for but would not start. After some research I decided to change the coils, points, condensers, plug wires and boots. It had a spark before I started but it was extremely weak. Now I have nothing. I have never done this before and do not have a lot of experience with motors but usually can do what I start out to do. When I replaced all the items on the magneto I did one side at a time so I know (or at least am pretty sure) that everything was replaced correctly. What could the problem be?

 

[F_R]

Most common problem is even new points may not be clean. Try a bit of solvent and pull a piece of clean paper through them. I assume you have set them at .020" at widest opening.

 

[Chris 1987]

Yes. They r set at .020. And I tried cleaning them with 1000 grit sandpaper. I will strike some cleaner on them.

 

[Chris 1987]

Yes they r set to .020. Cleaner didn't help.

 

[racerone]

Are the wires hooked up to the correct set of points?----------You hooked them up the same as they were , but maybe that is why it has not run in a long time.--------Pictures of the magneto will help.---------Flywheel key is in place ?

 

[racerone]

Is the cutout switch wired up correctly ?

 

[Chris 1987]

Sorry for the late response. For some reason the box to post was net there. I had to come into work for a couple hours but I will try and get pics up when I get home. Key is in place. The cutout is wired up how it was when I got it. I believe the wires r going to the correct plug but at this point does it matter when I am just trying to get spark? I put old plugs back in and I have a really faint spark. I can feel it if I touch bottom of plug but don't see when when I ground the plug. The new plugs are from a local boat place so they should be correct but.maybe not. I have it back together now and it doesn't fire at all. Assuming it's due to lack of spark but maybe something else.

 

[Chris 1987]

So... I got it figured out. I am an idiot. Didn't have the boots on the wires correctly. New question... I got it to fire twice by spraying carb cleaner in the carb so I am assuming now I just have to get those needles set right. Any suggestions on where to start with both of those needles?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

look under the top secret files for how do i adjust my carbs the top secret files are the first thread of this forum.

 

[Chris 1987]

Thank you. This was helpful. I got it running!!! It is extremely rough but it's a start. It seems to be getting hot but I'm not sure how hot they r supposed to get??? It seems to be pumping a lot of water so I am not sure if it is supposed to be this hot or not. How far does the water intake need to be below water? Right now I am using a 32 gal trash can and it is about 2" below water. Thank you for the help.

 

[racerone]

Water level must be about 6 / 8 " above the water pump.-----Wait , you should install a new water pump when you get a used motor ?

 

[dkonrai]

those are some great running motors. here is one i brought back. it had not been started in years. coils were shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5WJ6KfiK4A&list=UUfiTmKelbegl699wIgknLaQ

 

[bigez151]

if its hard starting try using sea foam, do not use carb cleaner/starting fluid as it is a dry combustable as with seafoam is oil based and still provides lubrication as it combusts. try pulling your high speed needle(top needle on opening of carb) and spraying generous amounts of sea foam into it to breakup any dirt/oil and grime internally. general rule of thumb is you should always be able to touch the cyclinder head while its at operating temp w/out burning yourself. if its too hot to touch replace impeller immediatly

 

[Chris 1987]

It is pumping water at least as well as the one in the YouTube video posted above. I lowered it into the water about 6 more inches and it is running a lot cooler now. We are having trouble getting it to idle any lower than full open in neutral. We have been spraying gas/oil mix.into the carb to start it. We can start it without spraying but it takes awhile. I don't think it is pressurizing the tank correctly because it will die about a min (sometimes longer). I think seals on tank r fine but I need to replace lines between tank and motor. I hope to do this tomorrow. Is there anything else I should check for the pressurizing system other than lines?

 

[bigez151]

have you checked your fuel pump yet? if not you can do that by pulling the line from the pump to carb and crank to make sure fuel is being delivered to carb, also try replacing vacuum line from head to fuel pump old original lines can aquire a bit of carbon build up inside. You most certainly have a fuel delivery problem from the info that is given, carb float level, fuel pump, primer bulb, clogged lines, all posible causes

 

[Chris 1987]

I don't have a primer bulb. All the lines have been replaced but the one from the tank. I don't think this motor has a fuel pump because it has a pressurized tank. Again I am new to this so maybe it is supposed to have one and it is missing?

 

[Chris 1987]

I pulled the head off again and the pistons were really wet. I am going to replace the gasket (hopefully tomorrow) and see if that helps.

 

[Chris 1987]

Wow I am about to quit. Replaced head gasket, cleaned plugs and replaced fuel line to tank (there is an issue with tank I have in another thread). It took a couple mins but I got it started and it ran for 5 mins or so with me pumping the primer button on both high and low neutral idle. It was definitely getting hotter than it should of before because this was the longest it ran and u could barely tell it was running by touching the head. Tried for another hour to get it to start and it wouldn't. It would fire here and there but not run. Getting irritated.

 

[bigez151]

i did a bit of research and you are correct that motor has a line from cyclinder to tank to presurize tank. Alot of guys do away with that system and do a fuel pump conversion here if the link to the thread for further info

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...-seahorse-25-hp-pressure-tank-to-regular-tank

i do belive you have fuel delivery problem have you checked to make sure your carb float is set to the correct height?

 

[F_R]

There is no fuel pump on 1955 25hp motors, as originally built. They had pressure tank systems.