1958 Evinrude Lightwin Problem

[Herb Stiles]

I have a 1958 3 HP Lightwin that runs great, but not all the time.
It starts nearly the second pull every time, idles and purrs like a kitten.
But in full throttle, it seams to run on one cylinder for a few minutes and then it will kick in and run like a top on both cylinders until you stop and start it back up again? And same thing all over again....
Someone told me that it might be possibly the reed valve sticking causing the problem?
I don't have a manual, I will be attempting to find the reed valve without the parts illustration.
Can you offer me some guidance, possibly a parts schematic to help me?
Also, will I be able to find a replacement part if I find it defective?
Thanks for your help.
Herb Stiles
Whitehouse, Ohio

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Lightwin Problem

i think i would inspect the electrics under the flywheel. sounds more like a coil breaking down.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Lightwin Problem

Absolutely, most likely cause is a cracked coil. It IS NOT a reed valve. Don't even think about that. And it isn't a carburetor problem either, so don't go there either.

You can take a peek at the coils by removing the recoil starter and the thin plate on top of the flywheel.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Lightwin Problem

Just a reminder,
Don't forget to use a harmonic balancer to pull the flywheel instead of ruining it by beating it off with a hammer. You'll need 3 hardened #8 bolts about 4 or 5 inches long with 1/4-20 threads to use with the balancer puller. you can get a cheap one at any auto parts store. They should have the coils at a NAPA store as well. The coils are easy to change and readily available here at iboats or vintageoutboards.com, or laingsoutboards.com or just about anywhere that sells OMC parts. They'll only cost you about 25 bucks apiece and it's not that much more to just go ahead and buy the points and condensers, too. Myself, I'd probably just replace the bad coil. When it's pulling it's "one cylinder" thing, pull one of the plug wires and if it dies, then that wire is going to the good coil, if not, that's probably your bad one. I'd try the other to be sure, though.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[Herb Stiles]

Re: 1958 Evinrude Lightwin Problem

Thank you everyone for your help. I will get into it this weekend and let you all know how it all works out. Thanks again.