1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

On a somewhat different note, if I need to pull the flywheel to replace coils/points, etc. I have read that I will need "#8 hardened bolts" to prevent the threads stripping. Can anyone tell me where I would find hardened bolts?

Any hardware store should carry grade 8 bolts. You can use this chart to see the difference in markings between grades 2, 5, and 8; Bolt Depot - Bolt Grade Markings and Strength Chart

You could probably honestly get away with using grade 5 bolts (I have many times before), if grade 8 is not available.

Lastly, I tested out my new digital multimeter last night on some batteries and a wall socket and discovered there is something wrong with it. The display started out at 0.11 when I inserted the batteries and slowly kept rising until it now reads 3.21 yet would register no change when the leads were put onto brand new 1.5 V and 9 V batteries!

Are you sure you had the meter set on the right scales and voltage type? A/C for checking the wall, and D/C for the batteries?

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Thanks. I'll check out the local hardware store and see what their selection is!

Are you sure you had the meter set on the right scales and voltage type? A/C for checking the wall, and D/C for the batteries?

I set it to 200V AC for the wall socket (lowest setting it had for AC), then the next highest. It had a specific setting for 1.5 and 9 V batteries so that's what I set it to. But the numbers just kept slowly rising as long as I had it turned on. I'll exchange it for another model and see what happens.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Always nice to have confirmation I'm not crazy. I exchanged the multimeter and the new one reads every battery I tried it on and always goes back to zero.

First thing you need to do is disable the ignition so that you can crank the motor over for testing without starting. Simply grounding the plug leads should suffice for you.

When I ground the plug leads to check the voltage drop, what wires go where in order to do that?

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

When I ground the plug leads to check the voltage drop, what wires go where in order to do that?

You need some way to connect the metal clips inside the boot of spark plug wires (the boot that covers the end of the spark plug tip when installed) to bare metal on the block. Jumper wires with aligator clips work best. But anything you can get to positivly connect the clip to ground (with out it falling off) will work.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Yeah I use short little jumper wires with alligator clips on either end that have rubber boots over the clips. The rubber boots help hole them in place when you jam them into the spark plug boot, then clip the other end to a head bolt or good ground.

You wont find the bolts at Canadian Tire, but you will at Princess Auto. (Us Canadians version of Harbour Freight) Those of us on here that are animate about using grade 8 are the ones that have damaged lesser bolts, possibly damaging the flywheel, and causing a heck of a lot more work, especially on your Big Twin. Get the grade 8, unless you enjoy extra work Lesser bolts are fine for smaller hp motors in most cases, but I simply always use grade 8.

If you need anything or help Im not far from you in Hamilton.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Sounds good. I will make a trip to PA tomorrow when I am out picking up the new seals, sealer, etc. for the motor. Does anyone happen to know what thread size I should be looking for for a '59 Lark's flywheel?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Sounds good. I will make a trip to PA tomorrow when I am out picking up the new seals, sealer, etc. for the motor. Does anyone happen to know what thread size I should be looking for for a '59 Lark's flywheel?

Why did you lose your nut?

I also just read in your signature that you have a Javlein. Have any pics? I collect them.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Nope, still have the nut. I meant the threads on the holes to put the bolts into on the top of the flywheel. I'd like to avoid buying bolts and getting home to find they don't fit the flywheel.

I will look around for some pics of the Javelin. It's not too pretty and developed a few running issues in October that will have to beworked through next season. Yet another project!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

The bolts are 1/4-20 by about 3 or 4 inches long.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

+1. You'll need 3, (1/4 x 20 x 3") bolts. Make sure they're GRADE 8 as well. The bolts that come with the flywheel puller kits usually aren't strong enough and may strip the threads in the flywheel and/or break under load.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Also only thread them into the holes 7/16"....no more, no less.

Any more and you will go into the coil, any less and you will strip out the holes.

Make a mark on the threads with a sharpie, OR put shrink tubing over the threads, leaving 7/16" exposed, OR buy proper length shoulder bolts.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Thanks everyone! Got the necessary bolts and a whole bag of the various seals, washers, etc for the lower unit, new spark plugs, and a new set of coils, points and condensers.

I set to work on it and thought I might as well put the new plugs in so I knew where they were. Put the first plug in, finger tightened, got the torque wrench and set it to 20 ft/lbs (as set out in my copy of the condensed service data) and... the spark plug hole stripped. The plug came out with its threads full of metal. Clearly something went wrong but more importantly, how do I fix this?

I see others have recommended Helicoil inserts? Any thoughts or recommendations? At least it's just the one hole!

Thanks again!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

You have 2 options. You can helicoil the hole, or you can find a replacement head. Ill look through my stuff, if I have a spare head Ill mail it to you, not sure if I have one for a '59 though with the t stat, but will look.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

That would be great!

I did manage to get the borrowed battery hooked up and the starter spins just fine so must have been the loose connections with the jumper cables. Thanks for everybody's help with that issue.

It seems I stripped out four of the threads but the last two are still in there and will at least hold a plug so as to keep moisture out. If a spare head can't be located does anybody know where good helicoil or similar kits can be obtained?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

That would be great!

I did manage to get the borrowed battery hooked up and the starter spins just fine so must have been the loose connections with the jumper cables. Thanks for everybody's help with that issue.

It seems I stripped out four of the threads but the last two are still in there and will at least hold a plug so as to keep moisture out. If a spare head can't be located does anybody know where good helicoil or similar kits can be obtained?

It will be cheaper to get the dealer to put one in for you. Saves you the cost of the kit unless you plan on using it alot.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

It will be cheaper to get the dealer to put one in for you. Saves you the cost of the kit unless you plan on using it alot.

I sure hope I won't have to do this again! I'm stumped how it happened. Do spark plug holes usually strip when torqued to the specs? I can't imagine so.

Assuming I can't locate a head replacement, where would I go to get that rethreaded?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Gotta be careful torquing old things, but you are not the first one that had this happen I can assure you.

I usually just put the plugs in by feel. Snug them up, then another 1/8 or 1/4 turn or so and thats it.

Im not sure in TO, but in hamilton there is a BRP dealer on the mountain called Bay City Marine. Im sure there is a dealer near you that could do it. Short of that, any type machine shop with a helicoil kit can do it.

I usually have 3 or 4 of every motor that I have, so I just swapped the head the 1 time it happened to me.

The only heads for the Big Twins I have are on motors right now. Im sure if I made a couple calls I could get one for you. Ill get back.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

That's what I have done every other time I've ever changed a spark plug but I figured the specs were what the designers intended so better go by them. I will be reverting tomy former practice from now on.

Good to know that if I can't locate a head there is an option! I wish I had the space for 3 or 4 spares but I think my fiancee might say something, pretty quickly too!

Thanks for checking! I'll keep my fingers crossed that your search is successful.

 

[Gr8ham]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Also, managed to get the flywheel to pop so am busily replacing the coils, point and condensers. Wow were the coils in rough shape. It's astonishing they could produce any spark at all!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1959 Evinrude Lark - Starting Problems!!

Yea, I believe it. I'll tell you what. Completely clean that mag plate and put new components on it, that motor will amaze you.


Then again, if you would have read post #4, you would have got it running before there was a page two.