1970 evinrude lark 40

[Martint]

Hi,
I am currently working on a 1970 evinrude lark 40 model number 40073a.
The motor runs fine but will not shift into forward gear. Reverse works fine.
I’m looking for info on what to test/try before I get into the lower unit. I know nothing about the electric shift system on it.
A local mechanic told me to use transmission fluid instead of gear oil in the lower unit. Is this correct?
connections on the throttle controls look ok to me. (Haven’t checked for power yet)

any info or tips will help me getting this back running and on the water!
Thanks in advance

 

[JimS123]

Electric shifts do indeed use a different grade gear lube. OMC makes 2 different products and the bottles tell you which one is appropriate. I don't know about transmission fluid there are marine products available.

I had that same motor and had the very same problem. But my issue was that it happened out in the water and I was just above Niagara Falls. Try backing up against the current of the mighty Niagara just at sunset with no other boats around. Just as I got to a safe harbor I ran out of gas and the gas dock was closed.

But enough of my stories. That was a poor design. The electric cables ran right next to the exhaust tube. In my case the forward wire was fried from the heat. It was repaired under warranty and 2 years later it happened again.

Few others know about 50 year old electric shifts either. Good luck find a mechanic willing to work on it, or the parts to fix it.

 

[racerone]

Electric shift is wonderful and very reliable.-----Switch the 2 wires that go down into the lower unit and see if you get forward then.

 

[JimS123]

Electric shift is wonderful and very reliable.-----Switch the 2 wires that go down into the lower unit and see if you get forward then.

I realize that many people say that. Nevertheless, my experience has been quite the opposite. Not just self destructing wires, but stalling when shifting and just general poor performance.

I'm sure that an expert in the field could make one work, but back in the 1970's I just couldn't find one locally.

I had all but given up on OMC until I switched to a mechanical shift model.

I must also say that every electric I ever bought was brand new, and sold and serviced by a certified OMC dealer.

 

[racerone]

Stalling has nothing to do with the electric shift.

 

[Martint]

Electric shift is wonderful and very reliable.-----Switch the 2 wires that go down into the lower unit and see if you get forward then.

Good idea, I will try that today. If Forward works with the reverse wire I should run a new wire from the controls to the forward then right? Or just use it without reverse.

 

[Martint]

Electric shifts do indeed use a different grade gear lube. OMC makes 2 different products and the bottles tell you which one is appropriate. I don't know about transmission fluid there are marine products available.

I had that same motor and had the very same problem. But my issue was that it happened out in the water and I was just above Niagara Falls. Try backing up against the current of the mighty Niagara just at sunset with no other boats around. Just as I got to a safe harbor I ran out of gas and the gas dock was closed.

But enough of my stories. That was a poor design. The electric cables ran right next to the exhaust tube. In my case the forward wire was fried from the heat. It was repaired under warranty and 2 years later it happened again.

Few others know about 50 year old electric shifts either. Good luck find a mechanic willing to work on it, or the parts to fix it.

It’s for a friend of mine and he just wants it running. He’s not too picky so if he doesn’t have reverse it’s no problem. If it’s not a wiring issue I’m not comfortable getting into the lower unit assembly. I did find the coils for the lower unit but not sure he’s willing to pay $200 each for them. Let’s hope it’s just the wires that burnt out.

 

[racerone]

Used parts might be available.-----If in Canada------evinrudeparts.ca------might offer help.-----If forward now activates when you select reverse it means there is a problem with switch or wiring between controls and motor.----Might be as simple as wire fallen of the switch.

 

[Martint]

Used parts might be available.-----If in Canada------evinrudeparts.ca------might offer help.-----If forward now activates when you select reverse it means there is a problem with switch or wiring between controls and motor.----Might be as simple as wire fallen of the switch.

The first thing I checked was that the wires were on the switch. I am in Canada and found coils but $200 per coil in the lower unit is worth more than the boat and motor combined lol. I will update when I switch wires if it worked or not

 

[racerone]

Where in Canada ?

 

[Martint]

Ontario, just west of Ottawa

 

[racerone]

At the wires on the motor you can take ohm readings on the forward and reverse electromagnets.----Both should read the same value.

 

[JimS123]

Stalling has nothing to do with the electric shift.

I wish I had you to help me back then 50 years ago. My assumption was that there was some sort of shift interrupter that made the motor run like crap when you shifted. I can't tell you how many docks I rammed into. My dealer had been a master Evinrude dealer since the 1940's and his mechanics couldn't fix it. Not just an "it", but there were three 68-72 electrics that never satisfied me.

Since 1968 I have owned a dozen or so daily driver outboards (all bought new except for 2) and the only problems I ever had were those 3. Unreliable is an understatement.

Nevertheless, water under the bridge. They were trashed years ago.

 

[racerone]

Agreed------Electric shift on outboards is wonderful.-----Just not understood by many.----I hope you trust the 8 speed electronic controlled transmission in your modern vehicle.

 

[JimS123]

Agreed------Electric shift on outboards is wonderful.-----Just not understood by many.----I hope you trust the 8 speed electronic controlled transmission in your modern vehicle.

I haven't upgraded to an 8 speed yet. My guess is that the motivation is to better meet govt. fuel standards, not just because it's fancy, schmancy.

Regardless, technology has increased by leaps and bounds since 1970. Boy, I can't believe I had that old Lark 50 years ago!

I wonder why they stopped making electric shift outboards....?

 

[racerone]

They were very good ( in my opinion ) and reliable.---Friends had a 1966 Johnson 100 HP and never had issues with electric shift on it.-----Used it a lot.-----Some weekends that motor hardly had time to cool down between fishing , waterskiing and sight seeing.----Perhaps production costs entered the decision making process.-----Perhaps public perception of anything with electric at the time !--, ----What are modern outboards using to shift gears today ??

 

[JimS123]

What are modern outboards using to shift gears today ??

I own 4 late model Mercury 4-stroke outboards and all use a cable and mechanical shift. I don't know about other brands.

I do understand that there are fly-by-wire systems that shift electronically. That's "electronically", not electric. The actual gear shifting is done by a servo and the gears shift mechanically.

The old outdated electric shift OMCs electrically moved electromagnets in the lower unit. Apples and oranges.

Irregardless, all a mute point. No matter what old technology you want to discuss, there will be some that loved it and others that hated it.

 

[racerone]

Nope----The electromagnet did not move.----The electromagnet exerted a pull on a wrap spring.----That spring then grabbed on a drum attached to the gear.----Simple as could be !!

 

[F_R]

Agreed------Electric shift on outboards is wonderful.-----Just not understood by many.----I hope you trust the 8 speed electronic controlled transmission in your modern vehicle.

Actually, I just bought an eight speed last friday. Dang near everything on the truck is computerized. So far, so good.

EDIT: Well not so good. The tonneau (however you spell it) cover already tore up and the running board bent from standing on it. Hey aren't you supposed to step on a running board?

Back to Topic now.