1977 Sears Eska "NEED HELP"

[cadroncreek]

I have a 1977 Sears Eska, Model 217.585850 by the serial tag on the motor.

My first problem is the gas to oil ratio i need to know what is the best. What would the motor do if the ratio was wrong? too much oil? or not enough oil?

Basically the motor cranks right up and it's loud and shakes something fierce but it seems to start easy. It will idle no problem, runs like a champ but when i put it in gear it doesnt run very well it will start spitting and acting like it is going quit. i can tell the thrust isnt very good. It will push my boat but very slow, and when it does push my boat it feels like it will thrust and then back off...kind of like driving your car and giving it alot of gas and then backing off over and over again. It is almost like the motor isnt getting the gas when i put it in gear. Any help would be appreciated

 

[keith-uk]

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "NEED HELP"

See what the compression is like on the engine, It will start and run ok, but in drive it will try to run but has not got the power. also turn the prop, see if its not stopping or holding the engine back.
Do not know oil ratio, but pull out the plug and have a look at the colour.

 

[cadroncreek]

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "NEED HELP"

How do i tell how much compression?

 

[winman99]

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "NEED HELP"

32:1 fuel/oil ratio. Believe it or not, the service manual calls for TCW oil (Today's equivalent is TCW-3), probably due to the bottom end and exhaust port being liquid cooled.
I had an older 5HP Eska with the same symptoms as your motor, and it ended up I was losing compression out the head. After several years of the old one-banger vibrating itself half to death, the head bolts losened. Once I solved that mystery, it ran fine for a long time to come. I don't have a compression number for you, sorry.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "NEED HELP"

Normally 100 psi is considered an ideal minimum.It will run fine on less.
Many times when a motor fades or boggs under a load it is a fouled carb.
needs a rebuild with special attention to passages and jets.It has a water cooled leg; water should mist out the relief holes.If it has a clutch it doesn't pump in neutral.Be sure it is imersed in water up to the mounting bracket.
While a few have sucess with these motors they are finicky,noisy,vibrate
and under powered.My suggestion would be get her running as good as possible with minimum investment sell it and put the money toward a main line motor like the Evinrude/Johnson 5,5.5,6,7.5 and 8 hp twins.

 

[cadroncreek]

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "My Next Problem"

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "My Next Problem"

Well i think i found the problem....I picked up the motor by the head and the head came completely off the leg...Any ideas how to fix this...i see the bolts, but how do you tighten them?

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "My Next Problem"

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "My Next Problem"

My after market manual isn't to clear but it appears there are 6 bolts or studs the secure the exhaust collector to the power head with 8 or 10 various adapter plates and gaskets.Is there a clearance problem for the bolts?Can't you just tighten them? Are the bolt heads on the inside with nuts on the outside.Perhaps the bolts are held by a flange so to tighten the nuts on the outside.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 1977 Sears Eska "NEED HELP"

On the one I have here, not sure of the year, there's a small four bolt flange that the motor itself bolts to the upper plate with. Then the exhaust connections. Most of those read about 120-135psi compression.

I don't mess with those too much but seem to have gathered quite a collection out back of old Eska motors over the years.