1978 85 HP Evinrude Questions

[fire831]

I have a 1978 85 HP Mod # 85899C. I am replacing the Head gaskets, head cover gaskets, and both exhaust cover gaskets, plus a new water pump and new screens by the water inlet. I have a Evinrude service manual but need to know the torque specs for the bolts on the head covers,exhaust cover and bolts to the lower unit. I forgot to mention I'm also putting new thermostats in it. This motor has been setting for a few years and when I started it it ran fine but was leaking water around the gaskets I mentioned. The cylinder walls look great and the sides of the pistons (that I could see with the exhaust cover off) look great also. The rings appear to be free also. The inside of the motor is clean with very little carbon build up on the tops of the pistons. Another question I have is the head gasket was only available thru a dealer. NAPA did not even list the 85 HP for this year for a head gasket. I got the first set of gaskets I ordered and they were the wrong part number but were nearly identical and $16.75 each. I took them back and got the ones it called for Part # 318662 and they were $46.75 each. Is there something special about this year with the head gaskets? What a shock when I went to get them babies. Thanks for any info.

 

[fire831]

Re: 1978 85 HP Evinrude Questions

One more thing to add. As I was putting one of the head covers on, one of the plug wires came out of the coil. My question is how do these go back in? Do they just push in and seal them or am I gonna have to get a new coil? The wire looks fine and I cut about a quarter inch off the end that was in the coil and the wire inside looks good. There is a plastic piece that was around the wire where it goes in the coil that the corner is broke off but does not look like it opened up the coil. Thanks again for any help.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1978 85 HP Evinrude Questions

The torque specs are in the Torque Chart right near the beginning of your service manual page 2-5.

Use a bore brush to clean out your bolt holes before you remount your cylinder heads and water covers. Junk builds up over the years and the bolts bottom out before the real torque setting is reached.

Put the cylinder head and water head on a piece of plate glass so that you can look at the surface to see if it is even.

The most important thing about the gaskets is that they are new stock and not some 25 year old stuff that they are pulling out of a bin. Try to find a high volume dealer.


The wires screw in clockwise.

 

[fire831]

Re: 1978 85 HP Evinrude Questions

Thanks. The place I got the head gaskets had to order them in so hopefully there not to old. I'm gonna replace the thermostats and when I took the housing off there are no thermostats in there. Also what is the purpose of the poppet valves? Mine were not in very good shape and NAPA did not show any at there warehouses so I hope I can find some somewhere else fast. I'm gonna put the thermostats back in along with new springs and poppet valves when I find some.I've got to get this baby on the water.