58 or 59 Evinrude?

[gundy69]

I just picked up a 35hp Evinrude Lark. The cover has a golden jubilee emblem which leads me to think it's a 1959. However the model number is RDS ?0..can't quite make it out...1958 was RDS20 and 1959 was RDS21. So I think I may have a 58 engine with a 59 cover but not sure. Does anyone know of another way to determine one from the other? Also, would appreciate any advice on where to get parts. If it helps, the ser no is 1842226.

Thanks

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

You've got a mixed breed there. The RDS-20 is a 1958 Johnson Super Sea Horse. The Golden Jubilee hood is off a 1959 Evinrude Lark 35. Basically the same motors and pretty much all parts will interchange. The Johnson chassis will be white. The Evinrude's will be silver/gray...
- Scott

 

[gundy69]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

Thanks. The color is kind of blue-ish so it's probably the Evinrude
- Tom

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

Could be blue, too - I forgot there was also a Big Twin 35 model in 1959, too... fewer bells and whistles than the Lark model...
- Scott

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

So, is the RDS-20 model number on the transom mount plate? If so, at least the chassis is from the 1958 Johnson. The cowling fit either brand, so there were lots of swaps over the years. Lots of powerhead swaps, too, since the Big Twins from 1958 and several years after were simple boltups.

No matter. If you get it running well, it's a great outboard. Bullet proof and suprisingly torquey. My favorite 50s and 60s outboard, by far.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

the clincher is wheather it has single water tube or double water tube.

 

[gundy69]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

Thanks folks and sorry for my late reply. I was away....unfortunately not boatingyet though! Anyway, the RDS-20 is on the transom mount and it has a single water tube.

thanks again for your help.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

All RDS-20s had the double water tube. So...what appears to have happened here is that someone used an RDS-20 midsection or just the transom mount to replace a broken one on a different motor. That happens a lot, too, since the transom mount stuff does break sometimes.

Check the engine itself for a core plug, which may have the model and serial number on it.

Sounds like you have yourself an eariler Big Twin. In 1958, they did also make a 35 without the outer silencing housing. That was the last of those.

 

[gundy69]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

Hi Again.
The plot thickens..........
There is what may be a round freeze plug on it, with a stamped aluminum plate.
It's a little beat up though, but the
First line is VIN??DE
Second line 35316
Third is 20960

Thanks,
Tom

 

[gundy69]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

I think I have it folks!
VIN??DE is Evinrude (Duh!)
and what I thought was 35316 is really 35516 which belongs to the 1959 Evinrude Lark
Looks like the engine cover was right all along and the transom mount must have been replaced at some point.
FYI: I found the number on a list of Repair Manuals at www.MarineEngine.com

Thank you all very much for your help!
Tom

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 58 or 59 Evinrude?

Let us know if we can help in any other way. There are several of us here who have or have had Big Twins of that vintage and love them. There are few questions you won't get an answer for.