A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

srukke

Seaman
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
52
Did a couple hours work on a friends outboard and got several old outboards in exchange. One looked like a pile of crap but beneath the crap lied a 1917 Evinrude model AA 4-stroke 2 cylinder. A fairly rare motor made for 2 years and considered a boat anchor by those that had them. It was only one of 4 motors given to me but it was the one I saw immediately in the pile of old worn out motors. The tank was crushed and rotten through. The mag plate was missing. The carb, intake and exhaust are missing. But this was the infamous Evinrude flop of the early 20th century. I couldn't scrap it so I saved every nut and bolt and piece I could. I am starting to reassemble it now but it's fairly incomplete. Been told by some knowledgeable people that I will probably never get the needed parts for it. People have offered to buy the parts but again, I don't want to scrap it. This motor is too unique. Advanced for it's year, actually too advanced and difficult to run. In disassembling this motor I found a crank with a gear on the top that runs a camshaft that operates a two-valve intake system that also runs a 2-valve exhaust system. This motor us different in that it has no coil or mag plate. It has a date correct brass timer with wiring that would go to a buzz box or batter coil. The entire lower unit is brass, the motor crankcase a combo of brass and cast iron. It is missing some very difficult parts to acquire. It is missing it's Kingston 5 ball carburetor marine application. It is missing 1 cylinder, 1 piston, 2 connecting rods, intake and exhaust, the mag plate and coils and probably a few other parts but those are the majors. I unsoldered all the brass parts from the gas tank and saved them. It's too cool to scrap and so I have resigned myself to waiting and watching for parts. It's worth it. Oh and did I add, it has a reverse rotation prop set up. Only one I've seen and different that all the literature. Would love to hear opinions on what to do with it. Been blasting and restoring it. Here it is so far. DSC_5414.jpgDSC_7159.jpgDSC_7069.jpgDSC_7345.jpgDSC_7343.jpg
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Looks like it's going to be a labor of love. Good luck with finding everything you need.
 

HighTrim

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
10,486
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

I truly admire your dedication to preserve it! Good for you.

The bad news is the missing parts will be a bugger to find. Have you tried Doug Penn? I would start with him.

Doug Penn's Antique Outboards and Used Parts

The good news is that all the parts are not specifically for that motor. So that opens things up a bit for you. Hopefully T2 see this and comments. He is my go to guy on RBMs.
 

V153

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
1,764
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Very cool. 4 stroke? Really?! Ya that'd definitely be kinda rare.

Great project. Good luck with it!

Fwiw I'm monkeyin around with a '37 Waterwitch.
 

srukke

Seaman
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
52
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Doug actually offered to buy it from me. He says that everyone he knows that has one, even incomplete ones, won't sell even a nut or bolt off them. I doubt I'll ever find all the parts as the exhaust manifolds and heads are unique to this motor. But they did use them, I believe anyway, on some water pumps from that time. It was an interesting motor to rebuild with the valves, springs, camshaft etcetera. Definitely different from my 1915 and 1920 Evinrude model A's.

There were 995 1916 model AA's and only 403 1917's made. that's pretty rare. Not too many around anymore.
 

82rude

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
4,082
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

nice .would love to have that as a kicker for my woody.:joyous:
 

kodibass

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 10, 2010
Messages
865
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Get Dough to arrange a meet with all interested owners, see if between all thats available could put a couple complete ones together, then do some sort of group share owner ship to display them at museums, AOCI MEETS & other events etc.
 

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

I'm sure that you already are a member or is at least familiar with the Antique Outboard Club ( The Antique Outboard Motor Club Website - AOMCI.org) which has the members and the literature that know that engine and could help you out possibly.

On the subject of old Evinrudes, their E-NATION magazine recently had an article on the very early rowboat motors.

Technical Tidbits: The Detatchable Rowboat Motors – The Early Evinrude Outboards | Evinrude Nation Community
 

srukke

Seaman
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
52
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Thank you everyone for the comments and suggestions. Here's my 1915 I finished restoring recently. I love these old motors. What started out as something to do last summer has now resulted in a collection of about 20 motors. Three of them I have fully restored, a '47 Merc Rocket - KD4S, a 1915 Evinrude model A, and a '28 Johnson model A-35. Bought a '27 Lockwood T-72 fully restored and I'm currently working on about a half dozen motors all at the same time. I'm hopelessly addicted. DSC_6617.jpgDSC_6603.jpgDSC_4873.jpgIMG_3026.jpgIMG_3024.JPG
 

srukke

Seaman
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
52
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Forgot the Lockwood. DSC_4092.JPG$(KGrHqNHJCsE-nMJ454BBP1kDKrb7w~~60_58.JPGDSC_5664.jpgDSC_3562 (Large).jpg
 

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Your craftsmanship and attention to detail is outstanding !

The "rowboat" motors are my favorites but I do like all kinds of old iron.
 

evinrudeaa

Recruit
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Messages
3
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Did you see Bob Grubb has one on his web sight Restored ,, non finner !

But I happen to pick one up yesterday , its been painted about 5 differant colors ,, and is also missing the carb and stater plate , and could you tell me what that brass part on top of the crank case is , Grease cup or ? mine is missing that also ,, and what does your fly wheel say on top ,pat, dates ,,

Thanks for your help , and keep up the great work ! !
 

srukke

Seaman
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
52
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

1916 is the last patent date. The brass mechanism is a timer. This motor has had the mag plate and coil removed and the timer installed with wiring to run off a buzz box coil. The timer is date correct so I'm not sure when the conversion was made.
 

evinrudeaa

Recruit
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Messages
3
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

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I know next to nothing on how this type fires , is it aternating ? I am wondering if mine has the wrong flywheel ? it says magnito on it and there is a cam on the top crank , I am guessing that this one wont ever be complete But its neat to display,,,,,

Thanks again for your help ,,,,,,,,,,
 

srukke

Seaman
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
52
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

These motors have a cam that operates the valves. It has 4 valves. The cam is driven off gears on the crank. Although they are 4-stroke you still have to mix oil in the gas.
 

evinrudeaa

Recruit
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Messages
3
Re: A rare 1917 Evinrude Mode AA, 4-stroke 2 cylinderl

Hello again , Thanks for all the help and info ,, I know have decided to keep and restore it ,, but if decide to part is out or sell it whole and put the money in other projects , , Let me know , I do need the timer for sure , and would be very greatfull, Thanks again very much and Happy motoring !
 
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