Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

[schmooser]

Well, after spending most of my adult life wishing I had one, I have now "invested" in a small 15 foot cabin fishing boat. So assuming I don't have to spend my next few months making sure the thing floats I can turn my attention to the real star of boat fishing, of course the outboard!<br /><br />I have available (although not in my possession yet) a 1961 Evinrude Fisherman. My Father currently has it in a shed and it hasn't been used for at least 15 years. After a fair few evenings browsing and generally familiarising myself with typical problems etc. on the forum from you experts a few pointers and a bit of guidance would be appreciated before I bite the bullet go and pick up the engine and start ignoring my family for long periods of time in favour of much swearing and frustration in the garage on my new toy!<br /><br />So, enough rambling, what does it make sense to do as a starting point with the engine? i.e. what are the more "consumable" parts that I may as well replace while i've got the thing apart? I am guessing at: plugs, condensor, clean out carbs and replace gaskets, impellor. Yes, No, others?<br /><br />Also, my Dad seems to think it's stuck in (forward) gear. Is this a common problem, or are there known likely reasons for this to narrow down my initial, amatuerish, "just take it apart and see" kind of approach!<br /><br />And yes, I think I've picked up enough to know I should get hold of a manual, Seeloc or equivalent, so am planning on getting one before I start! <br /><br />Anyone know any UK suppliers of manuals, and perhaps more importantly UK suppliers of Evinrude parts?<br /><br />Just how addictive is this "get hold of a sick outboard and fix it up" lark. Should I stop now before I even start ............

 

[JB]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

Hello, Schmooser.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />You have a good plan. Next, give us the model number off the engine just to confirm its age.<br /><br />I recommend that you get an OEM Service Manual, rather than the Seloc. It is much more specific and detailed.<br /><br />Fixing up non-operational outboards is very addictive to most, but it is a good, healthy addiction. If you have a son or daughter to join you in the effort it is even better.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

The majority of the 60 vintage engines ussally get stuck in gear because they were shifted into with the throttle advanced to far, causing the shift interlock to bind

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

Forget about the condensors. The ones they were putting in at that time rarely fail. If the coils haven't been replaced then you're likely to need new ones though. Check to see if you can get the spark to jump a wide gap (over 1/4") on both cylinders. New coils run for under $15 US, so as far as outboard parts go, they're cheap.<br />Your local dealer will have those parts for you too, but I actually prefer the aftermarket ignition coil to the stock one.<br /><br />For the gaskets, you just need to replace the powerhead base gasket when you replace the impeller. On those ones you had to pop off the powerhead to disconnect the shift linkage. Again, the gasket and water pump impeller are available and inexpensive.<br /><br />The factory manuals are only available reprinted in the 'States. Here are the suppliers I know of:<br />TheOutboardWizard<br />Mastertech<br />Marine Engine<br />Ken Cook <br /><br />Sometimes the service manuals turn up on ebay too for a fraction of the price of a reprint. But I don't see any there right now. Many people on ebay will say they only ship to the US, but if you ask them they will often ship overseas. I think they just need to know that you are reasonable. JB is correct, although the Seloc one that covers your engine is alright, the factory one is much better. You may also want to check the local library. If they have one it'll give you some idea of what these manuals are like.<br /><br />As for the lower unit, that will need some investigation. There arn't many places for it to get stuck - the most likely part is at the gearshift lever itself (from old grease of all things). I guess you'll find that out when you take the lower unit off.<br /><br />I've personally found old Johnny/Rudes to be very addictive. Click on the little 'Man Next To House' icon on my post. That one used to be a '62...<br /><br />EDIT: I somehow left out the most important thing - run a compression check on the engine first to find out if you have something worth salvaging. Do this before spending a dime on the engine. Also, laddiesservice posted while I was typing away. Although I've never seen that sort of lockup myself, Bob has a far more experience than me.

 

[daveswaves]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

The water pump impeller will certainly be hardened with age and must be replaced. The carb will depend on how your Dad stored it, if it was empty of fuel before it was put away it may not have varnished up. If there was fuel in it at all it will have turned to varnish and will need to be cleaned out. Change the lower unit oil as well. Points and condenser are best changed and you should examine the coils carefully. They can crack with age and you will certainly get arc's to ground. Thankfully, these parts are still readily available and reasonable. As laddiesservice mentioned, the shift interlock is likely jammed, its a case of disconnecting the shift rod and freeing the mechanism on the powerhead. The other possibility is that someone may have undone the philips screw in the lower end and the shift lever has fallen off its pivot (the screw) and jammed the shift dog into forward. Easily fixed when you get your manual. When you get it running take your dad out fishing if he's still able, he's sure to tell you "that's a fine engine son, see that you take care of it! "

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

There are plenty of Johnson/Evinrudes from the 1950s still running around the lakes here in New England. Good solid design, easy to work on. Of course, in the saltwater things will be different depending on how corroded it is.

 

[schmooser]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

Thanks for all the help guys. Will track down a factory manual as a starting point, and at least identify a local supplier of parts.<br /><br />Good to know the stuck in gear thing 'could' be easily fixable. Knowing my Dad, he very definitely would have done shifting at too high revs, he is a 'sledgehammer and nut' kind of guy!<br /><br />Now I just need to finally convince my Dad that he is not sitting on a small goldmine and that he definitely should give the motor to me. He has always hoped that the engine is worth a lot. But I reckon there are far too many of them out there, would that be a fair assumption?<br /><br />JB - yes, one of each, although they're only 1 and 3 years old, so plenty of time to brainwash them ....!

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

Yes you are correct, they are rather common. Many of the ones from the fifties are still doing regular service. So, how much would I pay for a 40+ year old engine that doesn't run, hasn't been run in 15 years, and is probably stuck in forward? Not much!<br /><br />That said, if the compression is good and the lower unit is ok, you can probably get it singing again for around $200CDN. I reckon around 150 pounds seeing that you'll end up paying more for parts?

 

[geekomatic]

Re: Evinrude 1961 Fisherman: Will I regret this ....?!

Schmoo...<br />Picked myself up a 1958 Evinrude 18hp a few weeks ago.I've taken it apart to ponder.So far,it appears that all of your previous advise is correct.These things are built like tanks and the parts that need replacing are VERY cheap.The powerhead base gasket, impeller,plugs,plug wires,condenser,and points all needed to be replaced.The carb had to be cleaned due to buildup of varnish. It all cost less than $100.The thing runs like a charm now! Currently in the middle of repainting the case and making it look brand new.The boat that I bought with the motor is also a 1958. I plan to have it all looking showroom new in a couple of months.<br />By the way.. Ever been to Bibury? Stayed at the Swan Hotel there three times so far. They don't grow trout that big in the states.Amazing place...