Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

[mottt]

I have bee trying to get this thing running for the past couple of weeks. I first had a wiring harness that was cut, then a solenoid that needed replacement, a carb that needed to be rebuilt.

I finally completed all this and attempted to start it.

I primed the gas and I could hear the carb bowl fill and the primer bulb got tight. I have the low speed needle turned out 1.5 turns. and there is no high speed. The starter spun the flywheel, healthy! I did not get a sputter or any indication the motor was trying to run on its own. I tried starting fluid (i know), only once to see if it would fire, and it did for a second!

Spark gap can jump a nice blue arc .5 inch on both wires.

I have new gas

Everything is pointing towards a gas / carb problem. Now when I said above that I rebuilt the carb, thats not entirely true. I removed the carb, needles, and seats. I cleaned all passages and parts. I did not have a rebuild kit. So I reused old parts. NOW, I know this is prob the entire issue, but can someone explain why? It kinda makes sense to me that doing these steps would make some kind of difference in the starting results. But of course it did not. I am confused and hoping someone can explain why rebuilding the carb with new parts versus used parts would not help with starting. (even though all passages are cleaned out)

 

[bktheking]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

Plug wires backwards? It happens, trust me.

And did you choke it, who knows if the choke works on it.

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

I dont think the wires are backwards. and the choke manual override was set to ON. Its a water cool/heat choke.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

yes but doesn't it have a lever for a manual override? Starter fluid and a pop sometimes indicates plug wires are reversed, try it, what do you have to lose but it not starting.

 

[tootallofwa]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

I had something similar happen on my 28hp johnny.

It had run, albeit crappy, did some work on the bottom end, synchronized it, filled my barrel and nothing... crank... crank...

I read at Master Marine something about using a propane torch to richen the air intake. I tried it... It sputtered... The electric choke had been on. not that it helped... but finally started. It seemed like the fuel pump was liked locked up or something... (not pumping).

I did nothing else but try an unlit propane torch.

a little twisting on the carb needles and I'm ready for a lake test.

OH! and that water heated choke should have a lever to override it, mine does. If not the choke should be on until the engine water gets warm by default, sure it should pull open some as you increase throttle.

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

The override has been on the whole time.
I did notice that the low speed needle has a very fast taper on the end of it. (possibly a worn tip)
My 40 hp johnson has a long, sparp taper and so does me 6 hp fisherman.
I think I may have found the problem.

Can anyone confirm if this?

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

Good morning, anyone there?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

I don't think it would stop it from starting but yes I believe you need a change.
I would CAREFULLY try squirting a little fuel into the carb.Open the choke first.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

If you have spark compression and fuel which you claim to have it should start even if you put spray fuel in the carb. The only thing left is timing, which make the pop when the motor won't start which could be due to:

Points not set right
Reversed wires
missing flywheel key
Something messed up in the timing

A motor with all the right ingredients will start and run albeit for 3-5 seconds spraying fuel into the carb, a pop doesn't have all the right ingredients.

As Steelspike said , open the choke, spraying fuel in and closing the choke would make a super rich mixture potentially soaking the plugs.

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

Flywheel key?

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

I don't think it would stop it from starting but yes I believe you need a change.
I would CAREFULLY try squirting a little fuel into the carb.Open the choke first.

I have tried this already and it doesnot work any better or worse.

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

BTW reversing the plug wires didn't do much. If anything I got a bigger pop when I reversed them.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

Flywheel key?

There is a "keyway" on the crank that holds the flywheel in a certain spot. When the flywheel isn't torqued down properly the key shears and everything goes to hell in a hand basket. Have you had the flyweel off this motor. If you got a bigger pop then chances are the wires were on right. These are merely suggestions, I understand it's frustrating but it's a process, there are no magic answers for what is "exactly" wrong with the motor. One of the gents on here was having similar issues with a motor that wouldn't start, he discovered a hole the size of a golf ball in the powerhead, no one on here would have known that one!

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

Yeah i understand

I personally have not taken the flywheel off. But this motor is new to me. No telling what happened before. I think my next step is to get a rebuild kit and a new low speed needle for the carb. There are no dealers where I live so waiting becomes a bear. But what can you do.

Thanks for all the help and encouragement

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

Is there any way I could have an electrical problem when I am getting a good spark? Is it a good idea to inspect anything at this point?

 

[bktheking]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

Points might be out of adjustment which would throw timing off. They need to be gapped at the highest point @ .020, if not it would have issues starting.

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

I have never taken a flywheel off before. I do have a manual and am willing to try. But I don't want to make things worse.

Do you think this is something that can be done rather easily? I know thats relative but how much time would this take for someone who has done this before. And how much time by me? (would you guess)

 

[bktheking]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

I had to do this last year on a 64, had the flywheel off in 5 minutes, points adjusted in 10. Before you pull it, does that year have the removable inspection plate on the top of the flywheel or a hole to see into where the points are? A quick check with a .020 feeler gauge may be all you need to do. Get the flywheel rotated until the points are open at the highest point and check with a feeler gauge.

 

[mottt]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

I had to do this last year on a 64, had the flywheel off in 5 minutes, points adjusted in 10. Before you pull it, does that year have the removable inspection plate on the top of the flywheel or a hole to see into where the points are? A quick check with a .020 feeler gauge may be all you need to do. Get the flywheel rotated until the points are open at the highest point and check with a feeler gauge.

I don't know if it does, but I will check. It sound pretty straight forward so I will try and inspect these tonight. Thanks so much

 

[bktheking]

Re: Evinrude 1963 Bigtwin 40hp NO START

No problem, if you can't see the hole and there is no obvious plate then it has to come off. I hope you have compression, last gent who couldn't get his started found a hole in the block.