Evinrude Lark 35 what to do

[degerton]

A friend just gave me a boat (Crestliner) with two Evinrude 35 Lark engines (35516). I have never had a boat and I don't know anything about them. Where do I start? I can see that many of the cables/hoses are cracked, so I assume those need replaced. I have not tried to start it yet, but my friend says it just needs a tune up. I was also told from a boat repair shop who looked at my pics and they said I should replace the throttle unit (see photo). Is that really necessary? Where can I go to replace these? I live in a very small town 2 hours north of Spokane, WA.

 

[greenbush future]

The boat has twin outboards? or did your friend just have an additional motor? Twin outboards of this era is a little rare, I have an old Lone Star with twin 35 Johnson's. Does your boat and outboards run? Pictures would help us see what you do. What year is your boat, and what waters do you plan to use it on? Snap off some pictures so we can see what you have to work with.

 

[Texasmark]

Those engines came out in the late 1950's. You are talking about antiques and considering aluminum castings, that are not of aircraft quality, and 60+ years of service life, in an aquatic environment, possibly salt water exposure, expect big time problems. The seals on the lower units were questionable to start with. I know, I was there, I had some back when they came out. If you are lucky enough to skim by without such, you are very, very, lucky indeed. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a 10' pole......but there are others that would. You have to decide.

Mark

 

[airshot]

Sounds like an awfull lot of time and money for someone that knows nothing about boats. Something of this nature would be for an old boat/motor collector or rebuilder type person. Parts will be hard to find and will not come cheap. If the boat has an aluminum hull that is in good shape you may want to consider getting a newer motor and go have some fun.

 

[degerton]

I tried twice to upload photos; not sure why they didn't take; I will try again soon. I was looking at the boat today and it looks like all the cables/wires are old and cracked and need replaced. The aluminum hull looks to be in good shape. I have a friend who knows a little bit about boats, but he's a bit busy so we will see. Maybe it would be cheaper in the long run to get new motors, though I have read several comments that these are good reliable and durable motors.

 

[Texasmark]

If you are new to boating and not all that electromechanically inclined, get a USCG safety course and a new boat with a warranty and a dealer to show you how to operate it. Then get a friend, knowledgeable about motoring, to go along till you understand the pros and cons of what your rig can and can't do.

Otherwise, please accept this as good advice: Forget the boat, go to the movie!

HTH,
Mark

 

[degerton]

Thanks for the advise, though not very encouraging My engines are 1959, twin engine, with key start for each and steering and throttle up front. Still trying to decide whether to keep it or sell it; the boat itseld looks to be in fairly good shape, though I will strip and repaint. I was hoping for a fun project. Still will have towork on photos. not sure why they won't load onto the website here.

 

[degerton]

So, I found the cables for the throttle, so that's good, but I need a wiring harness and junction box. Any ideas where to find one? I am attaching a pic of the connection, but also need the wiring inside the engine that attaches to this. Hopefully I can get the pic to load without errors

 

[degerton]

ok I used the old wiring harness and spliced in new wires, but having issues. The engines start fine but won't shut off.

 

[jbcurt00]

Stay after it, I'm on my phone but will try to grab some time at home w my laptop to help w pix. I think its great that you are taking on this project and look forward to pix and following your progress. Admittedly, free boats are often the most expensive..

 

[Texasmark]

Back then you just starved them to death. You closed butterfly in the carb with the throttle control which killed the engine. In today's engines with electronic ignition you just ground the triggers.

Mark

 

[degerton]

Thanks, Mark. My friend that was helping me thinks it has something to do with the wiring and ground, but he couyldn't figure it out. I posted a question on this in the wiring section with keywords wiring, evinrude, junction box. I was able to get photos uploaded to that post with wiring and diagram attached.

Also thanks to jbcurt00. The project is being fun and hasn't cost too much. Mostly because I replced all the wiring seeing they were old and brittle. I also replced the impellors before trying to start the engines. If I could figure out the wiring I'll be good. The engines start right up. Once this issue is fixe the next step is to sync the two engines and then start on the painting the boat. I also have all the floor boards cut and ready to paint.

 

[degerton]

The other post on the wiring is titled, "Evinrude Lark wiring starter"

 

[degerton]

I got it working! Now I am painting new floor boards and then I will attempt to paint the rest of the boat. It is a 16' Crestliner aluminum boat. Also, the boat had a Hummingbird depth finder but the cables were eaten through by critters so I am trying to splice it. One wire for the power will be no problem but the other looks like a coaxial which goes to the sensor or whatever you call it that measures the depth. Any suggestions?

 

[Texasmark]

Well sir I will compliment you on your steadfastness in going ahead with this project. Yes on the cable. You can buy a new pretty basic depthfinder for about $100. Getting the cable could be a problem and then you have the interconnection and the molded plastic and all that to contend with. I don't know what the impedance is. Normally it is matched to the load impedance for best signal transfer. Probably not that big of a deal at 200kHz. Their using coax probably wasn't for loss reduction but electromagnetic interference shielding from other electronics in a boat or engine ignition pulses.

Mark