Evinrude troubles

[Busted Knuckles]

Howdy, new here.<br /><br />Lotsa questions.<br />My Dad has a 35 hp Evinrude, Mdl. #35902A, S/N E0001309, but I don't know what year it is, <br />so I don't know what maual to buy.<br />I'm having a couple of problems with it. First of all, it has a really bad backfiring problem. <br />Should I be looking at the points and condenser, the carb, or is maybe the reed valves?<br />Also, is there an electronic alternative available to get rid of the points?<br /><br />The other big problem is the lower unit. Last year my dad had the lower unit replaced <br />because the old one went south (bad seals/no lube). Now the one the shop put on there<br />seems to have a lot of fwd/aft end play, about .165". Is this normal?<br />Also, the shifter has a lot of play. When I tried to adjust it, I found that there doesn't seem <br />to be enough travel it the cable and shifter to properly engage the fwd or reverse gears. <br />I looked under the inspection plate in the middle case and that seems to be OK, so <br />whatever is worn is in the lower unit. <br />Also, the lower unit doesn't split down the middle like my old 18 hp, so I'm assuming<br />there's some magic trick to get it out of the housing, right?<br />Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Evinrude troubles

Welcome, Busted Knuckles,<br /> model # 35902A should be 1979

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Re: Evinrude troubles

Thanks Captain,<br /><br />Now I'm trying to figure out whether to order Clymer's manual or Solec's.<br />Solec's appears to be larger.<br />Anyone care to share their preference?

 

[Walker]

Re: Evinrude troubles

There is not too much in the L/U that can stretch and give the problem you describe. I would guess that your shift cable is stretched and needs replacing.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Evinrude troubles

Busted Knuckles, Are the spark plug wires on the right plugs? Sometimes easy to overlook. Are the wires arching? Did it just start doing this or is it getting worse? I have a Seloc manual and it does not cover everything, but prints all the gottchas. If you need exact steps, then it is probably not the one. Good luck.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Evinrude troubles

Order a Factory Manual from the link below. Well worth it!<br /><br /> Manual

 

[Hooty]

Re: Evinrude troubles

rickdb1boat is right about the factory manual. Also get the parts list. Well worth the investment.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[sloopy]

Re: Evinrude troubles

wow!!!nevernoticed that site!! that 30 hp is agreat engine! common to see dads past that motor unto there sons then sons onto there sons!!

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Re: Evinrude troubles

Walker,<br />I thought it was the cable at first also, but I remember it working perfectly with the old LU before it crapped out. Ever since some shop installed the new (used) LU, it never would shift quite right. Sometimes it would refuse to shift into gear at all until you giggle the detent rod and roller. Sometimes that didn't even work, sometimes it did. There is a possibility one of my nephews stretched the cable during one of his "episodes", but there sure is a lot of play in the LU shaft and in the shifter handle.<br /><br />Scoop, No the spark plug wires aren't crossed, but they are pretty old and it is possible I have a spark leak, but a guy I know in a boat shop says the first thing he'd do is squirt some carb cleaner into the float bowl. He says the main jet is right behind the bowl plug and can be cleaned without taking the carb apart.<br /><br />Thanks rickdb1boat and Hooty, the factory manual and parts list it is. I hadn't even realized that Solec's and Clymers weren't factory manuals. I saw exerpts from them and to be honest I don't need to study what looks to be pages of basic otto cycle theory. All I really need is the parts list and an exploded view.<br /><br />My dad bought that motor new while I was away in the Air Force and has never done anything to it but run it. I think it even has the original plugs in it. I guess its a little overdue for some TLC. It has been a damn good motor.<br /><br />BTW, this is a really good site. Great to talk to other gearheads!