Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

F

FishermanSE

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
21
I just picked up a Gamefisher 7.5 hp model 217.586752. Tecumseh powerhead model 640-23A. The carburetor is clean, has new gaskets. It is getting fuel. Spark plug sparks, and has fuel on it. Sounds like it has compression, feels good when it's pulled.

I can't get it to start. I've drained the carb and tried a squirt of starting fluid, tried starting with the throttle & choke in all combinations and the motor won't as much as cough. Maybe the fuel is bad, I will try with new fuel, but being unable to get anything using starter fluid puzzles me.

Where should I start looking from here?
 
SeaKaye12

SeaKaye12

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
1,108
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

Sounds like you've tried everything; eh?

I'd suggest you test more aggressively for good spark. Sometimes you can see spark across the plug electrodes....but under compression inside the cylinder it may be too weak.

Use a spark tester or in some manner test to see if the spark will jump at least a 1/4". If not; that's most likely your problem.

Ignition components can be tough to find for those; so I hope it's something else.

Chuck
 
F

FishermanSE

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
21
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

I will have to test the spark with a tester, but just looking at it it is a nice blue spark and looks strong. I watched it in the midday bright sun and it was nice and blue. Maybe the fuel was bad and the bad fuel was coating the plug so the starter fluid never burned? I just don't know.
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

have you had the carb off? if yes check the throttle butterfly position at the twist grip's start position and get a hold of the carb manual. you may have to much advance or not enough or to much gas or not enough, like I have said before...if all else is right the timing sync is were the problem lies....

Eska are so great they will even run on bad gas :rolleyes:
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

PS, ignition parts are plentiful and repairable
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

Your missing parts, the choke wire is crapped out and I'm not sure what that models looked like and but I'm sure you could bend a new one...now as to the Twist Grip according to the diagrams your missing the proper 2 washers and I suspect that one is rubber,I honestly expected to see a linkage clamp where the washers are and I'm not so sure you couldn't use one, it would clamp on the throttle link and the other end of the clamp has two holes that fit over the throttle link twist grip rod...examples of what might work http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,extras,1,subgroup,Carburetor,parttype,1000804

PS, there are cheaper sourses for genuine Eska/Tecumseh carb parts than Gerry continually promotes..I believe in spreading the wealth to some extent but not nearly as much as discount marine & if I remember right the parts guy there is named Gerry...LOL
 
J

jim j geezer

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
189
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

When the twist grip position changes, nothing on the carb is affected.
Click to expand...

?!?!?!?

Throttle butterfly control rod

The throttle butterfly is 'driven' by that prominent vertical rod by cam action/timing advance. Watch that rod as you twist the handgrip.
You should see the timing advance linkage come into contact with that rod and begin to open the throttle butterfly more and more as you approach WOT.
 
F

FishermanSE

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
21
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

When I twist the handgrip the timing advance linkage moves, but never comes in contact with the vertical rod. On "wide open" the timing linkage is closest, almost touching the rod.
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

and its got the wrong carb gasket, thats a Eskaman knock off gasket, the factory Tecumseh carb gasket for the 7.5 is really thin

your off about a 1/32 to begin with but you can compensate with the cam but the linkage is for shnit.
 
F

FishermanSE

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
21
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

So, proper gasket. Adjust cam. And what do I do about the timing advance linkage, replace or add components? The choke wire was mentioned above, what's wrong with it?
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

Ok I took a real close look at the choke wire, my first take was to unattached ends but I se thats not the case..sorry bout that, but the other things I would do...especially see if you can find a clip like the ones I showed you or shim that rod so it don't crawl up the link and yes adjust the cam...the gasket will do but if its a cheap gasket they will erode and leak at the fuel pump element hole if you use the outboard alot.
a rule of thumb on these things is that any change in the gasket will mess up the synchronization between the throttle butterfly and timing cam.
 
C

carholme

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
4,845
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

Fisherman;

My post was in answer to your question about the year of your engine. I use the Discount search engine simply because it has good data and I do not recall telling you to buy your parts there. Good luck with your engine.

Gerry
 
M

mrcrabs

Guest
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

Gerry,

I didn't say you said to buy there, I said promote and thats cool but honestly thoughs kit numbers only work one place, discount -marine

isn't Sponge Bobs pet snail name Gerry?
 
J

jim j geezer

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
189
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

Pat-on-the-back time.

Both FishermanSE and mrcrabs deserve kudos for good observations: That the twist grip didn't affect the carb, and that the carb gasket is too fat.

Seemingly little things can make *BIG* differences.
 
F

FishermanSE

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
21
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

With the twistgrip in the start position, shutter is closed and post does not contact timing linkage:

1024-1.jpg

Wide open, timing linkage moves to just contact the post:

1024.jpg
 
Last edited:
F

FishermanSE

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
21
Re: Gamefisher 7.5 (1980?) wont start.

Can anyone provide a picture of how it should be set up? I can't find one online and the parts diagrams don't show everything all together, just each component.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top