How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

[Clark Savage Jr]

Until I can get my grubby little paws on an owner's manual, will someone be kind enough to tell me the procedure for tilting this engine?

I see the "Lock-Release" lever under the steering rail and it flips easily. The lock is raising as designed. Standing behind the boat and lifting outward and upward by grasping the skeg doesn't tilt the motor. It acts as if it's solidly locked down. The steering, by the way, is as smooth as apple butter and well-greased.

I also see an unlabeled handle on the port side of the motor about 6" long or so. This handle moves easily, but I can't see what it is doing down in the mechanism. Moving it one way or the other does nothing to affect the tilt.

From what I've read, I guess it could be corroded in the down position, but if so, it would be the only thing on the motor in that type of disrepair (except for the front cowling latch - that's rusty and hard to turn). Everything else seems to be well-greased, and it's been stored indoors for six years. The crank turns freely and as I insert a bit of Seafoam into the cylinders, the compression is coming up nicely.

But, this tilt thing has me stumped! I haven't tried removing the tilt stop pin, but it looks like it will slide out freely. Maybe a little Kroil will be needed, maybe not.

Anyone? Please?

 

[yorab]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

You should move that lever to the "Release" position. This will lift the claw mechanism that keeps the motor from tilting. You should then be able to tilt the motor. That other handle that you are referring to keeps the motor tilted up at one of two available angles.

When you move the lever from Lock to Release, can you follow the braided cable down to the claw mechanism? If so, make sure that the claw releases from the thrust rod.

Check the parts diagram at http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/278547/27854700001.htm

 

[Clark Savage Jr]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

Thanks! Yes, the lever lifts the claw out of the way of the stop pin. I guess the joint must be froze up. I read where one fellow hereabouts used a hydraulic jack to get it freed up. I'll work on it, but until I get the transom beefed up, I'll have to be careful. One project after another!

 

[yorab]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

Your swivel bracket doesn't look too bad. Have you had a friend help to tilt the motor? Between that and a bit of Kroil, it might budge.

 

[Clark Savage Jr]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

In the photo below, does the arrow point to the tilt pivot? I can adequately move the motor myself, but all it does it rock on it's mount. Almost like it was welded together. There's no "give" whatsoever. If this is the pivot, I'll concentrate my efforts (and lubricant) there.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

In the photo below, does the arrow point to the tilt pivot? I can adequately move the motor myself, but all it does it rock on it's mount. Almost like it was welded together. There's no "give" whatsoever. If this is the pivot, I'll concentrate my efforts (and lubricant) there.

No, that's the shock absorber mounting point BUT some penetrating oil probably will not hurt. Do both shocks. The "tilting shaft bolt" is item number 24 on page 12 in the parts catalog yorab linked above. Look immediately above the bolt heads you can easily see on the outside of the green brackets in your pictures. The bolt in question is located on the grey part of the transom bracket. Good luck!

EDIT: FYI, the link below will get you to a free online public library that has lots of manuals saved in pdf format. They have one that covers your motor. While it is not a "factory" manual, it does have information that you might find helpful to perform routine maintenance items and maybe even some heavier maintenance. I used this same manual with my 1962 Johnson 75 for over ten years and it served me well.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=393281

LOGIN as directed and then drill down to: Small Engine, Marine/Boat Motors, Evinrude/Johnson, Outboard 4-cylinder 50-85 HP (1958-1968) and Condensed Service Data.

 

[yorab]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

You could try some lube on the tilting shaft bolt as you mentioned. That bolt is on page 13 & 14 of the link above (close, willyclay). The bolt is like a carriage bolt with its head, at least on your motor, on the port side. There is a spring washer and nut on the other end of the bolt on the starboard side. The nut is #43 in the above diagram. See if you can loosen the nut, then tap the bolt back out a bit. Don't drive the bolt too far as the components may come out of alignment which could be a much more difficult job than what you have now. Just drive the bolt enough to expose the square under the bolt head. If you can do that, then you should be able to get a wrench on the square to work it back and forth while lubing it up.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

That bolt is on page 13 & 14 of the link above (close, willyclay).

This is one of those situations where we are both correct. I cited the page number on the bottom of the parts catalog page. Since you are currently in the process of rebuilding an identical motor, I will defer to your experience and youth instead of relying on my memory to help the OP!

 

[yorab]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

Touche, willyclay, touche. But keep in mind that memories (even faded ones) are sometimes the only record of parts, procedures and tricks-of-the-trade for these old motors since record keeping in those days was not as prevalent nor easy to do as it is today. So please, fire away with all the thoughts and opinions that you may have.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

Thanks yorab, you are very kind to old people! I really could have used this forum and the internet 35 years ago.

 

[Clark Savage Jr]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

Willyclay and Yorab ..........

Thank you for the info. I don't know how I missed seeing that bolt. I am having the same problem (though not as bad) with a 4 hp Johnson which I am restoring for use as a trolling motor on this boat. In the Johnson, it's the same *&^%$ rusty carriage bolt. I've been Kroiling it, swearing at it and working it back and forth from time to time over the last month and it still hasn't freed up. I would love to hug the neck of the engineer who designed that without a Zerk fitting. Tightly. And even tighter. . .

On the Johnson, the steering is also creaky and stiff. The Evinrude, having been well greased, will fall from side to side under gravity alone. I haven't been able to drive or press the carriage bolt out of the Johnson without taking a chance on breaking the Aluminum yoke casting of the mount. I hope the Evinrude yields to my gentle manipulations with a #3 rubber-coated hammer, a brass drift and leaving the nut on the carriage bolt, but loosened up a couple of turns. I won't beat up the threads.

Also, thanks you so much for the library reference. I have been looking for something like that, in this particular case, for a couple of weeks now. I didn't find it in any of the FAQ's or Sticky's. That link might be a good candidate for such a posting. I never would have found it on my own.

I think I'll work on the cowling today - indoors. It's missing some screws which hold the upper and lower sections together and the front latch needs de-rusting and loosening. Someone has broken off an inch or so of the latch handle casting by reefing on it. Looks like a good candidate for a new billet Aluminum handle - homemade. The weather today is so windy I'm afraid to go outside without a pocket full of rocks.

I'm still searching for the Junction box with the rectifier, voltage regulator and solenoid. If I don't find one soon I'll have to head down to the auto electric shop in Tacoma and pick up new, individual parts and assemble one. That's probably the way to go if it weren't for locating matching connectors or replacing the factory ones with new ones.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

I've been Kroiling it, swearing at it and working it back and forth from time to time over the last month and it still hasn't freed up.

Glad to help anyway I can. Kroil is great stuff but an old-timer(older than me) told me once to try automotive brake fluid to breakdown the corrosion which we get lots of over here. I never had to resort to it but it may be worth a try. Just try not to get it on painted surfaces, rubber parts, etc. because it is very nasty stuff. There will be a lot of forum members waiting to hear the results of auto electric substitutions for the OEM charging system components. I had to replace my VR and rectifier diodes and they were expensive back in the day. Good luck!

 

[Clark Savage Jr]

Re: How to tilt 1964 75 hp StarFlite V-4?

My son was telling me about some stuff on the market that is specifically intended to neutralize and remove corrosion in cases like this. It isn't "Naval Jelly", but something like that which penetrates. I'll check back with him to see what it was.