late 50's early 60' evinrude 40

[todster]

I have an evinrude lark 40hp electric shift. Runs good but the problem is it has a 23" shaft. What would that have been for. The old boat I had it on had the back braced up with aluminum plate and a 2x4 between to raise it. Can this be easily and cheaply converted back to short shaft? Or if I sell it for what market would I aim for with the weird shaft length?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: late 50's early 60' evinrude 40

Since there are a lot of larks out there, I would think you could find it pretty easy. Watch ebay or call laing'soutboards.com or tcoutboards (twin city outboard). I dread to think what they'll charge, though. I'd try to find a parts motor to buy.
If you try to sell it, I'm afraid you will have a hard time because anybody that knows much about those would rather not have the electric shift since the parts to fix the electric shift are hard to find and pretty darned expensive. I wouldn't even try if I were you.
JBJ

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: late 50's early 60' evinrude 40

as touchy as those lowers are i would not attempt to change it. the older ones were longer, than the new ones. as the water pump was higher in the leg. i would just by or make a jack plate. or do as you have done in the past. building a transom elevator.
http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/...64573--submit.Search--submit.x.32--submit.y.7

 

[todster]

Re: late 50's early 60' evinrude 40

Hmmm it's too bad cuz this thing shifts great and runs great. Just that weird length. Maybe I should break it down and sell parts on ebay. I bought a 71 50hp johnson on ebay for $56 with the right length. Got lucky cuz someone couldn't figure out electric shift then reassembled it and pinched wires in leg. respliced and heat shrink then used hyd oil in lower and fill above the usual check plug and voilla. just wish she'd idle better.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: late 50's early 60' evinrude 40

I'd also use a jack plate. No point messing around with it. But if it works great then just sell it as is. A lot of the older boats needed a slightly longer engine as they were bigger. btw, the 40's started in 1960 so it's not a 50's model.

 

[todster]

Re: late 50's early 60' evinrude 40

Yeah, I think it was a 63 or 64 now that you mention it, been quite a while. Sits out in shed with moth balls to keep red sqirrels away. The water pump is higher which is also why I was never sure if I dared raise it up too much. It has more guts than the '87 50hp force that was on the bayliner capri. The 50hp johnson definately out performs the force. Just that force was one sweet running motor just nobody home when you slammed the throttle open. Any ideas as to what speed the 40 hp would or properly trimmed should push a 14.5' bayliner capri?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: late 50's early 60' evinrude 40

Anyone with a 20-inch transom on their boat, wanting a period motor would probably buy that Lark. Or you could look for a 20-inch transom boat to put it on and have two to run around the lake in.