OLD EVINRUDE 60HP V4 'SPORTFOUR' NEWBIE OWNER

[WillsPride]

G'day All,

I'm back into boating after a forced hiatus. I have bought a Vintage fibreglass runabout and it has an Evinrude 'Sportfour' 60hp electric start motor fitted. I know the boat was built in 1968 and this is the original motor. It starts and runs very well. The engine number is C525393. How can I tell when the engine was built? Are there any specific issues or potential problems I should be aware of? I'm a complete newbie when it comes to old outboards., My last boat had a 2012 30hp E-Tec tiller steer fitted and power tilt & trim! Cheers William. I'm in Sydney, Australia BTW.

 

[racerone]

Need the model # of it.

 

[F_R]

The V4-60hp was made 1964 through 1967. 1968 was 65hp The 60hp motors were pretty much the same except:
Could have "Standard" or Heavy Duty" lower unit. Standard was sleek looking, Heavy duty almost resembled a small football, skeg held on by a bunch of screws.
'64 thru '66 had a magneto ignition with spark plug wires coming out the bottom of it. '67 had battery ignition with spark wires coming out the sides of a top mounted distributor cap.

Facts apply to USA-built motors. Yours was made in Canada. They sometimes do some strange things up there. But we love them.

 

[WillsPride]

I just located the model number. It says 60753 Cheers!

 

[silver_bay]

I get 1967 for that model number

 

[WillsPride]

I get 1967 for that model number

Bewdy. So my Sportfour is battery/coil ignition. Is it still a Kettering system? Are parts still available for these old engines? Water pumps, props etc.

 

[F_R]

No Title

Ah, you know what a Kettering system is. So I have to assume you can read a wiring diagram. Here it is. Note that the coil is fed by a special resistance wire built into the original forward cable. Resistance is one Ohm for the whole wire.

Sure parts are available, depending on what you need. At least here in U.S. iboats has stuff like ignition, carburetor kits, impeller, etc. The V4's were very popular, made in various models.

 

[WillsPride]

Thanks F_R I used to ride old Yamaha two stroke road bikes with points ignition! This old girl is in good shape for a 48 year old outboard

 

[F_R]

You kids!! Your viewpoint will change when you're as old as I am. God Bless you.

 

[WillsPride]

You kids!! Your viewpoint will change when you're as old as I am. God Bless you.

Another question re the electrical system. I see an alternator and rectifier. What do the specifications say about alternator charge rate, in amp/volts? My old Land Rover charges at about 13.7 volts, but it is a 120 amp alternator! Cheers from the Young 'un

 

[F_R]

The alternator voltage is unregulated on that model (as with the majority of outboards). Maximum output is 6 Amps. Voltage can go as high as 16V on a long run. Don't worry about that, thousands of them are running around like that. But if that bugs you too much, CDI makes a regulated rectifier that will control the voltage. Maintenance-free batteries are not recommended (but I use one in my own boat all the time).

 

[WillsPride]

The alternator voltage is unregulated on that model (as with the majority of outboards). Maximum output is 6 Amps. Voltage can go as high as 16V on a long run. Don't worry about that, thousands of them are running around like that. But if that bugs you too much, CDI makes a regulated rectifier that will control the voltage. Maintenance-free batteries are not recommended (but I use one in my own boat all the time).

Thanks for that. The battery in the boat at present is of unknown age. I think I'll get a traditional lead acid 9 plate that will fit in the stainless steel holder already installed under the engine well. I can leave it on the trickle charger between outings. I have dual battery system in my 4WD but the aux battery is a deep cycle/cranking AGM sealed unit. I recall some where they don't like to be overcharged with too high a voltage.Cheers William.