Re: year of evinrude motor
Hi Mike,<br /> Your '57 18hp is a good old motor. It is basically a bored out 1956 15hp, as they upped the cubes by a couple for 1957.<br /><br /> To start with I would run a compression check - you want both cylinders to be somewhere above 100psi and within about 5% of each other. <br /><br /> Most of the maintenance and tune-up items are still readily available at a dealer or through NAPA. If you're unsure of the motor's service history, it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the waterpump impeller, hoses and condensers.<br /><br /> Check to make sure the points are clean, and if the coils have a shiny plastic covering. If the coils appear cracked or the plastic looks chalky, replace them. For under $100 you can do a top-to-bottom tune-up that includes resealing the lower unit - don't forget the shift rod o-ring. It's a fairly easy motor to work on and a strong runner when done. <br /><br /> Be sure to feed it a steady diet of 32:1 fuel/oil mix (1 pint oil per four gallons gas) using top quality TCW-3 rated oil and good quality gas - I prefer 89 as it's generally more consistent than 87. There's no need to run high test in it.<br /><br /> I've got a few odds and ends for those 18s should you end up needing the odd part or two.<br /><br /> Above all, have fun!<br />- Scott
