40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

[reilley]

Hey everyone,

I had some troubles with my motor it was running only on half power but still started up (It started but took some effort). I opened up the flywheel and both ignition coils were cracked so I replaced them. While I am at it, I figured I might as well change the condenser and check the points. Thought and done. After closing I could not start the engine anymore. I checked the Spark Plugs and I get nice rich sparks on both of them. Then I checked the fuel pump and its working. What else could I miss like I said it started up until I changed the coils. I still had gas from last sommer in the tank could that be the problem, that the fuel is just to old? but why did it start up before. I did a compression test as well and got on the 1st cylinder 138 and on the 2nd 134 which should be sufficent. Only other hint I have is in my test tank I have a lot of oil floating after running the motor which I figured came from the unburned gas from the 2nd cylinder.

Appreciate any thoughts
Thanks.
Chris

 

[iwombat]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

Spark plug wires on the right plugs?

 

[reilley]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

Yes the wires are marked the upper one has a little metal ring that says up.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

Well, simple things first . . .

Are the plugs wet after cranking?

 

[reilley]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

A little and I owuldnt say wet more moist, I cranked the engine a few times without spark plugs to get rid of any excess fuel. Wipped of the spark plugs and tried again but nothing.

 

[F_R]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

Were the flywheel and crankshaft tapers clean and dry before you put the flywheel back on? And did you use a torque wrench to tighten the flywheel nut to 100-105 ft/lbs? If no to any of these, it could have sheared the flywheel key as soon as you tried to start it. You wouldn't be the first one.

 

[reilley]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

my manual said something between 150 and 200 for the torque value. But I took it apart anyway to double check the coils, condenser and connections and could not find any damage. the little black key on the crankshaft was ok.(if thats what you mean?). I was wondering my manual describes some kind of gauge to place the coils but the coils I have, have 2 round ones that are not ajustable and 1 oval one. 3 previous coils were hold by 3 screws so when I use the 2 round ones I have only one option for the oval one and its not ajustable anymore. Is that only for some types of engines or do I still have to make this ajustment somehow?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

Those coils need to be even with the bosses. That said, have you checked spark with a spark tester? Testing with the plugs tells you very little.

 

[JB]

Re: 40 HP 1973 Evinrude wont start

Go to Engine Faqs, "Outboard won't start".