1953-54 Evinrude.

[rockstar55667]

I was given a 1953-1954 Evinrude outboard (I'm not sure which year it is ) over the summer, I am trying to fix her up. The model number is 15012-45329. The motor has not been started in over 20 years.

We were able to get to the pistons (after breaking numerous screws). They were jammed, but we got them going with a can of WD-40. The motor now has good compression.

Theres 2 spark plugs, of which 1 has really good spark, and the other has nothing. Any suggestions??

Also, I ordered a new head gasket, because we had to break it to get to the pistons.

When we crank the motor the prop spins, so im hoping thats a good sign.

What else would I need to do to get this thing started?

 

[popsmazz1]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

these are famous for cracked coils, easy to fix, replace both coils and clean the points, gap is 20 thousands, coils are readily avail. will probably take care of it.

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

Down below here is a box that says Forum Jump. Click the arrow and find the FAQ's. There is one there on reviving old motors that haven't been run.

That is the best place to start. They are fun and easy to work on, and more times than not can all be fixed and used regularily.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. If anything else comes up, these guys are REALLY good and helpful. It helps to know you have tried to search the site looking for info first.

Thanks,

By the way, you motor is a ...huh... I was going to tell you what year it was, but the model number guide says that 53 and 54 both used the same model number for the 15HP. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter then.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

What screws did you break? Were they the exhaust cover screws or head bolts? If it were me, I'd work on those screws first and get them all fixed, then put a new head gasket on and check compression. If the compression isn't good, then it's probably best to consider it a parts motor. If the compression is o.k., then I'd get a new coil, clean the points and regap them, and see if I could get good spark on both. Actually, I'd check the spark with a spark tester because it's likely that both coils are bad if they haven't been changed before. And being 20yrs. old at least, I'd bet they are.
If I got spark on both, I'd then put in a new water pump impeller and oil the cylinders and rebuild/clean the carb and see if it would start. If so, and it idled good, had decent power and held gear without slipping out, then I'd see about replacing the lower unit seals because they're almost sure to be bad or going bad. Then you'll have a nice motor but be into it for about 250 bucks and a lot of hard and sometimes annoying----and fun work.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

$250? Is it that much? Don't tell my wife!

Let's see:
$60 2 coils
$20 points and condensors
$15 impeller
$5 spark plugs
$30 lower unit seals
$20 carb kit
$10 gear oil (you will go thru a couple qts, in denial that you need to rebuild the lower unit)
$20 carb cleaning sprays and soak can
$15 Flywheel puller
$20 in misc sealers, tools, lubes, etc.

Yep, it adds up in a hurry, doesn't it!?

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

Thanks everyone!

The screws I broke were the head bolts. I was able to find replacements for the screws that broke.

The head gasket is on the way ($30)...should be here in the next week.

I just have to work on that spark.

I'm hoping the impeller is going to work, but being so old, i have my doubts.

The biggest problem will be finding parts, as the head gasket was pretty hard to find.

The $$ adds up quick repairing these old motors.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

Ohhhhhhh, darn, why did the head bolts break? Has this motor been in a lot of salt water? Head bolts don't generally break, unless electrolysis has eaten them alive.

jbjennings has definately given a good description on what to do here. There are certain orders of doing things, without wasting money, and it's easy to find yourself, kicking a dead horse on a 54 year old motor. If it has been used a lot in salt water, then every screw and bolt will be a nightmare and these motors are typically good for just parts. Well cared for motors should come apart, without hassle.

Leon

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

If it has been used a lot in salt water, then every screw and bolt will be a nightmare and these motors are typically good for just parts.
Leon

you said it! Every screw other screw i have taken off this thing has snapped. Its taken quite a bit of force, but they snap. I know someone who has some kinda tool they say that can get the rest of the screw out.

As far as I know about 20 years ago my uncle used to use this motor as a backup motor for his boat, which was used in salt water.

The motor was stored indoors (a garage) for the last 20 years though.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

well, breaking them off, is not quite as bad as having to drill out busted ones.
If you don't drill in the perfect center, then things can get ugly fast. If you have a busted stud exposed, then it is best to touch the end of it with a torch and get the bolt nice and red. After it is cooled, then it should come out with a pair of vice grips. What I hate is when you put a pair of vice grips on them and they break again a little further down.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

$250? Is it that much? Don't tell my wife!

Let's see:
$60 2 coils
$20 points and condensors
$15 impeller
$5 spark plugs
$30 lower unit seals
$20 carb kit
$10 gear oil (you will go thru a couple qts, in denial that you need to rebuild the lower unit)
$20 carb cleaning sprays and soak can
$15 Flywheel puller
$20 in misc sealers, tools, lubes, etc.

Yep, it adds up in a hurry, doesn't it!?

Where are you buying your parts? 60 dollars will buy four coils. It does add up though by the time you get all the misc stuff, but once you buy that you have it for the next one you are going to find to work on.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

I hate to say it, but it sounds like a parts motor to me based on the following:
#1: it was seized up
#2: it was used a lot in salt water
#3: it is showing that it was used in salt water, i.e. bolts breaking
#4: you don't know if the lower unit is good yet, either.

Just me.....I'd look for a good used motor the same or similar year so parts were interchangeable that was used in fresh water and go from there.

Then again, it might still be good. I'd try laingsoutboards or iboats or many other places. $30 for a head gasket is too much. YOu might ask for some part numbers here of stuff you need so you can plug them into iboat's site and get a better deal on parts.
Good luck,
JBJ​

 

[popsmazz1]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

a salt water motor that old is probably not worth trying to fix. I had one given to me once and I gave up trying to get the bolts off, personally I wont touch one again, not that old anyway, save your money and get a freshwater motor, my 2 cents.

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

Yeah, I have another motor if this one doesn't work out. Its more of a project motor...i mean if i can get it running that would be great...it has more HP than the motor I'm using right now.

The head gasket was $19.25 plus shipping and tax, came out to just over $30 (http://www.maxrules.com/fixomcheadgskt.html) (Item #203247)

 

[cc67]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

Too bad it's in bad shape. They really are good motors. Mine will push me and my lard arse brother in law down the river in my 14" v-bottom at a pretty good clip.

[/IMG]

 

[kjdunne]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

cc67- beautiful restoration job. Looks too pretty to use!

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

oh my god...thats my motor, but looks nothing like that...especially now...If i get it going, ill post a picture.

Nice looking motor!!


Where did you get the parts for it??...If you got them online?

 

[cc67]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

A friend of mine found that motor and a 58 Fastwin for me for $150. They both needed a lot of work. I get most my parts from a local dealer who dosen't mind looking up old parts for me and also has a stash of old motors that he lets me pick through. A friend of mine here in town painted for me. I probably got about $250 in that motor. I use them, got about a half dozen so far and always looking for more. Here's what it looked like when I got it.

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Pretty sad.

 

[rockstar55667]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

Alright, I finally got her to start tonight.

She starts right up, no problems. However...the impeller appears to be stuck. Its not kicking out any water.

Where can i go to get a new impeller for this motor? Are they all more or less the same, or is it going to be really hard to find because the motor is so old?

Thanks again!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

You can one here for $17.

http://www.vintageoutboard.com/

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1953-54 Evinrude.

Your local dealor should stock the impellers for those. It's the same as the 18's