1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

[awarner20]

Hi all,

I am a web developer, not a motor guy, but I know enough to be dangerous. I have a 1963 Evinrude 40hp outboard and it runs great except that when putting the throttle down far enough to engage or dis-engage forward and reverse, it always stalls.

I am thinking that all I need to do is adjust the idle, but for the life of me, I cannot find it. Add to this that I'm afraid to start the motor while the boat is in my driveway because I don't know how to get the water to circulate through it from the hose. I've seen those water "muffs" in use when people are cleaning the salt water out of their motors at the dock, but this engine doesn't seem to be set up to use those.

If there's anyone here that can help me locate the idle adjustment (image are good), and also possibly clue me in on any garden hose technique for starting the motor while on the trailer, I would be very grateful.


Adam

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

There are a couple ways to adjust idle on these motors, the first and simplest one is sometimes located on your controller. Is there a black screw on the thin side of the controller? Its generaly on the end facing astern, but not always. The second way is by physically adjusting the end of the throtle cable. You do this by unhooking it from the throtle boss (on the motor) and turning it out, thus making the cable longer. There may also be a lync and sync method, that relates to the carb, but since I am not 100% sure on your motor, I'll leave that for others to answer.

 

[Rscardina]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

depending on the engine and age...you have no choice but to get a large barrell and put it inder the motor so the leg is submerged.. older engines sometimes had a scoop looking piece that was the intake for the water..since then the design changes to perfereted holes in the lower unit which will work with muffs...so again, depends on what you have.

as far as idle adjustment. mine is located on the throttle arm...at the very top..there is a cylinder looking piece that slide forward and back as you increase throttle... there is a crew with a nut behind it... you loosen the nut and screw in or out to adjust throttle idle...

since I do not own your motor I am not sure if your setup is the same.. can you post a picture of the engine with the cover off??

 

[F_R]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

Don't be messing with the throttle linkage. Use the idle speed adjusting screw like it was designed for.

You have to put it in a barrel--muffs won't work on it. It has to be deep enough in the barrel to submerge the water pump before starting the motor. Better yet, put it in the lake where it was designed to run.

 

[awarner20]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

Wow, you guys are fast! Thanks so much for the quick responses and helpful info. I'm going to post some pics of the boat and motor asap (might be a day or two, storming currently and getting dark soon).

Idle Speed Adjusting Screw:
I did find that yesterday. It's located on the front of the controller box and has a black molded plastic end on it. I turned it in and watch the throttle controller arm move forward and thought I was going to be good to go, but then the screw seemed to stop. There was still quite a bit of screw left outside the controller box, so maybe it's stripped or something? I suppose I would only know by taking the controller box apart.

But first....I'll check that adjustment in the diagram F_R attached. Thanks!

Barrel Technique. Got it. I'll just run down to the launch on an off time to tweak the idle.

I'll get some pics to illustrate exactly what I have and what I'll be trying.

Thanks to all of you!

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

600-700rpm IN GEAR

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

Idle Speed Adjusting Screw:
I did find that yesterday. It's located on the front of the controller box and has a black molded plastic end on it. I turned it in and watch the throttle controller arm move forward and thought I was going to be good to go, but then the screw seemed to stop. There was still quite a bit of screw left outside the controller box, so maybe it's stripped or something? I suppose I would only know by taking the controller box apart.

But first....I'll check that adjustment in the diagram F_R attached. Thanks!


!

Re center the idle screw on the controller, before you rest the main idle controll on the motor.

 

[awarner20]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

Hi all,

I promised some images, so here they are. I haven't done any adjusting yet.

The motor:

The idle adjustment at the controller:
Look at the black knob on the left of the image.

And a close up of that knob. That's the farthest it will screw in. It occurred to me that the block of wood behind that controller box is aftermarket and maybe this idle adjustment is hitting the screw inside this controller box that holds that wood block on?

And here's a shot of the engine. From right to left you see the fuel line, then the throttle cable (which does have an adjuster on it), and then farthest left you'll notice the white plastic knob. As luck would have it, and as referenced in the exploded engine diagram that F_R posted, this is the Idle Adjustment. How do I know for sure? Because it says so molded right in the metal!

Now, I tried to turn this (gently) with my fingers and even though it was kind of "wobbly" it would not turn in either direction and I did not try and force it. If anyone knows if this should be turning freely, please point it out. Maybe I should WD-40 it or something?

Here are a couple more close-ups of that adjustment and the area in general:

I'm thinking that I'll double check that idle adjustment by the controller first and check if it's being impeded by a screw underneath, and then try and turn that idle adjustment near the motor itself.

I'll report back what I find, but I still welcome any further thoughts or advice anyone here may have. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[F_R]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

Disconnect the throttle cable from the motor, and adjust the idle stop screw on the motor first. It is supposed to be difficult to turn so it stays where you put it.

Once you are satisfied with the idle speed, reconnect the cable and adjust the knob on the control so it limits the lever the same time as the one on the motor limits the actual idle speed. The reason they put a second knob on the control is so you can preset a higher speed of your choosing (for trolling at your favorite speed). AND/OR, some motors don't have a knob on the motor, but use the same control. The one on the motor is much more reliable. The one on the control is subject to slop in the cable.

Needless to say, if you set a higher trolling speed at the control, you have to back it off before you can return to "normal" idle speed.

 

[tbyrny]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

I have the same issue on a 1962 Evinrude Lark IV. Except my Idle stop screw is broken. Does anyone know where to find a new/used one. or are there any other viable options for adjusting the idle. My motor is running well but I just need it to turn the idle speed up.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[F_R]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

Idle stop screw 304573 is superceded by 437966 "kit"
Spring 304865 is superceded by 309247

I don't know what the kit consists of but obviously it must be an upgrade of some sort.

Get them from any Evinrude dealer or http://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php

 

[xtremefisher1]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

not to hi jack or anything but was wandering if anyone knew where u can get those idle stop screws and the other black one for the control box. sorry if this is a hijack , not inteneded to be!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1963 Evinrude 40hp - Where is the idle adjustment?

Those can probably be obtained at the local OMC dealer. Or just use a good 1/4 20 screw with a spring on it. Just find a screw with the same length shank on it and a wide head on it, so the spring with work out good. Those plastic screws are worthless, as far as I'm concerned. They twist off too easily. Not near as good as a stainless screw.

awarner20, thats a darned nice looking classic you have there. Your motor is living proof that a guy doesn't have to buy a new motor, to have longevity and reliabilty, to have a lot of good years on the water.