1979 Evinrude 35 hp Water Pump Issue

CaneyTB

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Joined
Oct 10, 2021
Messages
9
Hey Everyone! First Post, but I've been gaining knowledge from this forum for awhile.

Background - I picked up a 35 hp Evinrude Commercial Model 35952A as a part of a boat purchase. The lower unit was not assembled and was missing parts. The mechanic I took it to ordered the needed parts and installed a new water pump and solenoid. I've replaced the fuel pump once I got it back. The mechanic said he got it running and I went and picked it up. The motor is dialed in an has a ton of compression and good spark. It starts and runs strong.

Here's the problem: The motor does not pump water...nothing comes out of the tell tale and it won't "Pee"...and nothing comes out of the two exhaust holes, except exhaust. I've tried with the water muffs and with the lower unit submerged in a barrel. Still no water. And the block and the exhaust housing get hot really quick...like in a about a minute to hot to touch for more than a second or two.

The water pump kit that the mechanic installed was E391631. In doing research, I also found that a water pump with the Part Number 0388891 was listed as fitting my model number. And...I've also seen where E391631 supersedes 0388891. Is it possible that the wrong kit was installed by the mechanic?

I've taken the lower unit out and disassembled the water pump...everything looks to be in order and seems to fit. The key looks correct, the impeller spins (clockwise is my direction...I think that is correct), the fins and the inside of the cup have been lubed (I can turn the shaft by hand pretty easily) in an effort to reduce friction.

I've submerged the assembled foot (removed from the motor) in a bucket of water (to where the intakes are about 3 inches underwater) and spun the driveshaft while it is chucked in my drill...still no water pumping.

I reattached the lower unit to motor and blew compressed air through the tell tale tube while the lower unit was submerged and bubbles came out of the intakes, so it appears as if the "water pathway" is clear.

I had even thought about the thermostat, but when the isolated foot would not pump water in the bucket, I ruled that out.

Should I order the 0388891 water pump kit and install it to see if it makes a difference? Or is there something else I am missing?

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated...this is the only thing keeping me off the water! I've posted this question in a couple of other forums also, so if you see in other places, I apologize for the redundancy.

Thanks,

Brandon
 

Crosbyman

Vice Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
5,760
3 inches underwater may not be enough to prime the pump properly .

Remember the old farmer's hand pumps.... they needed a quart of water to start pulling water from the well.

retest with the LU submerged and spin it with the drill to confirm the pump is pushing water out the pump body .

do not reinstall it till you get it pumping water profusely. .


the impeller base plate should be properly sealed from the lower inlet cavity . IF you do reseal it inspect the lower inlet cavity for sludge ,junk anything impeding water flow.

alternative....
btw... change the mechanic or ask him politely to finish the job properly which he did not do !
 
Last edited:

tphoyt

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Joined
Jun 10, 2010
Messages
1,477
It is possible that he didn’t have the water tubes lined up.
I agree 3” is not much and you could try using a trash can.
Also agree that you could take it back to the guy that obviously didn’t check his work.
Best
 

kbait

Commander
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
2,472
Entire waterpump needs to be submerged to begin pumping water.. pump is not self priming.
 

CaneyTB

Cadet
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Oct 10, 2021
Messages
9
Aha! Got it! Tore the whole assembly down tonight...gaskets and all. And, the base plate had "UP" printed on it...and it was facing down. Flipped it over, replaced all the gaskets and all the other components. Chucked into the drill and BAM! Water came flowing out like Old Faithful! Put LU back on the motor, put the muffs on and started her up and she started pumping water out the tell tale. Block and exhaust housing stayed cool! So, that's a win.

Somewhere along the line, I got the shift rod out of alignment, so I've got to figure out how to correct that. The shift rod keeps slipping out of the little keeper. I think the bolt is stripped out because it won't tighten down on the little nub on top of shift rod. But...that will hopefully be an easier fix than what I just went through.

Thanks for the help and replies everyone...take care,

Brandon
 

oldboat1

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Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
9,612
There is a machined slot for the screw or bolt to slip through to the threaded portion. When you carefully snug up the screw, the shift rod is held in place. The brass coupling does not capture the rod by clamping down on it.
 

tphoyt

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 10, 2010
Messages
1,477
Good to hear it all worked out for you.
Im sure you will have no trouble getting your linkage sorted out.
Enjoy.
 

CaneyTB

Cadet
Joined
Oct 10, 2021
Messages
9
There is a machined slot for the screw or bolt to slip through to the threaded portion. When you carefully snug up the screw, the shift rod is held in place. The brass coupling does not capture the rod by clamping down on it.
I think is what I was missing...the bolt actually rests in the notch at the top of the shift rod, if I understanding correctly, while inside the brass coupling...the threads are on the "backside" of the coupling, correct?
Amazing...something smaller than my pinky nail can jack the whole thing up!

Thanks for the help...hopefully I can get all my ducks in a row and get on the water soon.

Brandon
 
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