1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

[rdwatson]

My 63' 40hp Evinrude was running pretty good until the other day when it started but then stalled after about 5min from the dock. I tried starting it again with no luck. It just turns over but won't start. I am very new to boating, aquired this motor and pontoon through the purchase of our lake home. No manuals, although I am ordering them but, need some guidence on where to start looking for the trouble.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Check spark on that motor. If it stopped suddenly on the water, that's the first place to look.<br /><br />Just pull the spark plugs, reconnect them to the plug wires and place the threaded end on a bare part of the engine block. Crank the engine. You should see good sparks at both spark plugs.<br /><br />If not, then get back to us and we'll help you diagnose and repair the problem.<br /><br />If you do have spark, then check the fuel lines and the fuel (should be fresh).<br /><br />Get back to us with the results of your test.<br /><br />Also, what, if any, work have you recently done on the motor? There are several of us here who own 50's and 60's Big Twins, and we've helped several folks solve their problems.

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Thanks for responding so quick! I really have not done anything to the motor this year! I did have to replace the ignition key as water got into it and shorted it out. That went fine and it started and ran great for a couple of days until this latest problem. And like I said it did start up but then quit. Although yesterday I was poking around the motor looking at the gas lines. When jiggling the line leading to the filter noticed gas squirted out the side between the plastic filter cap and the housing. I tried to unscrew the screw in the middle of the filter cap. It came out so far and then got harder to turn so I stopped. I could see the screen inside but was affraid to pull the cap any. Didn't know what was happening so I just tightened it back up. Does the screw only unscrew so far? If so, is that the point when I can pull the cap off and access the filter screen? Remember, not to knowledgable on boat motors. I plan on checking the spark this afternoon.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

I'm not sure on that filter, but if it's like mine, once you screw down the clamp on the glass filter housing, you can remove the housing. If you don't see a lot of gunk in there, just go ahead and reattach that filter bowl. Put new hose on that line or at least a new clamp. If you use a screw-type stainless clamp, be sure not to overtighten it.<br /><br />Go back to your ignition switch and check all the connections. One may have worked loose...or a wire may have broken. It happens.<br /><br />After these steps, give another try to starting your engine. If it doesn't work, then do the spark check.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

One other thing...is your fuel mix fresh? Is the tank on your boat a fixed tank, or are you using a portable tank?

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Yes, just filled. It's an older portable tank. I am planning on replacing the bulb and lines and maybe even the tank itself.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Always a good idea. New tanks aren't all that expensive, and the old one may have some gunk in it. <br /><br />Let us know how your tests come out. We can go from there if my suggestions don't take care of things.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Huh, I thought they only used those fuel pumps on '64 and later 40hp engines. Are you sure about the year? (Post your model number and we can look it up)<br /><br />I can't imagine why the cover screw seized on you. It ought to unwind right out. If air was getting in through there it would stall the engine, but you should be able to keep it going by pumping the primer bulb. So that doesn't seem consistant with your no-start problem.<br /><br />Check spark and let us know what you find.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Paul,<br /><br />That pump confused me, too. I'm a'thinkin' that we may just have another sheared key here. New engine to the owner...unknown history...sudden stall after use.<br /><br />The spark report will give us an idea. However...if he put on a new ignition switch...we may have a kill wire situation, too.

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Don't have the number with me right now, but I'll verify the model number and let you know. The hose leading from the tank attaches to, what appears to be the fuel filter housing, which is metal with the round plastic "cover/cap" with a barbed male hose connection. It actually has "filter" in big letters on the front. The screw is located in the middle of this "cover/cap"

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

I'll be checking the ignition switch and the spark plugs when I get home this afternoon and report back! Thanks for the info and quick response.

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

OK, I bought a new tank, bulb, and line. Installed and the first time it didn't start. I then sprayed starter fluid in the carb and it fired up but stalled out right away. Anyway, it appears that I'm getting spark to the plugs, although I haven't pulled them to check condision yet. The modal number is 40873A, serial number is E04328. It appears I was wrong on the year, looks like it's 68'

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

It's best not to use starter fluid on 2-stroke engines, since there's no lubricant. A little regular pre-mixed fuel in a spray bottle is a better choice.<br /><br />I'm still confused about your fuel filter. Is the one you're talking about external, and not on the fuel pump or are you talking about the one on the fuel pump?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Tap the side of the bottom of the carburetor (the bowl) with a screwdriver handle and see if when you pump the primer if gas starts flowing into the carb.<br /><br />If that does nothing, then you've most likely got a clog somewhere, either in the fuel pump or in the carburetor. Take the fuel line off the carb, and pump the primer. If no fuel flows from it then the lines or pump is clogged. If fuel flows freely, then the carb will need to be rebuilt. <br /><br />A carb rebuild isn't a huge or expensive task. You only need common hand tools and a carb kit to do it.<br /><br />EDIT: CATransplant: The 'Filter' on that pump is mearly a wire screen. Not like the nice ones we have on our pre'64 engines. It's basically built into the inlet on the fuel pump, which screws onto the face with a thumb-screw.

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

I'm looking at the Clymer outboard shop manual for evinrude/johnson and on page 158 there is a picture of the pump/filter. It's on side of the engine and it's attached with about 5 screws and has a circular plastic "filter screen cap" with the word "filter" on it. It appears that the middle screw holding the cap to the pump does NOT come all the way out. It appears it stays in the cap.

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Paul, Yes you've got it! I'm going to try you suggestion about the clog. I'll get back to you in a few minutes.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Somehow I had a different fuel-pump on the brain. Simply loosen the screw in the center of the 'disc' until it gets hard to turn, then pull off the black plastic part. it may be stuck a bit as there's a gasket between it and the metal part. I finally got one in my hand, if you want pics just ask.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

OK. I guess the 1963 thing threw me off. The old fuel filters weren't much, either, in my opinion. I have a nice cheap inline one on my fuel line from the tank. It has already caught some junk from the old tank.<br /><br />But I really like that Cruise-a-Day logo on the original tank. They lied, of course. If you tried to actually cruise for a whole day on 6 gal. with one of those old Big Twins, you'd be getting towed at least part of the day.

 

[rdwatson]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

Yikes, I checked the fuel line going to the carb, and found a hole. Cut that section off and reattached. can't tell if the carb is getting gas when I pump the bulb as I can't see inside very good. but did notice the bulb pumped up firmer than before. still not fire.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1963 40hp Evinrude Problems

I don't know how accessable it is on yours, but there should be a tiny slot screw at the bottom of the carb's bowl. It's a drain for the carburetor's bowl for off-season storage. You can pull that plug to determine if gas is getting into the carb. You cannot tell by looking down it's throat.