Recent content by ronsealdeath

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    Extending trailer length/hitch distance from winch post

    Hello, I have a trailer which is home made. The central box section is 5mm thick mild steel of 70mm diameter. We've got the tongue weight right but the winch post is now too close to the hitch so we run out of room opening the car trunk and its basically a bit awkward to winch the boat...
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    50hp 3 cyl running fine until electrical check

    Hi there, I have a 50hp Merc 3 cylinder, not sure of year but serial number is hard to read as its been stained by something but looks like 3 numbers maybe 144? then 613246. I uncovered the engine from winter today and ran her up fine, idled her away for 15 mins whilst I checked charging...
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    Best way to wire my boat with dual batteries

    Hi there, I have a 17ft Microplus with two batteries and a 50hp Merc from 1988. It is currently wired with the second battery as a standalone to power horn, lights and some 12v cigarette lighter points. The second battery hooks to the engine straight. I'm switching it to get the second...
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    Mercury 50hp Charging and IDing

    Hi there, My Evinrude 55hp has gone with my 14ft speedboat and I am now the proud owner of a 17ft fishing boat with a 50hp Merc 3 cylinder 2 stroke. The engine had an 'auto blend' box on which I have disconnected to use 50:1 premix instead. Assume this is ok to do? The serial number is...
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    Old Outboards; how many horses escape over the years?

    Hello, just out of interest; Has anyone got any idea how much power a 2-stroke outboard would lose over time? My 1977 Evinrude 55hp may well have produced 55hp at the crank in 1977 but how much would it produce now? It would be interesting to see if anyone has ever 'dyno' tested an old...
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    From fully charged battery to dead in 20 minutes!

    Hello there, I have a 1977 55hp Evinrude on a 14ft speedboat that has no charging system owing to a busted rectifier. All runs great though until yesterday when we took it for a burn across the bay for about 20 mins at 75% throttle, turned around and shut off to put some fuel in. When we...
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    Outboard tach doesnt work, auto tach does?? Why?

    Hello, Quick question; my 1977 Evinrude 55hp gives a reading with an auto tacho (RPM is not correct I know) but not with a Faria outboard I just bought. My rectifier is fryed and the charging system doesnt work. Is the faulty rectifier causing the outboard tacho not to register anything when...
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    55hp Rectifier 3 and 4 wire confusion?

    Hello, I have a 55hp Evinrude circa 1976 (flatter saucer shape flywheel). I think its been subject to parts exchange from a later 55 (dome shaped flywheel) as it has fixed jet carbs? I am totally confused by the rectifier wiring though having worked out that my rectifier isn't working (not...
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    Shocking HT leads

    Hi there, Sorry this is my second post on the forum today but its boating season here now and as usual there are problems cropping up with my motor. I am getting regular shocks from my HT leads whenever I accidentally touch them. They look ancient (1976/77 Evinrude 55hp) and the insulation is...
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    WOT timing, did I get it right????

    Hi there I have just followed Joe Reeves' WOT timing procedure by jumping the solenoid with a fully charged battery and the plugs out. My Evinrude 55 from the mid 70s requires 19 degrees BTDC for total timing so I set it at 15 degrees according to the above procedure. My motor was initially...
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    Piston rings for my Tomos/Ailsa general Q on bore

    Hi there, this is a general question really. I have a 4hp Tomos outboard which I bought to fix as a seized engine. I was expecting rusted bore/piston but instead she has snapped a piston ring. There was damage on the other ring so I have had to remove both. There is no damage on the...
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    55 Evinrude problem, please help!

    Hi there, I have a late 70s Evinrude 55 with fixed jet carbs and a problem with running in the water. Apologies but this is another 'my engine does this, what's wrong?' threads but I have run out of money so need all the help I can get! Ok here goes, engine was bought having been standing for...
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    Spark Gap Tester

    Hi there, can't get one of these easily over here, can I use a homemade one as in the attached picture? I am a bit worried it may do something bad to my ignition system, is this a risk? Also on J. Reeves' timing for WOT guide, why do I need of of these devices connected? Cheers
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    55hp over revving after carb rebuild

    Hi there, just re built and cleaned out the carbs on my 1978 55hp Evinrude. All went back together ok, started her up and she immediately over revved all the way up to near max. I shut off, tried 3 more times but every time it was just revving straight up to max with no throttle! Butterflies...
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    Suzuki prop on an Evinrude?

    Hi there, I have a Suzuki S1500 prop 11 1/4 x 15 (I believe suitable for 4 stroke 40/50hp suzuki outboards) which i picked up for a next to nothing. Perfect condition. I have tried to fit it to my 1977 Evinrude 55 and can get it on most of the way but not the last inch or so on to the shaft...
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