As an inexpensive alternative, you can get a solar trickle charger which will keep the battery charged if it's left out in the sun. I had a pontoon with a 1957 Lark and I never had to charge the battery all summer long. I'm using a similar charger on my 1959 Crestliner voyager with a '59 Lark...
I recently put new points in my 35hp Lark and set them using the timing marks. Turned out the points gap needed to be .023" to get the mark on the flywheel to fall between the two marks on the mag plate. The marks are the best way to set them.
For $50 I'd buy it. If it's really stuck, part it out and you'll more than recover your investment. If it's electric start, you can get over $100 just for the starter and bracket. Then there's the carb, lower unit, flywheel, etc. etc.
I'm mounting a 1959 Evinrude Lark on my 1959 Crestliner. I'm wondering if I can mount the junction box for the motor directly on the aluminum or do I need to insulate it? I could install a wood plate between the aluminum and the box. Is this necessary? I've never worked on an aluminum boat before.
So it starts if you turn the lever perpendicular to the body of the solenoid but not when it's parallel? Are you pressing in on the key when you start the motor? You should hear the solenoid click when you press the key in.
My 2000 50hp runs about 145psi - 170 seems high, which is unusual. Test again. Also check spark with an open air tester - should jump 1/4 to 3/8 inch gap. If you have spark and good fuel, motor should start. How are plugs? When starting push in on the key to activate fuel primer. To test fuel...
I had several of the 35/40hp Evinrude/Johnsons. Never considered them as overly thirsty. When I traded my 1960 40hp Lark for a 1964 60hp Sportfour, then I learned what "thirsty" was. I guess back in the day when gas was 35-40 cents a gallon, we didn't think much about how much gas we used. I...
Good luck finding junction box and cables. I believe nymarine.ca has reproduction cables but they are very expensive. The '57 Lark did not have a keyswitch only a push-button to start. Stop was done by choking the engine.
First check compression. Should be 110+ and even across both cylinders. If compression is good, other items can be fairly easily addressed. The nice thing about these motors is you can work on them with mostly basic tools. You will need a harmonic balance puller to remove the flywheel, but you...
Here's a pic of mine properly set up at idle. Note: on 50hp model, the roller does not align with the two arrows on the throttle cam. There should be about 1/2 inch clearance between the head of the idle adjustment screw and the spark lever assembly. Yours is backed out way too far.
