1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
I am so excited! I bought off craig's list a '53-54 (not sure yet) 15hp Evinrude.
I have been watching this motor for a little while as I need a little more horsepower for my '50 Lone Star alum 14' runabout. Bought the motor from an older military officer who got it from his wife's grandfather who bought it new.
Came with the orig tank (which looks clean inside and smells like gas/oil mix) and the duel hoses. Curiously, the hoses are 2' long. I guess the gas was meant to be right there by the motor. I will put 8' hoses on it...will it affect gas pressure?
I have been studyiing the many, many posts here on resurrecting old motors, and am so looking forward to bringing this back to life.
For $100 I can get the service, parts, and owners manuals from kencook.com, which I am going to do first. Because of its era in evinrude design, parts look iffy. Nothing here at iboats.
But it is in beautiful condition!
No accumulated oil/grease/whatever on it. Paint hardly nicked. Not faded. Pulled the rope and got lots of "thunk thunk" and compression resistance. And when in gear the prop rotated when pulling on it.
The screws show no marks from clumsy prior repairs, most show the factory paint. I doubt it has ever been opend up.
I wouldn't even try to undertake this project without all awesome advice and suggestions I have received here on my 2 previous projects.
As I drove home with it I was wondering about how in the world I will set the high speed setting; the motor at wide open will empty my test tank.
Any suggestions on carb, ignition, and cooling parts access will be greatly appreciated!
The seller remarked that when he rode in it, it seemed a lot more powerful than he expected for a 15 hp. I am so hoping I wasn't scammed; I don't think so.

Chuck in Austin
 

samo_ott

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
5,125
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

The 15's are good engines. I have a '56 15hp I'm running right now. 8' hose will be fine. You have to find the dual line hose though. There's lots of pressure generated to push the fuel that far. If you have a good thunk thunk you're probably fine but you should do a compression test as a baseline.

Actually, you should read the top secret thread at the top on awakening a sleeping outboard.

I have the parts manual if you PM me your email address and request.

High speed adjustment must be done on the water. After you rebuild the carb, turn it in gently to the end and then back it out 1-1.5 turns. Then adjust it on the water. You can only adjust the low speed in the barrel.

edit: actually I just checked and only have the '53 and '55 15hp manuals. They're close though. Oh, and lots of your parts are available here on iboats I believe.
 

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

I'd sure appreciate seeing some photos of it. Best of luck. Rick.
 

jbjennings

Captain
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

I was hoping you'd get that motor! It sure looked nice.
Laingsoutboards.com is a great place to buy parts that you can't find here at iboats. You can find ignition parts here for sure.
There is a thread in the "top secret files" called "points and coils" that will help with rebuilding your ignition system and ha pics. If the guy you bought it from ran it, there is a good chance that the coils have been replaced and you might not even need them. I would replace the water pump impeller and check the gear oil for water and try to crank it. If it won't crank up, take the recoil assembly off, take off the starter gear off the flywheel, and if it has an inspection cover, look under it at your coils and see if you see any sweating or cracking. If not, you may be in good shape and just need to clean the points and regap them. I think that the tank smelling anything like real gas is a great sign. Get some new gas and mix it 24:1 and see what happens. DOn't put it in gear in the test tank--no reason to. You will rarely have a problem with those motors shifting gears. The problem is will it STAY in gear during wide open throttle. If it will, you've got a REALLY nice motor there. If it's the motor I'm thinking of, you should repost some pics of it on your boat.
Good luck,
JBJ
 

1stgenbird

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
397
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Congrats on the new motor.

Since you are needing a new dual fuel line, check out this listing number on eBay, 280545312387.

I needed some for a recently acquired '57 Evinrude so I went to my local Evinrude dealer and he had some that listed for $7 per foot that he would sell me for $5 per foot.

I found this seller on eBay that is selling new 10' sections for $20 plus $5 shipping. $2.50 per foot is a good price.
 

chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

So, this is an effort to post some pics...

Grrr
 

jasper60103

Commander
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
2,055
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

So, this is an effort to post some pics...

Grrr

If you try to uploading pics you'll probably have to shrink them first because they'll be too big. There are online tools that can re-size them for you though, e.g. http://www.shrinkpictures.com/.
Else, setup a free photo account like photobucket.com and upload your pics there, then post the link (image code) in the thread.
 

BigB9000

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,154
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

...setup a free photo account like photobucket.com and upload your pics there, then post the link (image code) in the thread.

Yeah......
I use myspace for that. easier to log into, no bandwidth restrictions, and easier to use/share/whatever

all around better.
 

54fleetwin

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
282
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Since you are needing a new dual fuel line, check out this listing number on eBay, 280545312387.

I found this seller on eBay that is selling new 10' sections for $20 plus $5 shipping. $2.50 per foot is a good price.

The ebay ad says $9.95 for shipping.

I sure dont need 10', more like 5'
 

chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Fleettwin...
I bought the fuel hose from the ebay site you suggested. Ordered over the phone wed. morning, they arrived today (friday) at 1:00 pm. USPS priority mail flat rate cardboard box. And usps supplies the box! I use them often to ship small stuff. A great deal.
Cheap. $7 I think for the mid size box due to the hose. 2 coils and an impeller too.
Thanks for the heads up.

chuck
 

chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Well, my new impelller and coils arrived along with a new fuel line.
But my service manual is still a week away or so.
Do I dare trying to replace the impeller without the service manual in hand?
Help!

chuck in Texas, where I'm itching to pull the trigger.
 

chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

I think I have attached 5 pics to this post. We'll see.
 

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Rick.

Captain
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Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

I'm in love! What a great looking motor. It is in good condition for sure. Best of luck.
 

jbjennings

Captain
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Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Take off small oval cover off side of midsection. Carefully remove the bottom shift shaft connector bolt. Shift into forward, helping the coupling to slide off the shift shaft. Don't break the brass connector with forceful prying of screwdriver. It should slide off pretty easy.
Take out all 4 lower unit retaining screws and 1 bolt---do NOT strip them with a screwdriver that doesn't fit perfectly into the slots. The lower unit should easily slide down and out. Remove water pump cover screws. Take out the impeller and don't lose the impeller key.
Btw, make sure there's an o-ring just below the upper drive shaft splines, and make sure you reinstall it. It keeps water out of the splines and prevents it from rusting and getting stuck in the powerhead.
Reinstall.
Easy job,:)
JBJ
 
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chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Thanks JB.
I found the water tube lower grommet all mangled. Replaced the impeller with no problem. Ordered a new water tube grommet from NAPA...cooling my heels in the meantime.
 

Sir Robin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
126
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Wow, what a find!!!!!!!!!!!
 

chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

So the local evinrude dealer had the grommet for $3. Installed it and fired her up. Lots of moderately hot water out of the spit hole. Runs like a dream in the test tank. Got restless and drove out to the lake and put it on the boat. It scared me it took off so fast. Started right up. Runs smooth as silk.
I am one happy camper.

Chuck in austin, where life is good today.
 

chuckm51

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
58
Re: 1954 15hp Evinrude. Just picked up today! New project!

Thanks JB,
I got the lower unit off with no problem. I replaced the impeller and water pipe lower grommet, reinstalled the o ring on the top of the drive shaft, lubed it, and was able to reinstall the lower unit without much hassle, careful to get the water pipe in the greased slightly grommet. The engine spits lots of warm, not hot water now, and I am feeling confident.
I may sneak out to the lake this weekend for a little spin. Will try to take a video if not pics.
 
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