1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 - question

[MichiBoater]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHMr7Sp8FI

Here is a video of the motor running on my 14ft Sea Nymph with just me in the boat. It pushes the boat at 15-17 MPH by GPS.
When I'm running it, it sounds like kind of a whine (you can hear it in the video linked in this post). Since I don't know much about this motor, I don't know if it's normal or not. It changes pitch/frequency with the motor speed. The motor appears to be running great.
Bought it from a guy who fixes and sells motors as a hobby. He advised that he changed the plugs, plug wires, points, condenser, water pump, gear lube, and put in a carb kit. It starts on the first pull and seems to run great.

It doesn't accelerate as quickly as my friend's newer Merc 25 that I used a lot this summer but it's a smaller motor, and much older!

Any advice or tips or hints about what to do now or what to watch for with this beautiful machine would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 - question

HI michi. Cool little motor. It seems to be pushing you along nicely, but I see what you mean about it whining a bit. It seems to be running a bit rough at lower rpms too. It may simply need a carb adjustment. You miht try backing out the lo speed needle 1/8-1/4 of a turn to see if that helps smooth out the idle. You may also try a few adjustment to the motor. OMCs of this era had sort of an odd leg length of around 18" when most transoms are about 15". As a result, they tend to drag a bit in the water which decreases speed and makes the steering heavier than it needs to be. The antivent plate found just above the prop, should be level, or slightly higher than the keel of the boat. You can simply clamp it higher on the transom and/or build a small riser to help get the motor to the desired height. Most people run there motors at the second trim position away from the transom, of course this will very slightly from rig to rig but it's a good place to start. You can also try running the motor in a test tank to see if the noise persists, or if it only happens on the boat. Some folks even put rubber mats under their motors to reduce noise/vibrations. Overall, if it starts, stops, pumps plenty of water and gets you where you want to go and brings you home you should be ok. Here are some great links to help you keep that old gem running for another 50 + yrs. You can get any routine parts (carb kits, tune up kits, etc...) right here at iboats for about $20 each.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/max/index6.htm

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...evinrude-johnson/ITEM_2748/ITEM_274800001.htm

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...on 3 HP 1952-1967 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...hnson 5.5 HP 1954-1964 Carburetor Tune-UP.htm

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 - question

With the exception that it sounds like it's running a little rich on the high speed carb adjustment, I'd say it runs pretty good! The whine you're hearing is likely gear noise - not unusual for those older motors. If the whine gets really piercing, then it's possible the gears are worn or the support bearing under the pinion is worn, but some whine is normal.

For the carb adjustment, try turning the lower (high speed) knob inwards 1/8 of a turn or so, wait about 5 seconds and see if it picks up some RPM. If it does, try turning it another 1/8 turn. Keep turning it in 1/8 turn at a time until the RPM starts to drop off. If it starts to drop off, back it out 1/8 turn from the point where it starts to drop off. That should give you better acceleration, too!

 

[MichiBoater]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 - question

Thanks! It also occurred to me that the gas might not be fresh which could make a difference I think. It seems like the guy who sold it to me said it had been in a basement for a couple years recently. I will try the carb adjustments when I get back out on the water.