1957 35 h.p. larks

[Dale Speck]

I was fortunate enough to purchase not just 1 but 2 57 lark 35's for 100$!
one isn't running {long shaft} , the other runs fine {short shaft}. They came with all of the wiring etc... The only problem i have is that my boat is only a 14 foot Starcraft. I was only looking for an 18 - 25 h.p. for the boat when my best friend calls and says that his grandma has 2 evinrude 25's for sale. When I got there and saw what they are I couldn't pass them up' even though they were 35's not 25's . My question is should i put one on my boat or try to trade them for something smaller? I also have a 1975 9.9 on the boat now. Also considering throwing in on a trade. any advice?

 

[rhody]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

Wow, what a coinsidence. My dad had two 57 larks, one long and one short. The short ran and the long he had for parts. Anyway we had a 14ft alumacraft with the lark on it. The boat had two bench seats and a deck on it.. The boat was kind of a heavy boat, not sure what your boat weighs. I hope that maybe this will help. Wish I had something to but that extra lark on I would love to have it.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

where in illinois are you located?

 

[rhody]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

I live in the Quad cities. I have a alumacraft now with a 90 yamaha 4 stroke on it, fish the Mississippi and Bull Shoals Lake AR. as much as I can.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

Talk about coincidences, I'm from Keithsburg and currently reside in Muscatine. Maybe we should start our own local antique outboard chapter.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

Good to hear from fellow Illinois folks. Though I am from the other side of the state in Chicago. As for the motors, it really depends on the type of starcraft you have. I have an older lund 14 footer ('76 s-14). It's a little heavier and a deeper v and a wider boat (65" beam), and it is rated for 35hp. I'm planning on throwing my '67 johnson 33hp on there. Converted it to a tiller and I have spark. Just need to get the starter wired and then I could give it a test run. I have an old '58 johnson 18hp on there, and it pushes the boat fine with me alone, but add another person, it's a little slower and takes a bit of time to plane.

Not sure if your uscg plate is in, but if it's an older boat, it just may be rated for a 35hp or near it.

 

[rhody]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

Hey just thought I would let you know that I grew up in Elmhurst Il. and went to York Comm. High School.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

We're neighbors! Well sort of. I grew up in Itasca, about 15 minutes from Elmhurst. Went to Lake Park (class of '89). But I knew a number of people that went to York.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

The plate is present and accounted for and it is only rated for a 25.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

wouldn't want to trade your 18 for a good 35 Lark and one for parts would you?

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

hmmm...might consider it. if you're serious let me see how my 33hp works. if it works well with my boat, i might be willing to trade. let me mull it over for a couple of weeks. the 35 would actually be a good motor for a runabout I have that is sort of in "project" status.

 

[rhody]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

We're neighbors! Well sort of. I grew up in Itasca, about 15 minutes from Elmhurst. Went to Lake Park (class of '89). But I knew a number of people that went to York.

I had a girl friend that lived in Itasca, don't remember her name though. My dad taught high school at Addison Trail.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

I had a girl friend that lived in Itasca, don't remember her name though.

Must have been quite a long time ago. I figure girlfriends are people you tend to remember whether you want to or not.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

Finally woke the sleeping giant today! Runs good and has awesome compression. Also found my first and only problem, both engines have bad starter armatures. Not to big a deal if the one i use starts on the first one or two pulls, but this isn't a motor you want crank very many times. anybody have starter parts for sale?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

Depending on where you live, you might be able to get it rebuilt for a reasonable price...or just watch the auction site, they come up there all the time...or a free wanted ad on the classifieds at www.aomci.org
If you have to pull start it, save your arm/shoulder and use the notch on the flywheel and a knotted rope after you take the recoil/pull starter off. More leverage that way...just make sure no one is behind you to take a hit from the knot on the pull rope.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

The nice things about these old motors is that parts are readily available. I have a second 33hp that I use for parts. I know the starter works well with that. I'm pretty sure the '50's 35hp omc motors are the same as the '60's 33hp omc motors. I could check my starter part number and see if it is compatible. If you'd like to work out a deal, send me a personal message with the part number.

Oh, btw, as mentioned earlier, it is much easier to start the motor with a rope wound up on the flywheel than the recoil. Just discovered that recently.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

what kind of deal are we talking? i'm all ears. pull starting isn't that big of a deal for now , but i would like the ol' girl to be intact . i believe your right about the compatibility. my engines each have a different starter on them. one is about an inch shorter than the other. and addressing the reply about having it or them rebuilt fairly inexpensively. i can rebuild them myself, i just need the parts. i already have both of them apart, was going to make one out of two, that's how i discovered one is longer than the other.brushes, casing, stators, all in good condition,. the windings are melted in two at the output end of the armature of both.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

can anyone tell me if i need the type of tank with the primer button, i have several of the dual line tanks without the primer and an old mercury fitting tank in really good condition i would be willing to trade for the style of tank i need and a dual line fuel hose.

 

[rolmops]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

You will need the 2 line pressure tank,you can get the dual fuel line right here on Iboats. Just double check if it still the old pressure system or if it has been changed to a fuel pump,many things change in 52 years.
As far as horse power is concerned,the 35 and the 33 are identical,the horse power is measured at different points (35 at crankshaft,33 at propeller shaft)
As for the starters,very often a good cleanup and some oil in the right places will rejuvenate them.
A 35 horse should be fine on a 14 footer.It will make you fly.

 

[Dale Speck]

Re: 1957 35 h.p. larks

much to my chagrin, oil isn't going to help my problem. the windings are burnt clear in two at the gear end of both armatures. the starters are also different sizes, one is longer.the good news is i pull started the motor yesterday, so i know she'll run and that i can pull start it so the starter isn't really a huge issue, except for restoration purposes. i appreciate the advice though.