1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

[Solomon_Man]

All,
I have a 1958 Evinrude Fastwin 18 HP thats on a 1980 14ft aluminum smokercraft.

I purchased from a neighbor that unfortunately today is now deceased. The previous owner was very knowledgeable in mechanical skills (Raced hot rods and owned a rail racer etc.) A very nice guy who would help anyone type of person especially if it was automotive. I bought the boat as he bought a slightly larger one new when he found out his cancer came back.

I am lucky to get out on my boat more then once-twice a year fishing mostly but on occasion I will joy ride it to the sand bar (Indiana Lakes) for some summer fun.

Anyways, the point of this post is to help me figure out what is going on with this outboard now.

The first and second time out, I took it out I ran across some Indiana Lake (Lake James area - Otter through to Lake James) in what seemed to be like 30-45 minutes. The boat planed exceptionally well and had a great few days with it. The third time out started the same but upon restart (sand dune party - coming back in) the motor seemed extremely sluggish (no power). The motor will always start and never stalls but absolutely wit less power output and the boat will not plane like it did before even though the boat weight has not changed.

Trip to the same area now takes about 2 hrs and 5hp motors are about the same speed or faster on a similar size boat. It does not seem to be hot (water coming out water vents), nor does it seem to be binding in any way. This last time out, I played with the richness setting and it did change some but the less power stayed consistent.

I checked compression, when I put it away last season (after the above scenario happened) and the compression checked out (I can't remember the exact numbers today but I am considering doing the check again and write it down this time). I put in new plugs at that time (the old ones were slightly brown but clean (no bad oil contamination) but I replaced them as I did not know when they were last changed and I had them out anyways. Wires and coils are new and carb was rebuilt by previous owner. He used it mostly on weekends at his cabin in Michigan.

Oil and gas mixture is 24:1 TCW-III and always new fuel/oil in an extremely clean tank (surprising enough) when I take it out. I usually mix it a little on the heavy side of 24:1 as I have read that this outboard should run 20:1 with straight 30 oil. I use starTron ethanol fuel additive as well.

Anyways fast forward a year and I am back out on the Indiana lakes again and the boat ran exactly the same (same less - power) Last time home I took off the cover and I noticed that there was a small piece of wire that looked to be rigging something originally now loosely sitting on the bottom of the power head base. This wire is not original equipment and has no insulation. The outboard has a hand grip for throttle control/steering.

Any Ideas? Is there any kind of electrical advance?

Any help,ideas, or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

Almost surely you have bad spark on one cylinder. Here's a thread with pics, tools needed, and instructions on how to fix it:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=294072

This thread is in the "top secret files" at the top of the johnson/evinrude forum that you're in now. It has lots of good info that you could use.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

agree most likely loss of spark on on cylinder. Does it have a kill switch?

 

[Solomon_Man]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

All,
Could I.... to troubleshoot the issue... put dual spark testers on the outboard and start it up and see if spark is the issue when under high throttle?

I pulled the plugs, when I checked compression last year, hooked the new plugs up, before putting them in the cylinder head, and kicked on the electric start and all I saw from both plugs were a nice Blue spark.

The reason I ask is the coil and wires are less then 3 years old and I have only taken it out 3-4 times in the last 2 years. The wires are clearly new.

I believe it may be spark related though like timing is not advancing etc...Can someone explain how timing advancement works on this outboard.

I am fairly familiar with Auto-mechanics but not outboard troubleshooting. I have in the past, on my other boat/outboard (1957 35HP Johnson/Evinrude ), replaced coils, wires, and points as the 35HP had yellow spark on one cylinder and no spark on the other cylinder (old paper coils). This engine, at cranking has decent spark, but I have not tried it at high throttle.


Thanks,
Chris

 

[Solomon_Man]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

All,
I am going to share this as someone mentioned, from a posting I did in a Yahoo groups earlier today...."That the linkage that affects the coil plate movement is maybe not engaging when throttle is opened up."

I noticed, when I popped the cover when I was on the water (sandbar), some slop in the linkage and the plate hardly being touched when throttle was opened up. I believe this could be the issue as maybe this "wire" could of been the mechanism to hold everything tight. I also noticed that there is also a vertical plate\arm\bar that has a spring on the bottom that also looks like it could need to be involved and it was not even close to being touched.

I will check it out and get back to everyone,
Thanks for the help,
Chris



I will not know till Sunday, as the boat is at a different location then I am currently.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

spark advance controlled by rotation of the armature plate when the throttle is twisted.
Timing is determined by the woodruff key on the flywheel. If not sheared, timing is correct.

If you have spark that will jump at least a 1/4" airgap at idle, I would suspect a different problem.
In this link, part #20 on page 6 is the part that pushes the lever coming off the bottom of the armature plate that rotates it and allows for spark advance. http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/377021/37702100001.htm

The only other thing I can think of that could be causing your problem is that the high speed jet is misadjusted or stopped up, or that the sintered filter in the fuel filter bowl is clogged.
The high speed adjustment on mine is usually about 3/4 out from lightly seated. I'd start about 1 turn out from lightly seated and slowly close it until the highest speed is reached, then backing off about an 1/8th of a turn.

You could probably just pull and ground a plug wire and see if it has an effect on running. If pulling a plug wire has no effect on running, that cylinder is dead.
Just some thoughts,
JBJ

 

[Solomon_Man]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

All,
I am definetly going to have to look at the linkage very closely with the cover off.

Let me ask a question that I have been wondering...to clean out the jets does one completely rebuild the carb off the powerhead usually or can one take out the jet blow it out and put it back in without a complete rebuild. Maybe another way of putting the question... where is the jet for this outboard located?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

Hi Solomon_Man. I agree that you may only be running on one cylinder and that the carb should be cleaned and rebuilt. You have to remove the carb form the power head and rebuild it to properly clean the passages, but it's very easy to do. The carb is only held on by two nuts and a bit of linkage. Here are a couple of great links that will give you tons of handy info and show you how to give that old gem a tune up. The best part is that you can get virtually all of the parts you may need right here at iboats. You may need to put up to $100 in her (at most) to replace all of the consumable parts, but if you do, she'll run like a top for another 50+ years. The '58 18hp is regarded as one of the best motors ever made, so she's well worth the effort and expense to get her in tip top form. Most important of all they super cool! Keep us posted. Ask lots of questions if you get stuck. We love pics too Good luck. You can do it!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/index1.htm
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/columns/max/07/index.htm

 

[RSchendel]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

What was the resolution? Did you check the prop to ensure that the hub is not slipping? I have the same model and had power loss due to a slipping hub. Take prop off. On the inside, mark internal brass hub with a sharpie and a similar mark on the edge of the prop. After you use it, check to see if the marks are still lined up.

 

[Solomon_Man]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

RSchendel,
Well two things I found;

1) One of my plugs (Champion J6c) were cracked. Interesting crack situation, the screw off end was tight but the stud (end cap screws onto) thats internal actually was loose and unscrewed. I replaced with new plugs.

2) The other thing I found was needle packing for the carb was done improperly...someone used rope. Replaced with proper felt packing washers and tightened down which maintained the needle location (prevent rotation while running). I noticed that the engine was coming out of adjustment all the time.

Unfortunately, just the other day, after a 14 mile run the lower unit Skeg on this outboard developed a crack. I believe the crack has been there a while. I have pulled the outboard out of service and its on my bench for new Lower unit Seals and complete carb rebuild. Hope to get a nice Skeg\Complete lower unit this weekend at a swap and get things back together next week.

For now I replaced it with a 25 HP Big Twin.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

A good aluminum welder should also be able to reattach/repair the skeg as well.

 

[Solomon_Man]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

All,
I actually am considering that fact.

A good budy is a welder by trade but his time is hard to get especially during the summer months (overtime). A local welder told me 75 hr and half hour prices are possible. So I am looking at 40+ bucks in the best case.

The crack looks to been sealed up (epoxy?) previously from the inside. I have been, unknowingly, been using it this way for almost 4 yrs. I get this boat out may 2-3 times a year for the same 14 mile trip.

The family and I have been using the boat more lately and I have been working on a slew of outboards as I get into boating more and took it down and discovered the issue.

I am heading over to Constantine Meet this weekend so maybe I will come across one reasonable or at the local salvage yard.

Thanks for the replies,
Chris

 

[RSchendel]

Re: 1958 Fastwin 18 HP...Power output issue...

Thanks for the update.