1960 Evinrude fisherman starts and runs but no idle

[JTMatthews]

Good day i-boats!
I recently was given a 1960 evinrude 5.5hp fisherman to play with and if everything goes well I am planning on using this motor for a little kicker on my 1979 glastron ssv-176. I am not a mechanic but enjoy tinkering and figured I will give it a shot. The only thing I have done so far to the motor is change the spark plugs and cleaned the gas tank and put new fuel/oil into it, the motor actually fired up and runs and sounds good, but dies as soon as i turn down the throttle, also note it doesn't want to start unless the throttle is advanced a little bit.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1960 Evinrude fisherman starts and runs but no idle

perfectly normal, the motor has to be set in the start position to start, they are designed to die when the throttle is pushed all the way back. they do not have stop switches. you need to clean and rebuild the carb. also you need to replace the impeller, so you do not burn the motor up, by running hot. also reset the carb adjustments, after rebuild. read these :

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=244013

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

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

 

[JTMatthews]

Re: 1960 Evinrude fisherman starts and runs but no idle

Thats what I was hoping to hear, I was already planning on replacing the impeller, because #1 I did not like the way the motor was putting out water, #2 it's been sitting for over 2 years and has to be worn by now. Okay, I will look around for a good parts resource, and a manual.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1960 Evinrude fisherman starts and runs but no idle

The problem with the 5.5's (and the 7.5's) is that you have to pull the power head to drop the LU to change the impeller. Unfortunately. So make sure you get new gaskets for up top also. And the one that goes on top of the drive shaft. You will see it in parts diagrams.

 

[JTMatthews]

Re: 1960 Evinrude fisherman starts and runs but no idle

Thanks! I was reading some other threads about having to remove the powerhead, so I was expecting that. As far as removing the powerhead and lower end are there any special tools I might require prior to starting this project, I know for a couple of these projects like the Carb I thought somewhere I saw that you need a special slot screwdriver perhaps or am I confusing things...

I haven't taken anything apart in awhile so I am kinda looking forward to doing this project, I figure if I can learn this little 5.5 motor pretty well it will help me learn how to work on my 1979 140hp evinrude that I have on my boat now... so next time I need to replace a part I can do it myself instead of spending 90$ per hour for a shop to do it...