1960 Evrinrude 18 HP Fastwin - spun prop likely but fine grey powder

[James_Faulkner]

I recently got this engine all tuned (all new ignition and cooling) and it runs strong. I had it on the river pushing me (165 lbs) in an empty 14' aluminum, on plane and it's very fast with no issues. I took it up to the lake with the wife and kids after that (add about 210 lbs more) and pulled out and got it right up to speed, on plane and ran fine for a while. I hit some rough water, the back came up and out of the water and back down a little hard, didn't hit anything that I know of, and after that, it started revving with loss of speed after it got up to full power, like a slipping clutch almost, but I was able to bring it back under low power. I noticed some odd vibration even before this. So, I got it home, took the prop off and it's clean but the bushing looks slightly questionable. I put a large masonry chisel in a vice, locked the chisel edge down in the slot for where the drive pin goes and tried to turn the prop around the bushing - I could not. I understand these are supposed to withstand 750 lbs of torque under test so I wasn't surprised. So, I pinged in marks and reinstalled so I can see if this thing really is slipping and will take it out first chance I get. However I have one additional thing that I cannot figure out - under the engine cover, in the front of the power head (looking forward) in the corners and splattered a little over the side cover is a fine grey powder that collected. I don't know if this is normal or not because I haven't had the engine running for more than a few times. I was wondering if something else may be slipping that is causing this but I doubt it. By the way, I changed the lower end oil again (90W) because it turned black again and I figured the first change was to clean it up a bit. No bits of metal, no clunking noises, it really sounds like a spun prop but again - that grey residue, what could it be?

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: 1960 Evrinrude 18 HP Fastwin - spun prop likely but fine grey powder

Well, you're doing the right thing by marking the prop to see if it's slipping. Kinda sounds like you did hit something if the stern came out of the water like that. Rough water wouldn't bring the stern out but something floating just under the surface would. The grey residue powder is a real puzzle. If the motor is running good, I'd just keep an eye on it for the next trip or two anyway. It isn't fine metal flakes is it? If it is, one of the coils may be set too close to the flywheel and is being ground off but, I really doubt the motor would even run in that condition.

 

[JDusza]

Re: 1960 Evrinrude 18 HP Fastwin - spun prop likely but fine grey powder

I'm not familiar with the engine, but, I am familiar with gray/black dust. Look around for plastic parts that can be shaved by the flywheel. On one of my 15s the recoil starter gave me some trouble and the starter pinion gear was shaved by the flywheel. This put a coating of oily dust under the cover most in the front.
Good luck.
J

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1960 Evrinrude 18 HP Fastwin - spun prop likely but fine grey powder

1. Dust: as others said, something is being ground by the flywheel. WEver put the cover back on a running motor and hear the buzz saw?

2. LU oil I think is supposed to turn black. What you don't want is milky, or worse, clear and watery.

3. Your prop should have a shear pin--I think you called it a drive pin. I have had them break but still catch enough to work at low speeds. Be sure yours is in good shape. However, I agree your symptoms sound like a spun prop, but I would find that surprising on a small motor. i don't recall my 18's props even having bushings. Hope it's not the clutch dog.
Are you firmly in gear with this happens?

 

[James_Faulkner]

Re: 1960 Evrinrude 18 HP Fastwin - spun prop likely but fine grey powder

Thank you,

In regards to the flywheel - I checked that but still need to check the torque again. I don't have a starter, it's a pull start. Interestingly - I took it for another spin yesterday went over everything again which I'll get into.

Grey dust - I don't see that anymore, after the first round of really running it I think it was blowing back through the silencer b/c I did no yet have the carb adjusted. The dust was very fine, and was almost like smoke residue, but no more and again, probably because I have it tuned now.

Prop - it's spun. I marked the interior and anterior surfaces and like I said, took it out. I had to put a little more effort into it to get it to slip which I think it does after it heats up a bit. When I brought it back, the marks were amazingly close, but off so that was a coincidence. I also noticed the insert was slightly off center and the rubber looked a bit torn up so that would explain the vibration. The drive pin is steel and in perfect shape. I could make a brass pin but need to make sure I carry tools and an extra one since I am essentially replacing the drive pin with a shear pin. So....time for a new prop.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1960 Evrinrude 18 HP Fastwin - spun prop likely but fine grey powder

If the prop is otherwise in good shape, you can re-hub it for $40-50 at a prop shop or take it to a Johnnyrude dealer.