1963 75 hp Starlite Evinrude "Wont run at High RPMS"

JeffGoldberg

Recruit
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
5
I have a 1963 75 Hp Vfour Starlite Electric shift.The motor will idle but when I try to bring up the rpms it seems to starve for fuel and stalls most times. Sometimes I can bring it back to an idle and it will continue to run. But if I try to keep the rpms up it slowly goes down in rpm untill it stalls.Even if I continue to pump the ball while its running I can't ge the rpms to hold.I can pump the tank ball up and it will start again and idle.I tried the same gas ball and hose on my 6 hp evinrude and it runs fine and the ball stays hard so I dont think its the check valve in the ball.So I rebuilt the fuel pump but I had done that only a few years ago and all the O-rings and diaphram looked good.I still have the same problem after the rebuild. I tested the fuel system as my manual says by disconecting the line going to the carb and pumping the ball on the gas tank and fuel flowed freely out of the line. Next i turned over motor and monitored the fuel line to the carb and I saw no fuel comming out thats when I rebuilt the fuel pump.Now when I turn over the motor I get a steady SMALL flow of fuel out of the line that goes to the carb.So i says yippe I got it. I start the motor and I have the exact same problem at high rpm.Should the tank ball stay hard once it is pumped up and the engine is running? I also understand roughly whats driving the fuel pump, "crank case pressure" but I have no way of telling if its working correctly. Someone also mentioned putting a small electric fuel pump in to assist or take over for the original pump. Has anyone done this and had it work?I would like to fix it right rather than monkey rig an add on pump. I look forward to your input. Thanks in advance
 

Evinrude Boater

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jul 6, 2004
Messages
1,144
Re: 1963 75 hp Starlite Evinrude "Wont run at High RPMS"

Does it surge when trying to accelerate? Your gas line or carb may be sucking air or the high speed jet(s) may be plugged. Remove the main jets and blow them out. The fuel bowl will drain washing anything out. A few threads on this lately including my own.
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: 1963 75 hp Starlite Evinrude "Wont run at High RPMS"

The two high speed jets that are located in the bottom portion of the carburetor are clogged. Clean the jets with a piece of single strand wire and the carburetor in general, then adjust as follows.

(Carburetor Adjustments - Older V/4 Downdraft Carb)
(J. Reeves)

NOTE: The early model downdraft carburetors incorporated "Adjustable High Speed Jets". The later model downdraft carburetors used "Fixed High Speed Jets". Follow the below instructions accordingly.

NOTE: If you do not have adjustable high speed jets, ignore those paragraphs pertaining to same...... BUT do make sure that you manually inspect and clean the two brass fixed high speed jets which would be located in back of the two 7/16" slotted hex head bolts in the bottom front portion of the float chamber.

Lift the center High Speed Control lever and turn it so that the point faces forward, resting on the high ridge. This will disengage the lever control gear from the individual high speed jets (slots). Have the slow speed needle valve knobs installed upside down so that they can be turned without encountering any obstruction.

Gently seat each of the High Speed needle valves, then back each one out one (1) turn. Gently seat each of the Slow Speed needle valves, then back each one out one and one half (1-1/2) turns. NOTE... have the jam nut on the s/speed needles snug so that vibration won't have any effect on them, but loose enough so that you can turn them without a great amount of effort.

(High Speed)
With a reliable person at the wheel, and one kneeling in front of the engine, start the engine (yes, it will run lousy with the above initial needle valve settings), put it into forward gear, and apply full throttle. Start with the High Speed adjustment on the left using a screwdriver that properly fits the slot.

(High Speed Adjustments)
At full throttle, with the proper size screwdriver, slowly start turning one of the H/S needles in segments of 1/8 turn, waiting momentarily for the engine to respond, then repeat turning. You will reach a point where the engine will start to die out. At that point, back that needle valve out approximately 1/4 turn. Now, go to the other High Speed needle valve and repeat that procedure. At some point in that 1/4 turn out, you will find the smoothest high speed setting (you can now lower the throttle rpm). That will have both high speed needle valves set correctly, and at that point you can lift that center lever adjustment of that high ridge, keeping it lifted until the point is facing the engine, then lower it into its proper position. (When you turn that lever now, you're adjusting both High Speed needle valves at the same time.)

(Slow Speed Adjustments)
Now, lowering the rpms of course, take the engine out of gear and set the throttle just to where the engine will stay running. Again, in segments of 1/8 turn, slowly start turning in one of the slow speed needle valves, waiting a few seconds between each turning for the engine to respond. As you turn the s/speed needles in, the rpms will increase..... and as it does, lower the rpms to where the engine will just stay running (otherwise the rpms will climb quite high). You will reach a point whereas the engine will either start to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back the needle valve out 1/4 turn. Repeat the process with the remaining slow speed needle. Again, at some point in that 1/4 turn out, you will find the smoothest setting. When finished, tighten the jam nut somewhat, then remove and reinstall the s/speed knobs correctly (right side up).
 

JeffGoldberg

Recruit
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
5
Re: 1963 75 hp Starlite Evinrude "Wont run at High RPMS"

Thanks for the advice. Ended up being a leaky coil.Stole the one from my 1964 F-100 and it runs great. Will order a marine one and thanks again. I wasn't really looking forward to taking those carbs apart again.
 
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