1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

[stingertrey]

I just got this motor running and it wasnt pumping water and I just pulled the power head and lower unit off and found that the water pump impeller on it was still in really good shape so now im wondering why it isnt pumping?

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Were you running it in a barrell or in the lake? You either need a large barrell (at least 55 gallons) or run it in the lake to really provide that pump with the amount of water pressure it needs. I had one that wouldn't pump worth a darn in a smaller trash can but was fine in the water.


Remember there's no tell-tale, only the exhaust relief ports. They should mist at idle and you should have a good amount of spray when you wind it up.

Obviously check your water tube for obstructions as well.

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

ok im about to go blow everything out with air and just put it back together... kinda aggravating taking all that apart to find out it wasnt the problem.. and i had it in 55 gallon drum..

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

The key is that the bulge where the waterpump is be submerged when running in a barrel - those pumps are not self-priming...

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Yea i know that.. any other suggestions?

 

[kbait]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Dumb question, but is the impeller key intact that connects impeller to drive shaft? And was the water tube connected to the grommet at the top of the water pump housing?

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Yea The key was in it and when i put it back together i cleaned and blew everything out slopped some silicone between the lower unit and leg and gonna start it again tommorow and see if it pumps if it doesnt im gonna lose my mind

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

The thermostat isn't going to allow water return till it heats up, keep that in mind, is the motor actually overheating? I know my little 5.5 doesn't start spitting water immediately it takes a while for the engine to heat up.

 

[Buzzwindrip]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

I am glad to see this thread. I just picked up a '63 5.5 yesterday, advertised as not working. Owner said it wasn't "peeing" water. He also mentioned something about the impeller just spinning. Apparently a friend of his worked on it. When I pulled the motor out of the car after picking it up, there was a small key-like chunk of metal laying on the deck. About 3/16" square, and 3/4' long. Impeller key?
Does the water "indicate" through that port on the back of the exhaust housing as a spray mixed with exhaust, kind of like my 2 HP '83 Seahorse does?
And is removal of the powerhead required to get the LU off?
I was hoping this would be simple, hehe...

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

maybe the impeller key is prolly around that size and i got mine running in no time replaced the coils regapped the points and filed them a bit to clean them bc there picky.. bypassed my old fuel filter bc it was stopping fuel all together rather than filtering.. crunk right up.. but yea i replaced the impeller and sealed everything back up after blowing and cleaning it all.. so it better spit some water tommorow.. and yes it spits water out the back of the leg a small hole shooting straight down.. .. and dumb question.. HOW will i know if the motor overheats????? i mean i realize it will mess it up but wheres the sign?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

If you can't hold your finger on the cylinder head for at least 3 seconds, she's overheating. If it isn't spitting water out the leg pretty quick, it's not working right. As far as I know, even if the thermostats were stuck closed, water would still go out the exhaust relief if the pump was sending water up the leg---it just wouldn't go through the water jackets in the powerhead. --I could be wrong.
All my 50's and 60's motors (which are 7.5hp and above) put out a lot of water through the exhaust relief. Much more than a mist, I'd say. If you're not satisfied with the finger test, get a cheapo infrared thermometer from Harborfreight for $20. It's worth its weight in gold. Tashasdaddy recommended it to me and it was good advice as usual. I've used it on outboards, trucks, etc.
JBJ

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

I mean is it possible to have an impeller completely intact.. looks fine. but not actually be fine? bc the one i pulled out wasnt broke up.. dry rotted.. or anything.. but im no expert with them either.. I just wondering why it was spitting water out..?

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Oh yea and buzzwindrip.. You have to remove the power head to disconnect the shift linkage to slide the lower unit apart.. its tedius but has to be done

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Did your impeller fins stick straight out and feel nice and springy or were they bent around a lot and stiff? If they are bent around a lot and stiff, they have taken a set and won't pump right. How about the intake? Are you sure it's clear all the way to the pump body?

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Yea i took it out and it stayed bent and sounds from the way you explained to have taken set.. and if it wasnt all clean it should be now.. i sprayed water directly into everything and ran a small wire into it all to try to dislodge anything in it..

 

[kbait]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

should be good to go!

 

[kbait]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

oh. Never heard of siliconing the joint where the leg meets the lower.. I'm sure it's not needed, but can't hurt I guess..

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

oh. Never heard of siliconing the joint where the leg meets the lower.. I'm sure it's not needed, but can't hurt I guess..

Definitely not needed.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Wont do a thing. It's under water and open to the outside anyway via the lower exhaust tube.

 

[stingertrey]

Re: 1963 evinrude 5.5 hp

Yea I wasnt sure as i have never done it myself and I went to vintage-outboard-repair.com and they had a whole page of steps with pics of how to change the impeller on this motor and he siliconed it up so i figured hey i will to?...