1964 evinrude big twin

[rebel16]

okay so i wound up buying the old corson with a 1964 evinrude 40 "big twin". its a manual shift with electric start. i have not tried the starter yet because because he said the battery is junk, so i havnt even bothered trying to charge it. but i can pull the motor over with the pull start, and with the spark plugs out it is only firing on one cylinder... so i want to know what would cause this. i want to save this motor because visually it is exceptional condition (other than a little sunfading) and it is the origional motor to the boat. or at least he had some of the brochures and paper work from it was purchased in '64.


thanks in advance for the help.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1964 evinrude big twin

What is the condition of the coils? Are they original?

Swap the coil from the known good one to a cylinder that is not firing, if it now fires, you will need to replace the coil.

 

[rebel16]

Re: 1964 evinrude big twin

well thats what i thought, but there are no external coils???

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1964 evinrude big twin

They are under the flywheel. They are magnetos. If you're changing one I'd change both. especially if they look original at all. The ignition system is quite simple and can be fully replaced for $150 or so...

BTW, you should check the compression on it to get a baseline. You will need a good battery though, or jump it from your car.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1964 evinrude big twin

Take the recoil off and open the little plate on the flywheel, rotate it and check the coils before you go any further. If they are cracked, they need to be replaced. If you have good spark on one wire/jug, I bet the other needs something as simple as the points cleaned and regapped. That involves pulling the flywheel with a harmonic balancer puller from any auto parts store. If the coils are shot, you might be out about $50...if not, only the time necessary to clean it up under the flywheel. Good luck, those are nice motors...be sure to check/change the LU lube. Try the starter with a fresh battery, hand pulling those beasts is TOUGH...as the Gump says. If it has a compression release it's easier, but still an arm breaker. This will raise your appreciation for starters immensely.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1964 evinrude big twin

That one might not have an inspection cover on the flywheel. You'll then have to pull the flywheel to see.

This is common......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1964 evinrude big twin

pulling flywheel, use only #8 hardened bolt, hardware store ones strip out. harmonic balancer puller.

 

[rebel16]

Re: 1964 evinrude big twin

okay that sounds like a good place to start. i havnt tinkered with it today, but i dont remember seeing if it had an inspection cover or not. but that is okay because i do have that type of puller hanging on my wall, good tip with the grade 8 bolts. thanks ill look into it maybe tomorrow evening after i get out of work or maybe saturday if i get a chance.