1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

[wildartstech]

Hello,
I have a 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hp. The engine looks to be in exceptional/like new shape. I test started in a tub and it was missing on one of the heads. So, I brought it home, I changed both spark plugs (brand new), started using 50:1 gas oil mix (fresh/new) and changed the oil on the lower unit... I hoped that it just needed new plugs as both of the old plugs were oil fowled (about what you'd expect). The rest was for good measure and honestly couldn't see or find anything that didn't seem to function on the engine. Like I said, excellent shape.

Took it out this weekend (good weather) and started in 3 pulls and drove for about 2-3 minutes on/off or so. The lower cylinder is still missing. It kicks in every couple of seconds hear and there. The engine starts and runs quite easily even with a missing cylinder and lean mixture doesn't seem to effect anything.

So I took out both spark plugs and could tell the top was hotter (as in working) and looked just fine after the 2-3 minutes of driving. the bottom was cooler (cylinder not igniting) and was already started fowling. I replaced the bottom with another brand new plug and started and drove for another 1-2 minutes and it was still missing. Took the plugs out and the same thing...

So basically everything seems alright except the missing cylinder. The plug keeps getting fowling but I don't know that it's that cause it happens right off the bat and/or never starts igniting. I think perhaps the timing could be off but nothing seems to be wrong with the coil/magneto and not sure how to fix that? Not sure what else? Could previous use of heavy oil mixture leave excess oil in the cylinder? I am going to take it apart but wanted some ideas of what I could be looking for, anyone have any ideas? the engine is worth fixing.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

Hi wildartstech. Great motor you've got there. I have a '66 20 hp, which is virtually identical. The 22 cu. in. are arguably he best pound for pound motors ever made. I think you may be dropping a cylinder. If the original factory coils have never been changed, then they are almost certainly bad and need to be changed. They were about the only weak point on these old gems. I would also suggest you rebuild the entire ignition if you haven't done so already just to be safe. No worries, a new tune up kit with points and condensers is only about $20. Coils are also about $20 each should you need them, but the new replacement coils are about 10000 more reliable than the old ones. Take special care that the points are very clan as well. I would also recommend replacing the spark plug wires too. You'll need 7mm COPPER core wires. Make sure you twist the new wires on to the coil posts rather than just poking them on there. If you can't find new wire, you can try snipping off about 1/2" of wire from the coil end to expose some new/fresh copper. Modern graphite core, automotive wires will not work. I've had luck buying the wire for about $3 a foot from auto parts stores like NAPA and Carquest. Champion J6C plugs are also best. Here are a couple great links that can walk you through an entire tune up from top to bottom. You can get any routine parts you my need right here at iboats. Good luck. Holler if you get stuck.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/max/index6.htm

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...on 3 HP 1952-1967 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

 

[wildartstech]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

Thanks a lot... this is very useful info. I'm emailing iboats to ask what parts I need to order. Can't wait... hopefully I can get this puppy running good before fishing season opens.

 

[scuba_redneck]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

From doing a bit of dabbling around on our host site, I found a few links for you

Here are your points and condensers
http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...gd_poid=111574&gd_row=16&session_id=405270959

and your coils
http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...gd_poid=109172&gd_row=73&session_id=405270959

 

[scuba_redneck]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

I recently worked a 1973 evinrude 18 hp back to life and I can't say enough good things about the guys on here. But back to the subject at hand. When installing your new points, make sure you do not touch the contact surface with your fingers. The little bit of oil that is on your hands will cause you many nightmares down the road if left there. When you are removing the stationary side of the points, there is no need to Also when you get all your hardware off of your armature plate, I would recommend that you spray it down with brake parts cleaner or something similar to remove all the oils from your base plate.

Here are a few other good links to walk you through the ignition side of these engines
http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...on 3 HP 1952-1967 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=531940

This link is a good overall reference for any work to be done on these older Johnson/Evinrude outboards. On these older motors, for the most part if you have seen one you have seen them all internally. The basic mechanisms are the same but with minute tweaks. You can get a good idea of what all is going on with this site.
http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/johnson_QD.htm

 

[wildartstech]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

Purchased new points, coils, condensers. Got the flywheel off only to find that everything was pristine on the inside except one of the points seemed miss adjusted. Replaced everything anyways and kept old parts (that looked new) put everything back together... tested in garbage can during the week and was good then took out this Saturday and worked for 15-20 seconds on the 2nd pull from the pier like a dream.. then it conked and started only hitting on one cylinder again. Took it home and just as suspected... one of the points adjust screw had come loose, (probably original issue) so I turned it in a bit tighter and think that it's golden again. Wish I would have thought of that first time around... but... questions, it seemed tighter but still kind of feels a little easy to turn and needless to say I will be bringing a harmonic balance puller and torque wrench next weekend to the lake... Should I consider putting locktight on the points screw adjuster to hold it in place? Also, noticed that some fuel/oil leaked into the water when cylinder was missing.. assumed missing cylinder was the cause? and finally, the points don't sit perfectly aligned to each other although they are very close on both the working cylinder and not working cylinder, which are now both adjusted, can that cause issues (seemed to be working with proper gap anyways)? Also what color should the spark be? Top cylinder is bright whitish purple/blue the other looked more orange, almost like full electrical current isn't going though although I believe the timing is well adjusted. First time around both were blue after adjustment.. not sure if I'm reading too far into it or not? plugs are brand new champions per specs.

BTW, thanks for all the help so far... I feel close to having a top notch running engine.. just strying to avoid multiple trips to the lake.. testing in a garbage can kind of stinks..

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

The points adjusting screw is always loose - the screw which attaches the points to the mag plate is the locking screw. With the locking screw loose, adjust the points with the "adjusting screw" then securely tighten down the "locking screw".
The point faces should align pretty closely. Did you thoroughly clean the mag plate underneath so the point set sits firmly on the plate?
Also, did you replace the old spark plug wires? They could be causing your weak spark.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

Hi wildarstech. Here's a link with lots of pics that can walk you through and entire ignition rebuild. It's for a different model than yours, but that's the beauty of these old OMC motors that use the much loved (and easy to work on) "universal magneto" system. Once you can fix a 3 hp you can fix anything up to a 33 hp. Holler if you get stuck.


http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...on 3 HP 1952-1967 Ignition System Tune-up.htm

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/columns/max/07/index.htm

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/max/index8.htm

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

The spark should be a bright blue with a real SNAP when it jumps the 1/4" gap on the inline tester.

Did you use aftermarket points? If so that is why they dont line up, I personally only buy OEM products for this reason.

If the cylinder is not firing, the fuel oil mix will not get burned up as you found.

Are you gettting perfect continuity on the plug wire? What about the condition of the spring in the boot?

 

[wildartstech]

Re: 1964 Evinrude Fastwin 18 hrs. - Missing one cylinder

Thanks all for the help... I tested the spark plug with the lights off and got the bright blue spark... the points were a little loose for my liking but I took it out last night and no failure.. status is excellent.. I do believe I had the point bracket screws in tight one seemed a bit tighter than the other. But apparently booth are in tight enough. So it flies around pretty fast.. I have it on a 1963 Alumacraft Deep C. Can't wait to go fishing this weekend. Note: the plug wires were fine actually probably didn't even need to change anything probably just needed to tighten up the points brackets... that's why I kept all the old parts but figured I wasn't sending the new stuff back so might as well use it.. Again.. Thank Everyone!