1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

meyerboy

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100
I rescued this fold-a-way from an abusive owner, and after three hours of cleaning neglect and bad decisions, she is purring away in the tank.

This is not a pretty motor, BUT a candidate for a complete rstoration. My question:

I was thinking this motor was 15 years in the garage without starting, so I ran it on 24 to 1 just for kind of a breakin period. She did'nt want to run at 1 and a half turns on the needle, so I leaned her out till she would run, and BAM the smoked stopped (still running fine) and she got really hot really fast.

SO... I riched it up, and throttled it up and the smoke re-appeared and the temp went to a normal range.

I have never experienced this before, is it possible to damage a head by running too lean ??
 

bktheking

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Jul 29, 2008
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Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Certainly can and will, no smoke is the first give away, I'd impeller that puppy too before putting it into service.

I'd clean the carb too, pull the flywheel and look at the situation under it, lots of things on the list.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

I have that identical engine. It has been in the family since '66'. She is getting a bit tired and rattles a bit. I would a guess at least 2000 hours on this engine. Most of those hours being very abusive (freezing/mud/hot, etc.) I have a lot of experience with her.

Some tips.

1. 50:1 is fine, especially with today's oils. 50:1 was recommended in '66'.

2. If you have the original (cork) carb. float, replace it with a modern version. Get an OEM carb kit from BRP.

3. Use ONLY Champion plugs.

4. The coils (ignition) are probably cracked. Replace them. Points and condensors rarely wear out, they just need cleaning (points).

5. The lower unit needs to be serviced using OMC/BRP "Hi Vis" lube. Plus replace the fill/drain plug seals. The Hi Vis is expensive but it sealed an upper driveshaft leak on mine.

6. Replace the water pump impeller. They are about $12.00. The housings are usually OK.

The exhaust reliefs (mid leg holes) get clogged up frequently. Use a toothpick to clean them out.

I, once, had to replace the powerhead to mid section gasket. The old oils carboned it up to the point that exhaust could not get down the the leg.

All in all, that is one of the finest engines EVER produced. It will troll all day at rev's that you can count.

You can put $100.00 into that engine and it will outlive you. Or. you can send it to me! I'll pay the freight!;)

Nice find!
 

meyerboy

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100
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Do you have the number on the plugs that you use??? This little guy had HOMELITE chainsaw plugs in it when I got her home!! I popped the flywheel, and the coils are newer than 1966 for sure. They are the purple variety, and no sign of cracks or anything like that. The exhaust plate is worrying me, it has been sealed with silicone, that cannot be good, and the lower end has nice clear blue-ish looking lubricant that is topped off. After running for a half-hour in the tank, there was no sign of leakage. The exhaust holes are all open and LOTS of water comes through.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Sounds good!

I believe they are J4J' or J6J's. I cannot look, at this time. The real issue is Champ's only. Believe me, I am no Champ. fan but they work in J/E's.

The exhaust plate is a simple fix, with a gasket. No worries. In the meantime, do you see water droplets on the plugs?

If so-STOP. Find the water (cooling) leak. It's probably that gasket, or lack of.

I think your next ventures are going to be carb. In the past, I've neglected carb float issues simply by regulating fuel flow with the tank shut off. Hey, Im not proud but it worked.:(;) As I said, this little 3 has been to hell and back, several times. A later carb kit fixed all of that.


The offer stands, ship it to me.:D
 

meyerboy

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Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

I have a "spare" carb that I keep on the bench. It fits almost 100 different small Rude and Johnson motors. The carb that came with the 1966 will need some attention before I can run it I am sure.
I am going to check the compression this afternoon, I will report back.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Be careful.

That little engine requires so liitle (air/fuel) that any change can make a huge difference. It may never run right again.
 

meyerboy

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Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Did the compression check and we have 90 LBS over 91 LBS.. not bad for an old powerhead. I think with that much compression, I will rebuild and restore this guy to as close to original as I can.
I will keep you posted on the progress.
 

cajuncook1

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Sep 3, 2009
Messages
559
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Just a little advice on measuring temps on that motor. Like the later 1.5hp and 2hp motors Evinrude/Johnson made post 1968 and mid 1970's motor......3hp made in the 1950 and 1960 do not have a thermostat. So.... to get an idea of your running temps you should measure your power-head temps on the starboard side of the motor along the side of the cylinders and I will explain why.

There is very little cooling taking place on the starboard side (where the exhaust cover plate is located)....it becomes blazing hot on that side as well as the front of the cylinder head cover(# 6 in the diagram).**This is consider normal****

Very little cooling is taking place in those two spots because of combustion behind cylinder head and hot gases being shuttled near the exhaust plate cover. So temps in those two areas are greater than 180 deg F.

Checking the temps for your motor should be on the starboard side... opposite side of the exhaust cover plate #25 in the diagram.

See the link for reference.(nice parts diagram for your motor)

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/278774/27877400001.htm

27877400006im.jpg




Even though the later 1960's engine are label for 50:1 usage.....I have been told that running the engine fuel/oil 24:1 ratio is preferred. Numerous experts on the AOMCI have stated this even for the late 1960's 3hp motors.

- 24:1 ratio will certainly not harm your motor.
- the extra oil helps with cooling in addition to providing lubrication and helps prevent premature wear of the pistons, rings, rods and bearings. (A couple of mechanics on that forum(AOMCI) have stated that they have seen premature wear and damage from these motors with 50:1 ratio (but they did state that it was acceptable to run the motors with that ratio)
- using synthetic TWC-3 marine oil will cause less smoking and is biodegradable. (it is a little more expensive but less harmful to the environment)

I am not try to contradict others.....because they probably have more knowledge and experience under there little finger nail than I have. I am only passing along the information that I gathered and learned when I rebuilt my 1971 2hp Johnson and 1957 3hp Evinrude. (Source information came from service manuals, information here on this great forum (iboats) and AOMCI (Antique Outboard Motor Club Inc).

Good luck......DJ is right....you have one hell a great little motor!!!

Oh....you may see some water dripping from below the exhaust cover panel(on the port side).

- The dripping is from the water flush plug, is certainly normal (Think your motor has this) (My 1957 3hp Evinrude does anyway)

Here is a video to show what I am taking about. (click on the picture)

 

meyerboy

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Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

That is a LOT of info, Thanks. I think I am going to go with your hunch and run 24 - 1 on this motor. I have a tank of 24 - 1 that I keep for a CD-17. I have 16-1 that I have to have to run a 1956 Johnson 3hp, and I have a tank of 10-1 that I need to run my seagull collection.

I have a 1955 Evinrude 3hp 3014 that looks very nice, I bought it froman estate and it has been sitting for a year waiting for room on the bench. I have a "thing" for the 3hp twins, the way they sound is great.

Question: is the green and blue motor in your video a 1966 evinrude? Also, I watched the water drip vid, and have never seen any of mine do that.
 

cajuncook1

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Joined
Sep 3, 2009
Messages
559
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

That is a LOT of info, Thanks. I think I am going to go with your hunch and run 24 - 1 on this motor. I have a tank of 24 - 1 that I keep for a CD-17. I have 16-1 that I have to have to run a 1956 Johnson 3hp, and I have a tank of 10-1 that I need to run my seagull collection.

I have a 1955 Evinrude 3hp 3014 that looks very nice, I bought it froman estate and it has been sitting for a year waiting for room on the bench. I have a "thing" for the 3hp twins, the way they sound is great.

Question: is the green and blue motor in your video a 1966 evinrude? Also, I watched the water drip vid, and have never seen any of mine do that.

Well 24:1 will certain not harm or cause problems with the motor and may insure longevity!

I run 16:1 on my 1957 Evinrude 3hp as well.

The green and blue is from the previous owner's poor job of trying to make the 1957 Evinrude 3hp look like it had been used little. (But I saw right through that....paid about $70 because it had good compression and I had been looking for a little while for one and wanted one.)

There are a little words written on the port side cover that state, "water flush" I posted that video on the Aomci website to get an expert opinion and I was told that it was normal. The dripping is from the water flush plug.

***But I could have been mislead*** Please let me know if you find out something different. The little motor has been running great as a backup kicker.....idles low too.

Later on, I would like strip the previous owner paint job attempt and try to restore the correct color paint and decals.

Good luck!!!
 

meyerboy

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Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

I found this guy a while back, he seems high, but then again... where you gonna find the exact decals you need?

http://www.nymarine.ca/
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Thanks. I think I am going to go with your hunch and run 24 - 1 on this motor. I have a tank of 24 - 1 that I keep for a CD-17. I have 16-1 that I have to have to run a 1956 Johnson 3hp, and I have a tank of 10-1 that I need to run my seagull collection.


For what it's worth. OMC went to 50:1 in 1963.

My '66' has seen nothing but. As I stated, mine has seen a LOT of hours (2K) and abusive ones at that. We sometimes got the mix a little "fat" and I think that led to the lower leg and leg/powerhead joint getting coked up.
 

cajuncook1

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Sep 3, 2009
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559
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

Also, I watched the water drip vid, and have never seen any of mine do that.

I got in touch with an AOMCI antique outboard expert on 3hp Evinrude/Johnson series. He stated it was not uncommon for the washout plugs to leak some water and to resolve it by cleaning the screw (large one just below the exhaust plate...in the middle of the screen supplied in the previous post) and applying some gasket sealer on the threads and screwing it back in. Let it cure for the recommended time stated by the gasket sealer instructions and all should be good.

Post pictures or video when you get your motor in order!! I think those little series of motors or cool:cool: They are light and versatile.

Later and good luck!
 

tomthbomb

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Joined
May 15, 2013
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Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

I just bought one of these. It is a 1967. I am trying to find someone in my neck of the woods to replace the impeller and gear grease before I take it out.

Once the gas runs down to the cab it starts on the first pull and purrs like a kitten. I am not satisfied with the amount of water coming out of the weep holes. The seller said once it reaches operating temp the thermostat opens and the water will flow.

I researched it on line and found out that the 3hp Evinrudes didn't have thermostats until 1968.

Sorry to hijack the thread but it was too similar to my situation I thought we could all learn something.:)

 

Crosbyman

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5,656
Re: 1966 Evinrude 3hp Run Lean / Run Hot!!

fyi on KIJIJI here in Montreal one fellow asking 800$ for his folding 3hp with case

paid $50 my "non folding" JW20b

it is not sold yet :)
 
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