1967 Evinrude won't start

[Evinrookie]

I recently purchase a boat with a 67 80 HP Evinrude Speedifour. The first time I took it out to the lake I didn't even get off the trailer. Due to a loose wire on the fuel pump I ended up draining my battery and flooding the engine. After a change of plugs the engine still wouldn't start until I got a little help from this forum when I was told to oil the bendix and give it a few turns by hand. Started right up! Now back at the lake to drop it off so I could get my trailer weighed, the engine ran long enough for me to pull away from the dock and park her near the shore so I could do the trailer thing.
When I got back the thing refused to start and it seemed like the battery was dead again. I replaced the old battery (900 Cranking Amps; 720 CCA) with a new one (875 CA; 675 CCA). Still nothing. I then notice that the starter was spinning but the gear was not moving up to engage the flywheel. The starter drive gear and shaft all seem to be well oiled. I need to know what else would cause the gear to not move. Is it a battery, starter, solenoid, or even cut-out switch problem? If it's the starter, does anyone know where I can get one and what the part number is?
Please help.
Thanks.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

If it is like the starter on most Evinrudes I've seen the bendix is centrifugal in that it automatically comes up when the starter spins. See if you can turn the bendix by hand and it if comes up.

 

[Evinrookie]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

I've turned the bendix by hand when I oiled it but never noticed the gear moving up. When I turn the key I can see the shaft spinning like crazy but the gear never moves up to engage the flywheel.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

OK, I assume that by "oiling" it, you have determined that the pinion gear will move up and down on the spirol shaft by turning it. That is, If you hold the gear stationary and turn the shaft in the proper direction, the gear will move upward. If so, the pinion is known to be free to rotate on the shaft. In other words, there is nothing wrong with it.

So why won't it kick itself up? It works on Newton's first law of motion which says that an object at rest remains at rest unless some force acts upon it. (In so many words). The practical application of this law says that the pinion gear wants to stay at rest when the shaft starts spinning. Because the pinion is at rest and the shaft turns, the pinion moves upward as when you did it with your fingers in the above test. The only difference is that Newton's Law is holding the gear stationary instead of your fingers.

Again, so why won't it kick itself up? Because the starter shaft isn't accelerating fast enough. The speed that it eventually rotates under no load has nothing to do with it. It is the ACCELERATION of the shaft from a standstill that counts. That is the quickness that it takes off. IT HAS TO TAKE OFF ALMOST INSTANTLY.

Bottom line: Your starter is not taking off instantly because it is weak somewhere. That could be bad connections, bad battery, or bad starter motor. Which one of the problems it is, I can't answer for you.

 

[Evinrookie]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

Thanks for the insight F_R. I'm going to pick up a voltage meter and test the power to the starter and solenoid tonight. It would be a huge relief if I've only got a bad connection somewhere. If it turns out to be the starter, do you know where I can get a new one or at least a rebuild kit?
Thank you again for you help.

 

[Evinrookie]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

I picked up a voltage meter and tested all my connections at the starter, ignition, battery, solenoid, and cut-out switch. Looks like my starter is shot. So begins my expensive journey into the life of a boater.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

Pull your starter apart and check the brushes. They may be worn beyond recognition and you'll just have to replace them. EASY!

 

[Evinrookie]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

I pulled the starter and just as Evinrude Boater said, the brushes were shot. However the armature looked in questionable condition too. $90 later for a rebuild and I was out cruisin' with her for the first time this weekend. Thanks, for everyone's help on this and I'm sure I'll be back soon begging for more help on this old girl.

Cheers!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

you got off lucky with a rebuild. could have been double that for a new one. congrats. enjoy.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

What was wrong with the armature? Just curious since I'm rebuilding mine this fall.

 

[Evinrookie]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

The lower portion of the armature that the brushes contact was very dirty and pitted. The guy I took it to cleaned it up and machined it to remove the pitting. Luckily, the gears were in great shape. It was proably a job I could have done myself but seeing as how they haven't made parts for my engine in over 20 years I didn't want to take the chance of messing that thing up (not to mention the great deal I got on the work). Also, I don't have a soldering iron and would have had to buy one to make the connections. Good luck with your starter rebuild. What kind of engine?

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 1967 Evinrude won't start

I have a 1964 Evinrude 75hp Speedifour, as featured in my avatar.