1969 85 HP Evinrude Model 85993 Starflite , no fire

[baitslinger]

I have a 1969 Evinrude 85 HP Outboard Motor. It is a Model 85993 Starflite Selectric Shift. It has been a great Motor, but it is OLD. I reached my mechanical limits with it after replacing the amplifier, coil, plugs and points. I was lucky enough to get a service manual when I bought the motor several years ago. The motor was running great and just stopped, no fire and no apparent mechanical failure other than the wires on the old amplifier had shorted where the plastic coating had cracked and fell off. (Yes we checked the fuse) The motor still turns over and occasionally gets fire as you let off of the ignition key.((weird) since the new amplifier and coil.) We have replaced the amplifier, coil, plugs, the dual points, the wire up to the points, and cleaned & re-grounded most of the grounding points. So far about $400.00 invested in the repair and still not running because we cannot get fire to the plugs. I now have "an expert troubleshooter" helping me who says we need to go ahead and replace the cap and rotor. ( $140.00 in parts) Where do I cut my losses? Does anyone reading this have a similair experience? If this does not work what next, re-wire? Are we on the right track or just helping out the parts guy?<br /><br />Second line of thought, is there an alternative or replacement for the factory electrical system? Everyone I have talked to says the factory system on this motor is a very poor system in comparison to todays. I have had 2 different mechanics tell me to give it up. They say there boneyards are full of these aged motors that they have spent many hours trying to troubleshoot unsuccessfully.<br /><br />11/30/02 -- Got it running. There is a switch under the flywheel that prevents the motor from running backwards if it backfires. It was grounding out. I new it was going to be simple. Just had to have the patience to track it down.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1969 85 HP Evinrude Model 85993 Starflite , no fire

hard to know what is too much in a losing cause. I had a '70 version of your motor for a number of years, and it was a good runner (as yours has been). I had some ignition problems too (misfiring and generally some uneven running) -- problem was the distributor cap. Mine had a hairline crack. I opted for a used cap, and that worked out very well.

 

[scotttodd]

Re: 1969 85 HP Evinrude Model 85993 Starflite , no fire

I have a 1965 75HP Evinrude Starflite and it also only fires up when you release the starter key... strange. For some reason the starter only fires up the cylinders once disengaged: I wonder if its because I'm using a 1000 cranking amp battery and the original owner's manual only calls for a 300 amp battery. Maybe the 1000 amps is turning the engine at too high of an rpm to fire up, so the engine only starts once the clutch disengages and the rpms slow down. Well that's my wild ass guess.<br /><br />I have no running problems. It has started every time for me this summer (only three uses so far).