1970s Evinrude Starflite 85hp

[twmattox]

I am brand new to owning a boat. Last night, just bought a '72 Fabuglas with an 85hp Evinrude. I have some friends that have indicated they will help me "figure it out"; but, they all own more modern boats and I don't know how well that will translate to my old one. Are there any "user guides" or something that can walk me through what the controls do? I know there are push buttons for the transmission and the control box has some toggles, a key (that pushes in), and the main throttle. What do each of these control?

Right now, I just want to worry about winterizing the motor. I have read a TON of different conflicting opinions on what to do and how to do it.

 

[racerone]

Make sure there is no water in the lower unit.-----Then do a compression test.----Post your numbers.

 

[twmattox]

Make sure there is no water in the lower unit.-----Then do a compression test.----Post your numbers.

Sorry. This is my first boat, so I don't really understand what you mean about no water. It is sitting on my trailer in my driveway...it isn't in water.

As far as compression testing. I know for the old vehicles I have worked on, this entails removing the main distributor wire and cranking the engine. How do I crank the motor with this? I assume turn the key? But does it have to be in gear? What about the little switches. Do I push in on the key when I turn it or just turn the key without pushing in or turn the key and then push in...

 

[iggyw1]

Best way to determine that there is no water in the lower unit is to drain the oil from the gear case. If it is milky colored, it has water in it. Put fresh new oil in the gear case after you drain it, and if the old oil had water in it, do not run the motor again until you fix the leak letting the water into the lower unit. But just leave the new oil in it for the winter to winterize the motor. YOU DO NOT WANT WATER IN THE LOWER UNIT DURING THE WINTER FOR SURE. If old oil was clean, you did not have water in it, and you will be able to run the motor next spring in the water or in your driveway with muffs on it or a drum of water. NEVER run the motor even for a few seconds without water hooked up to it or on a lake.

To test the compression, you need a compression gage and remove a spark plug. Connect the gage into the spark plug hole. (HOLD IT IN THE HOLE OR SCREW IT IN, DEPENDS ON THE GAGE) You will need to know how to read the gage. Google it. Turn the key to crank the engine while the gage is connected (no need to push key in while doing this test) and this will tell you the compression. Do this to each cylinder, one at a time. This operation may take two people, (depending on what type of compression gage you have). Get yourself a repair manual and you will learn a lot, especially the basics like what you are asking about here.

NOTE: Motor in neutral while testing compression, and gas line disconnected.

 

[F_R]

UM----"some" toggle switches??? How many is "some"? It is supposed to have one toggle switch below the key switch and the key switch does not push in. So...reading between the lines, that suggests that possibly the push button switch is shot ($$$$$$). The toggle below the key switch is the choke switch. Hold it up to choke while turning the key to start. All this is assuming the motor and control are 1972 and as-built. Model number?

For you, you want an Owner's Manual, not a service manual. Owner's manual tell how to operate and maintain the motor. Service manual tells how to fix it when it's broke. Both are available from www.outboardbooks.com

 

[racerone]

Time to do some reading about boats and motors.-----It takes more than 5 minutes to learn about outboard motors.----Knowing about 2 stroke motors and how they operate can save you a lot of grief and money.------Not the same as a modern car where you just need to know how to " push a start button " I say.