1971 40hp Evinrude w/ controls question

[Rwed]

I was asked to see if I can get this motor running by this guy. It's electric start with helm steering. I don't have room for him to bring the whole boat over. My question: Is there a way to rig the motor from the battery without the controls? like hot wire or something? so far I've only worked on tiller steering motors.

 

[jimmbo]

The engine should run if the wiring harness is unhooked. It is a magneto ignition and the ignition switch grounds the circuit to kill the engine. Without the harness the circuit is not grounded and the engine will run. You will have to pull start it, but it isn't to bad. If you want use the electric starter, you could run jumper cables to the solenoid or directly to the starter

That engine has seen better days
It is a 71, as it has an adjustable Hi Speed needle on the carb, unique for that yr only

First thing, do a compression test, that will determine if you want to spend any more time on it. If good, pull the flywheel off and inspect the coils, the points, condenser, upper crankshaft seal(if wet with oil, it will need replacing).
Replacing the water pump impeller is pretty much a given, before running the engine.
Entire Fuel system will need some TLC, cleaning, inspection.

Initial settings for mixture needles:
Hi Speed - 1 turn out from lightly seated
Low Speed - 1 1/2 turns out from lightly seated

 

[F_R]

The safety switch has been disabled on that motor. That means it can be remotely started at wide open throttle (in gear) and maybe run over something or somebody.

Furthermore, that arouses a suspicion that it was disabled because the safety switch is blown. If it is blown, the vacuum cut-out switch won't work. And if the vacuum cut-out is not working, there is a danger of the motor running wild if you rev it up above fast idle in neutral. If it does run wild, and you do not have the remote electric cable connected, you may not be able to slow it down.

See the white wire grounded to the starter bracket? It is not supposed to be grounded. Instead, it is supposed to go on the stud along with the blue wire coming off the vacuum switch. Actually, that blue wire is not original. It is supposed to be white.

People mess with these things, not realizing the consequences. Or not caring. Somebody could get hurt or killed, or severe damage done.

 

[Rwed]

Again, thanks for the help. In your opinion, if the compression is all there, how complicated is to solve the issues you mentioned FR?

 

[F_R]

Connect the wires per the diagram I posted. Check the safety switch continuity with a multimeter

 

[Rwed]

FR. I'm not sure I see a diagram posted. Is it in a different location?

 

[F_R]

Sorry about that, I got you mixed up with a similar question on another forum. I don't have a diagram for your motor, but this is as close as I can come. The part we are discussing should be the same.

 

[Rwed]

ty F_R gives me something to look at. I'll be back.also, thanks, jimboo, once again great advice from iboats