1974 Evinrude 9.9 Budget Res

[smiles16]

Friend of mine just dropped off an old evinrude 9.9 that came with a fishing boat he purchased. This thing is a rough. The idle speed and mix adjust knobs are MIA, so I’m gonna have to rig something to work or scrounge for parts. Also, the pull rope and handle are missing as well.

Before I do anything, I want to check the compression. Can I use an impact on the crank bolt for this or will that damage the internals?

Does anyone have a good source for vintage ‘rude parts other than ebay?

For the record, I told him this motor would be better suited for a decoration or a donor for a better setup. He’s insistant on trying to save it.

 

[Chinewalker]

I've started with worse! Knobs and handles are still available. Rope it over with a cord knotted at the end to get your compression reading. Flywheel has a notch for the knot. Check for spark while you're at it. That motor should have the low-tension magneto - tricky, but more or less functional system. There were several service bulletins from OMC to deal with issues on the 1974s. Searching these forums may turn up some of them.

 

[lmuss53]

I spin these over with a 19.2 volt Craftsman drill, not with an impact, Be careful there is a lot of torque involved and you need to hang on to the drill motor. It will also sometimes jump ahead on you and try to pull the drill out of your hand and unscrew the flywheel nut when it starts. It beats pulling them 1000 times when you're working on them. I think it also give you a more accurate compression test.

 

[F_R]

1974-76 9.9 & 15hp models gave LOTS of running problems. Personally, I wouldn't waste my time on it. But go ahead, if you must.

 

[oldrem]

I've had great luck finding old OMC parts no one else carries anymore from http://cjsmarine.com Contact Lissa - she's a real trooper. Even helped me track down an original timing tool for my 75 Johnson

 

[smiles16]

Thanks guys! Just the info I was looking for.

 

[racerone]

It has to be a really good friend in order to spend time on a motor like that.-----You may spend money on parts.-----And a huge amount of effort.----Your friend might be expecting this motor to run like a new one.------Not worth doing for someone else.-----For myself I might spend time on one but prefer a newer model say 1980 to 84.----Just that the newer ones have better bearings on the wrist pins and electronic ignition that does not use breaker points.

 

[thumbnut]

If ya have to get pistons make sure you get the larger wrist pin style just as racerone says...just push out the cage from the rods..ya don't need new rods.

 

[thatone123]

Many in the North prefer these motors as they are NO CODE and no CDI's to leave you stranded. They are one of the most loved (all years) and one of the most reliable outboards period. IT is the only outboard that has a complete and reasoned website that in depth covers this motor from nut to bolt, start to finish. You just can't go wrong with them. They were in some ways the new portable outboard for the modern era. The previous 9.5 series was good, but this one better by far. Even the early 70's models are good as long as you keep the right oil mix. I have seen these so filthy and beat, one would guess they should never run, but they just keep on goin'

 

[flyingscott]

The 74-76 model 9.9\15 do NOT have good reliable ignition systems. The low tension magneto requires a lot more maintenance than the older style magneto it replaced. The 74-76 models had idling issues,lower unit issues and bad magneto issues. Just not a great motor. I agree with racer find a 77 or newer motor just because the cdi ignition was a vast improvement. And they were just better running motors with most of the kinks worked out.

 

[racerone]

Agreed-----Know of a dealer that said to his help ---" the factory has not been any help to deal with the complaint on these "-----So they took one apart way back in the day to see what they could do.-----Issues were found with these early motors !!----The 74 / 75 /76 models are not as good as some would try to make us believe !!

 

[Stumpalump]

I call bull. 74-76 were great. If you have one with magneto problems it's because the upgrade was not performed. The upgrade is a new magneto plate bearing . It's stops the ignition points plate and magneto from moving around. The movement cause the point gap to change. If the points plate is kinda loosey goosey then fix it with a new bearing.

 

[racerone]

Amazing.----Myself I have plenty of newer ones to work on / refurbish.---I do pick-up the 74/76 models because the gearcase is the same to 92 and also " fits " the last ones in 2007 model year.

 

[thumbnut]

I call bull. 74-76 were great. If you have one with magneto problems it's because the upgrade was not performed. The upgrade is a new magneto plate bearing . It's stops the ignition points plate and magneto from moving around. The movement cause the point gap to change. If the points plate is kinda loosey goosey then fix it with a new bearing.

Yes..the ignition does not have quite the snap of the cdi but..the real issue is too much carb opening from idle to 3/4 throttle with respect to the timing. That and the early carbs had a main jet that would start feeding a little too soon. Tough to jet that out. I back cut the main nozzle a little to delay feeding. If that motor has the large curved throttle cam look for the other one. If your friend looks on ebay the pics there will help find the better one. Its got a compound curve on it. The 87'- 92 head with the thermo on top will fit and works a whole lot better. There is no cooling jacket over the plugs on the newer head. Will have to mod cowl to fit. Those are the biggest offenders. The brown thrust bearing for the ignition helps but also check the clearance at the center pivot as mine would rattle it self to death. Had to fabricate a steel collar as the aluminum block was worn and pounded out real bad.

If the decision is made to repair don't bother unless one does the above. You will have to run b5 ngk heat range without the mods for any kind of spark plug reliability.

If one has the ability to fabricate a little there is a 3/8 passage between the intake runners on the 93 and up intake manifold that really helped mine. Look on ebay for pics..thats how I discovered that..I packed gas tank repair epoxy on the outside of the manifold and die ground with burr bit the passage on the inside. Not a must but really brought mine alive..

 

[fireman57]

I have a 1976 9.9 that I bought new and I have no idea how many hours (I would believe in the low thousands) an dhave no problem what so ever. I clean the carb when it starts running a little "iffy" and change the plug every 5 years or so. I would never run ngk's in it as these engines were built around Champion plugs. Good solid engine if you just do basic maintenance once in a while including checking/changing lower unit fluid.

 

[thumbnut]

I have a 1976 9.9 that I bought new and I have no idea how many hours (I would believe in the low thousands) an dhave no problem what so ever. I clean the carb when it starts running a little "iffy" and change the plug every 5 years or so. I would never run ngk's in it as these engines were built around Champion plugs. Good solid engine if you just do basic maintenance once in a while including checking/changing lower unit fluid.

I was just giving a heat range that worked for me before I modded mine..run the plug ya want..

The 74 and 76 use different carb bodies..the 76 better tuned..

 

[fireman57]

Just saw where the '76 was lumped in with the earlier models that did some some problems that were properly noted.

 

[thatone123]

I call Bull 2 as if the original series of this outboard were so bad, the outboard would not have thrived and went into production (with many buyers) for so long. Some folks know a lot but are shop queens and have never been away much from urbanity. These are loved in Canada where you may not come across another human for days or weeks on very long rivers, where you are really truly somewhere, not in the middle of nowhere and you better be prepared. People tell me, "but you can afford any outboard you want, why do you use OMC's 30/40/50 years old. I usually change the subject and let them figure it out. Thousands of these early models were used in fish camps also. Some camps might have 15-20 of them. Some are most likely still running. Many times the pull start, throttle handle, shifter will be totally worn or replaced a number of times, but ol' flathead will still be running strong.

 

[flyingscott]

I call Bull 2 as if the original series of this outboard were so bad, the outboard would not have thrived and went into production (with many buyers) for so long. Some folks know a lot but are shop queens and have never been away much from urbanity. These are loved in Canada where you may not come across another human for days or weeks on very long rivers, where you are really truly somewhere, not in the middle of nowhere and you better be prepared. People tell me, "but you can afford any outboard you want, why do you use OMC's 30/40/50 years old. I usually change the subject and let them figure it out. Thousands of these early models were used in fish camps also. Some camps might have 15-20 of them. Some are most likely still running. Many times the pull start, throttle handle, shifter will be totally worn or replaced a number of times, but ol' flathead will still be running strong.

Do you know what a low tension magneto is? Because nobody who knows anything would say it's better than a CDI ignition. Nobody would even say it's better than the magneto it replaced.

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[thatone123]

Does not matter if I know what it is. In the old days in the bush I carried spare mags and points, and many other parts on long trips. now I carry spare CD's, not to mention I "cache" spare outboards in prime places that are traveled often. Could you tell me if you blow a head gasket 400 miles down a northern river with no repair shops, towns or people, how do you fashion a head gasket out of natures bounty? People in the northern bush of Canada and Alaska have to make do with what little they have available and are the originators of "hack" repairs, if you know what they are. Bailing wire and duck tape are our friends, along with creative and original thinking.