1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

[Shakemsam]

Hey all, I need some help with this motor. Runs fine on muffs and also initially after launched.
Then when I restart after fishing, falls on its face above idle in forward and will stall. If I am real easy on the throttle, she will cough,sputter and eventually catch. Runs great otherwise. If I slow down to idle, it will take right off as well. It really only has an issue if I shut it off. Things I have done.......

Carbs cleaned and rebuilt
Linc&Sync
Fuel Pump Rebuilt
New Primer Bulb
Plugs initially gapped at .40 (based on manual)
now between .40-.30 based on some posts Ive read. (It has helped a bit)

More info.....the carbs have fixed jets and I notice the high speed jets in the bowls, do not have the spring
clips you often find. It also does not show them in any of the manual photos. However I read an article that said you should use them if the needles have rubber tips. The original ones must have been all brass?
Not sure.....could that be my issue? I really don't think my issue is fuel, considering it runs well when first launched. At this point, I am guessing coils, maybe brain box??

And it continues....the Power Pilot Control Box has been a major PITA! About once every trip, I have to tear it down while on the water because the lever travels too far forward and when I return to idle, and I will have no forward gear, only throttle. It also wont go into reverse at all. If I shut it off, it wont start because the neutral safety switch is not correct. I have to tear it down and realign the the nylon gears as they have skipped a gear forward. Then all good till next time!

Any help, thoughts, advice, etc.....would really be appreciated.

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

take a timing light and check for spark on each plug wire when it does this. you could be dropping a cylinder due to a bad coil that overheats. As for your control box check ebay for another. It sounds like the one you have is pretty far gone and unsafe.

 

[Shakemsam]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

I have checked the timing while on muffs after letting it run. Shut her down......check it again.

NP's timing is spot on. Would timing be different under load?

 

[Shakemsam]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

Bump

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

It won't work on muffs as you don't have the back pressure and you are not running under a load. Next time it does this use the timinglight to see if you are losing spark. you might want to have another boat with you in case you do need a tow. how long do you have to let it sit before it will restart? Sometimes these coils break down after they have heated up and that is when the problem show up.

 

[Shakemsam]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

It always restarts, just does not idle real well. I have to use the cold start lever and then be careful with the throttle. Too much throttle, too quick and she will quit.

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

so you shouldn't get stranded. Just stay around the ramp area. make sure it is warmed up good and mimic the conditions that it did it in.

 

[Shakemsam]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

An update if anyone is following.....

Determined to be a fuel issue. I am able to get the motor to stop sputtering by applying just a bit of choke manually. Not too much or it will quit (expected). Once the rpms are good, I can release the choke and off we go. What stumps me is why it will run perfect every time when first launched. Then, every time thereafter, she is just a bit lean off idle.

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

you need to clean/rebuild your carbs. If you have to give it a little choke then it sounds like on of your low speeds jets is clogged.these engines will run pretty good on one cylinder.

 

[eavega]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

You might also want to look at your fuel pump/fuel lines. If you are getting air in the system, then you are starving for fuel when you increase fuel requirements (throttling up). I had a problem with the motor falling on its face unless you babied the throttle on my 70 HP. I had suspected the fuel pump was not working right, so I rebuilt it. What i didn't notice was that there was a crack in the plastic housing that may have been letting air in when the pump started working harder (throttling up). I replaced the fuel pump for a new one, and the hesitation got considerably better. I had other issues with the motor, but the leaking fuel pump definitely had its part in my problems.

Rgds

 

[Shakemsam]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

Thanks guys for the help. I guess I will go the rebuild route again. Just don't understand why the darn thing runs without issue when first launched. I also would think if it were just an issue of fuel starvation, pumping the bulb would help as well as the choke, but it has no effect.

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

If pumping your primer bulb has no effect then your fuel pump is good. If it runs good cold I would suspect an ignition coil breaking down when it gets warmed up/hot. When it falls on it's face next time check for spark on each cylinder.

 

[Shakemsam]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

Spark is good and I changed 1 coil because there was a bare spot on a wire where it was glued in. No effect!

I do know it's fuel, based on it its reaction when a little choke is given. That, or it's sucking air someplace!

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1977 55hp Evinrude Ignition Problem?

check all your lines for cracks even vacuum lines. otherwise it sounds like a carb rebuild to me