1978 55hp evinrude

aejeffor

Cadet
Joined
Apr 14, 2004
Messages
13
well ive pretty much rebuilt everything on this motor and continually had sut outs at high speeds. i thought it was the carbs, but turns out the idle screw was set to idle too high. after about 6 months aof replacing parts i lowered the idle, and everything ran perfectly.<br /><br />so of course, i opened her up and ran at full throttle for about 15-20 minutes. it ran like a new boat. no knocking or shuddering. smooth as could be. then all of a sudden, i lost all power and the engine went to idle, then cut off. i could not start it back up, so i waited about an hour. i finally got it started with the warm up switch engaged, but the rpms were almost idle speed...very low. as soon as i try to disengage the warm up switch to run at regular idle, the engine quits. im worried that i ran it too hard to quick and maybe blew a cylinder or something....what are the symptoms? can anyone help>?<br /><br /><br />so far the motor has newly rebuilt carbs, new fuel lines, new fuel pump, new voltage rectifier, and all new wiring. the only thing in the ignition system that hasnt been replaced are the coils, the powerpack, and the stator i believe.<br />ANY advice would be appreciated
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: 1978 55hp evinrude

Was a new water pump installed? Sounds like it overheated and began to lock up. Check the compression...
 

aejeffor

Cadet
Joined
Apr 14, 2004
Messages
13
Re: 1978 55hp evinrude

how do i check the compression? i am fairly mechanically inclined, but i have never ventured that far into the project. no the original water pump is still in the motor.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: 1978 55hp evinrude

Buy a screw-in type compression gauge at almost any auto parts store. It will explain how to use it and will have 2 adapters for different size plug holes. Just remove the spark plugs, ground the leads and screw the tester in the spark plug hole and crank it over several times. Write down the readings and compare them for each cylinder. A remote start switch will come in handy, also. Unless you have someone that can turn the motor over for you at the key switch if it's a remote start motor.<br /><br />Don't run it again until you replace the water pump!!
 

aejeffor

Cadet
Joined
Apr 14, 2004
Messages
13
Re: 1978 55hp evinrude

when i do crank it, water comes out of the little hole in the back where its supposed to. doesnt that mean the water pump is working correctly?<br /><br />what about a faulty thermostat or other temperature sensing device? could this be the culprit?
 

casey7743

Recruit
Joined
Jun 6, 2004
Messages
4
Re: 1978 55hp evinrude

MINE IS DOING IT TOO!! I gotta tell you, I have been having the same issues that you are. I have replaced some things, but not as many as you have. haven't rebuilt the carbs yet, as I am not as mechanically inclined as most GM certified or Ford certified techs. (lil joke...I'm in car sales) anyhow, i have been told that if water is flowing through "the little hole in the back" then the pump is fine. have you heard differently yet?
 

aejeffor

Cadet
Joined
Apr 14, 2004
Messages
13
Re: 1978 55hp evinrude

i havent heard from anyone. yet. keep me updated if you can figure it out
 
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