1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

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mjw210

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Well I'm new here so for starters hello! :D I've got a 1980 Evinrude 35hp remote style motor. I recorded a video earlier today and did a compression test a little bit ago. It's not good... Top cylinder was like 75psi and the bottom was about 60psi. I have a SELOC manual so, I'm looking into fixing it myself but, I have a feeling it's more than just a headgasket. I went to school for auto service but, this would be my first boat motor. The spark plugs looked wet and fouled. I was on the lake today and I went through a weedy patch not knowing it before I was in it. My hummingbird said I was going 17mph and it dropped to 13mph so I stopped to clear the possible weeds and there weren't any. So, I tried to start it and it wouldn't start up and I noticed the water wasn't coming out in a steady stream like it normally does. So, I used the trolling motor back to the dock (1.5 hour trip) :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a-tB7c4TD0

Any ideas or advice would be great. I'm tempted to take it into a shop but, I don't feel like waiting a month or two like they usually take. I'm not aware of a good place to get parts for this 32 year old motor.

Thanks again,
Mike
 
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Haffiman

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

With that compression difference, it looks like you are in for a complete rebuild. Parts however are not a problem.
 
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boobie

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Pull the cyl head and check for a blown head gasket and at the same time look at your cyl's.
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

I see iboats has a good selection of parts. What is the better of the two brands? Sierra or Mallory? I'll probably end up fixing this myself. But, with two young kids and working 6 days a week I'll have to work on it after work at 12:30 when everyone's sleeping. I just wish my SELOC manual was a little more specific to my motor. I like to go over what I will be taking apart so I don't have any unknowns or mess something up.
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

My uncle remembered there being a TSB on his 80's 35hp Johnson where the dealer drilled an air hole or something like that. He couldn't tell me much more than that. Is anyone aware of that or point me in the right direction to see if this was already done on the motor?

Thanks,
Mike
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Well the local repair shop said it would be $498 +tax for just the headgasket kit, carb kit, and water pump kit. (parts and labor) The guy didn't know of any TSBs off hand. I could get all the parts to do that and more for $100. I looked up the powerhead gasket kit and it was like $54 and the shop was just going to do a head gasket and one other gasket. They're a really good shop and could start working on it tomorrow but, it's $498 without know if it needs rings and pistons...

Do I need to remove the flywheel to remove the head and check the rings and pistons? Either my book isn't telling me or I'm blind. I'd prefer to at least try fixing it. I have been working almost every sunday since the start of May so, I have the money to pay someone else. But, if I can do it why throw my money away when I can spend it on my wife and kids.
 
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AlTn

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

no need to pull the flywheel to remove the head..try marineengine.com for engine diagrams..you'll need at least the year model and hp....model no. will dial it in specifically
 
jasper60103

jasper60103

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

A head gasket change is simple enough to DIY, but a OMC service manual would be helpful if you're not familiar with this procedure.
FYI. Your video is marked private.
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Thanks for the heads up jasper. First video posted. :D The shop said they could get it in right away and my wife insisted on it so I could get some sleep after work. Between working 2nd shift and having two young kids my sleep is like 4 to 5 hours. So, it's a good thing we've worked a lot of double time sundays this summer since it's going to be on the pricey side. But, it should run like new again when they're done with it. I might get it bad in a day or two so, that will be nice. Plus they're going to look up any TSB's for the motor as well.

Made the video public.
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Does anyone know where I can find the tilt/thrust pin for this motor? When I bought the motor a few years back it had threaded rod where the pin should go. It works good for going forward but, in reverse the motor wants to flip back up. I have looked with no results. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong category or something. I wish I could find a cheap used tilt/trim setup...
 
jasper60103

jasper60103

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

mjw210 said:
Does anyone know where I can find the tilt/thrust pin for this motor? When I bought the motor a few years back it had threaded rod where the pin should go. It works good for going forward but, in reverse the motor wants to flip back up. I have looked with no results. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong category or something. I wish I could find a cheap used tilt/trim setup...
Click to expand...

You can try the salvage yards listed in the Top Secret File...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=438822
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Just got a bad phone call from the boat shop... My #1 cylinder wall is scored. They said it would cost about $1500 to fix it parts/labor. Any ideas on what to do now? I do have access to machinists at my work. Have any of you bored out your motors and put oversized pistons/rings in? I'm surely not going to pay $1500 on a 32 year old motor. But, since it won't be a cheap fix I might as well take my time and try to either bore it out or find another powerhead...
 
jasper60103

jasper60103

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

mjw210 said:
Just got a bad phone call from the boat shop... My #1 cylinder wall is scored. They said it would cost about $1500 to fix it parts/labor. Any ideas on what to do now? I do have access to machinists at my work. Have any of you bored out your motors and put oversized pistons/rings in? I'm surely not going to pay $1500 on a 32 year old motor. But, since it won't be a cheap fix I might as well take my time and try to either bore it out or find another powerhead...
Click to expand...

I never done a rebuild or replaced a power head, but I'm sure others will chime in.
You may want to consider buying another motor, unless you're looking for a project.
An 80's 30-35hp motor goes for around $700-800 in my neck of the woods.
Also, I see lower units on C/L for $200, so you could recoup some of your loss.
edit: Not trying to discourage you, but just something to consider.
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

I did call on a 40hp evinrude 1975 for $650 but, he said it needed coil packs. I just don't want to buy a spare that needs work as well. I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and not go boating for awhile and do the rebuild. This way it would be about $300 in parts or so. I did find a machine shop that would do the boring for $150 per cylinder if my buddies can't do it for some reason. We have mills and cnc's at work that we can use after hours if nothings running on them at the time. But, i'm not sure if you'd even need to go that far. Wouldn't I just need the right size adjustable reamer and those usually have a flexible shaft so you can put it in a drill or drill press. And check with a bore gauge to make sure you have the right sized hole for the new pistons/rings.

Worst case spend $300ish on machining and $300 on parts and do everything else myself and I should have a pretty much a new motor. Hopefully I can save some money and figure out how to bore it out myself.

-Mike
 
jasper60103

jasper60103

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Mike,
look forward to following your progress. Please keep us posted.
Thanks.
 
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mjw210

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Trying to order all the stuff I'll need to do the rebuild and other tune up stuff. I found the water pump kit, carb kit, lower seal kit, thermostat kit, and the powerhead gasket kit for the motor. I can't find any pistons for my motor on the iboat site. I'd prefer to just order everything at once and have everything I need for this project on hand to reduce down time. I was thinking like .020" over for pistons/rings. That way if something like this happens again I have some motor left to do another rebuild hopefully not until my kids can help. They're 3 and almost 2 now. Is Sierra better than Mallory for parts? Or are they pretty much the same for quality? Also is there a modification possilble to add in for like an over temp warning system like on newer motors? Thanks again. Jasper I'm from Mankato so we're not too far away.
 
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Haffiman

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Re: 1980 35hp Evinrude issues...

Be careful as it is a piston pin change between 80 and 81, be sure you get the right one!!
 
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