1981/83? Evinrude 115 Spark Plug Wires

[2shallow2sail]

Hi all- new here. I have a 1981 or 83 (not sure) Evinrude 115 V4, bought rebuilt this year. Recently, the motor does not like to run with the cowling on. I removed the pouch holding the ripcord and it ran fine. Had to remove the cowling the other day and when i replaced it i am getting shocked when i try to clamp the rear latches, and i lose cyliders at all RPM's with the cowling on, runs perfect with it off. I assume that the latches are shorting the spark plug wires. Is there a cretain wire configuration to avoid this? I tried to tape up the boots real good and it didnt help. Will new wires help? If so, does anyone know the spark plug wire lengths (4 inches, 6 inches?) for this motor? I won't see the boat for 2 weeks and would like to order them now.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1981/83? Evinrude 115 Spark Plug Wires

well if you order 6" and they are 4" they will work, if you order 4" and they are 6" they won't work. if you can't measure, i would order 6".

 

[2shallow2sail]

Re: 1981/83? Evinrude 115 Spark Plug Wires

Agreed, however not sure if 6 in is long enough, and also if the extra length would just add to the problem as there is more to get caught on the cowling.
Has anyone successfully remedied this problem with the cowling shorting the plugs out? thanks again