1984 Evinrude 35hp

[EZSteury]

I finally got some time to work on the new to Me evinrude I had to rebuild shortly after I purchased it, today I pumped some fuel in it and after some cranking I got it to fire up. I checked the spark prior to this and seemed weak to Me, then I tried to time it in case I moved something during disassembly (first time for Me) and the gun would only flash at the last turn of the flywheel but not while it was turning , I made sure the plug wires where grounded and the spark plugs out, it was difficult to figure where I should aim the gun at while cranking the engine, I know the starter has the stud for the timing mark but I couldn't figure which side of it was I supposed to use.
The engine runs fine, throttle is very sensitive, I rev it up and down for a few minutes while in a tank of water and sounds like it cuts off for a short millisecond every few seconds but without rhythm.

What do You all think I should do next?


Thanks.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

Shouldn't you have the plugs in and wires connected? There is no spark voltage to trigger the light, if they are grounded. My advice is leave the timing alone unless you have good reason to suspect somebody has messed with it.

 

[EZSteury]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

Oh also, the engine smokes quite a lot of white smoke, I figured it was cold and first time running with a double doze of 2 stroke oil but I wonder if this should be expected or is a symptom of something else.

Thanks.

 

[EZSteury]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

Shouldn't you have the plugs in and wires connected? There is no spark voltage to trigger the light, if they are grounded. My advice is leave the timing alone unless you have good reason to suspect somebody has messed with it.

I watched some youtube videos of timing plus what I read on the manual and thought it said to pull the plugs to let the engine rev easier and ground them to set timing. I will try with the plugs IN this time just to make sure it is where it should be.

Thanks.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

White smoke that doesn't linger like oil smoke isn't good. Could be a leaky head gasket.Did you have the head off and did you do a new gasket and torque it as specified?Oil smoke is bluish and really lingers.

 

[EZSteury]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

I did pull the head for the rebuild and installed all new gaskets and bolts then torqued to proper torque, I really hope that isn't the problem. The smoke does linger like un-burned fuel or maybe too much oil I suppose I will know for sure when it warms up in the water.

Thanks.

 

[Schranz]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

Not sure why double dose of oil...should have 50:1 ratio. I haven't had my motor going for 8 yrs and just got it going. All that you have described about the smoke seems normal. I have a 35 hp 1983 evinrude with a few issues of my own and just got it running fine. Go to boat ramp and leave it on trailer and test it. The tank trick didn't seem to work for me. But if there was a problem I wasn't way out in the lake stranded. Great trick handed down to me from a great mechanic.
They smoke a lot. Especially if you double dosed it. Also, go to o Reilly auto and pay $4 to get a spark tester. It worked great for my testing. Plus, you can test it in evening light to see if it is bright as the other coil. This motor seems to make hiccups all the time. It's a 2 cycle which seems to run rough compared to the 3,4,or 6 cylinder motors.

 

[Schranz]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

Are you sure that the white smoke you are seeing isn't the outside cold air and it running combo....making it seem as smoke. Just asking

 

[EZSteury]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 35hp

Are you sure that the white smoke you are seeing isn't the outside cold air and it running combo....making it seem as smoke. Just asking

It was [provably 40f when I started it, it could be the outside temps.

I will try it with the boat still on the trailer, makes it easier than dropping it just to pull it back up. I do carry a smaller 7.5hp sea king next to it just in case something ever happens.

Thanks.