'58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

[WindyWillowSong]

Hello.<br />I have an 1958 35hp Evinrude Lark. The last month has been hell, I need to get on the lake and stay there. I have not had a ton of problems, but something new just popped up.<br /><br />When we get on the lake, we will go out in full throttle, and after maybe a few seconds it sounds as though the prop is slipping, it will be going good and all of a sudden the pitch get higher as though its wineing out, I pull back on the throttle, and go again, and same thing.<br />So... I was told it was the prop.(Or cavitation, of which is not possible, it never did this before). Got my prop rehubbed, but still did the same thing. Bought a NEW Michigan prop, still did the same thing. Had the old prop rehubbed again, because it looked like the hub went to one side. Got the re-rehubbed back, same thing. So I took out the Clutch Dog and Cradle as well as the forward gear. I brought these to a local Marine repair place, they said "They look fine", and stated it could be the prop, "sounds like your burning out the hub on the prop" They tell me rehubbing is not the best idea, they don't take and the Michigan Props are not the best and to go with a OMC. So I buy the OMC, take it out to the lake.. still same thing occuring.. Now I am thinking about the Clutch Dog Cradle and Forward Gear. Is there any possiblity that "looking" at isn't the best thing? And if I replace all those items and it still does it, what else could it possibly be!? Has anyone have any ideas????<br />Any help appreciated!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

If you've had three props on there and the same thing happens with all three...I'd say it's not the prop hub.<br /><br />It's not the lower unit clutch dogs, either. That doesn't happen smoothly, but with a big jerk like you hit something.<br /><br />So, what's left. Sounds to me like the prop's ventilating or cavitating on you.<br /><br />So, what's the transom height on your boat, and where does the AV plate (just above your prop) sit in relationship to the bottom of the hull?<br /><br />Also, which level is the tilt pin set at?<br /><br />Tell us about your boat and how the motor is mounted on it, and I'll bet we can solve your problem for you.

 

[WindyWillowSong]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

Thanks for that info, however another question then. Why does it slip from a dead stop when you try to accelerate even at low speeds, note again, this has never been an issue before I have never had a cavitaion issue before, why would this just start?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

Good question. Is the drive pin in place? Which prop are you using now? The last one you mentioned? Was it a brand new OMC prop when you got it?<br /><br />Again, please give some answers regarding the boat and position of the AV plate in relation to the bottom of the hull.<br /><br />Also, have you had the lower end off recently? How did the splines on the top of the driveshaft look?<br /><br />We can help, but you've got to answer our questions, too.

 

[WindyWillowSong]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

Ok, I finally have an answer for ya.<br />Went home measured transom. 16 1/2 inches. My husband is pretty sure the cavitation plate is sitting right at the bottom of the transom (so 16 1/2). The tilt pin is on the 3 position going out from the transom (there is a possible 4 positions). My husband states that the splines looked fine. Also, The motor is apart now, so I could not measure it, but I am almost positive that it is a short shaft, according to some manual we read a while back.<br /><br />Here is a little more info too. We have just recently replaced the power head on this motor. Could that possibly why, (if it is ventalation), that we did not experience it before? <br />Thanks!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

I'm not sure. Try moving the tilt pin in one position and see if that has any effect. Sounds like the plate is in the right position, so trimming in might help.<br /><br />The only real way a powerhead change could cause this is if the female splines in the new crankshaft are hosed. That could cause what you're experiencing, but you'd hear some noise, for sure...probably a grinding sound near the top of the engine.<br /><br />So, let's review here: Three different props, and you're experiencing a revving condition under heavy acceleration and at high speed.<br /><br />If the OMC prop you got is brand new, that eliminates the hub problem, pretty much. You could still mark the hub and outer prop and see if your marks move after this occurs.<br /><br />Splines on the shaft are OK, and most likely they're OK on the crankshaft, too. It would be really unusual for those to be stripped out.<br /><br />That leaves cavitation or ventilation as the probable culprit. Try tilting the motor in one notch.

 

[WindyWillowSong]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

Well, You were right on the money! We moved the pin in one position and did not have a problem for the hour we cruised the lake. The only time it sort of over whined was when I took a very very sharp turn on turbulent wave going probably a little too fast.<br />By moving the tilt pin in one position it also helped the boat plane much much sooner. Thank you so much for your help, I wish I had come to this forum sooner. (A sideline note: We purchased a new powerhead because my husband noticed the slipping about a month ago and had thought it was the prop, in the meantime the marine repair place loaned him a prop for a 40 hp, and he pushed the motor too much and he spun a bearing in the head. If I had just come here first we would not be out so much money, but on the good side, this motor runs much nicer has new points etc..)<br />Now my question is what would happen if we were to put this pin in one more notch, the only position left?<br />Thanks Again!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

You could try it and see what happens. It will probably make the boat plane even sooner, but might cause some porpoising at high speed.<br /><br />Your prop was ventilating at the tilt setting you were at. You're still seeing it on sharp turns, as you described. <br /><br />That's why the tilt settings are there. For your boat, there's one that will be ideal. On mine, I have it on the setting that is the furthest in, and that works best for me.<br /><br />Try the closer position and see how it works. It will most probably get rid of all the ventilation problems, but...if your boat wants to ride too much nose down and porpoises, go back out one notch and slow down a little on those sharp turns.<br /><br />I'm so glad my suggestion helped.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

Take good care of your '58 Lark. They're wonderful old outboards. I love my '58 Johnson, and it never fails to get lots of nice comments at the lake.<br /><br />There's something really nice about using an old outboard that performs well. <br /><br />Best of luck!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

Hey, I missed that you're in Minnesota, too. If you ever go to Bald Eagle Lake, up on 61, you might see me in my old green boat with the '58 Johnson on it. We can have a race or something!

 

[WindyWillowSong]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

That would be a fun time! With both our fat asses in the boat it goes about 25 mph, however sometimes it seems faster than that. Never been to Bald Eagle Lake, we have only been on Eagle Lake in Maple Grove and on Medicine Lake. I agree with ya, we get tons of compliments on our boat as well as motor. We have a 1966 Shell Lake Runabout and it is in pristine condition. It was re painted however to a beautiful deep cherry red. We also had to pull out the wood seat that it had, and in its place we put in two gray plasic swivel seats. My husband and I are pretty big, so that helped us with space issues. I absolutly love this boat and motor, and we keep talking that we would love to get an open bow... but I don't want to get rid of this one, its just too fun. <br />Thanks again, now I can go fishing and my husband can whine about wanting to cruise! fun times!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark-Wines Out in Full Throttle-HELP!

Enjoy!