'68 85hp worth fixing?

[stevejeri]

I just bought a boat that has an Evinrude 1968 85 hp on it. I was just wanting the boat because I have a '73 Merc 115 that I have been using and works fine. I put a battery on the Evinrude yesterday just to see what would happen, it had been sitting for 10 years or so. It turned over but wasn't firing, but would fire once when key was let off. Is it worth trying to fix since it is so old?
Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

Someone else can chime in better than I but I THINK this is an electric shift model. If the electric shift solenoids in the lower unit are working it could be a great motor. If they are not, I believe they are very expensive to replace and hard to locate the parts so it may not be worth it. However, I have no idea if it's possible to test these without the motor running.

 

[wavrider]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

DO a compression check to see how the cylinders are, this will determine if there if there is a compression problem and help you decide if you want to continue repairs.

go to the faq section and read the sticky's on checking an engine and also on awakening a sleeping engine.

If firing when key is let off maybe be bad or dirty ignition switch, try cleaning and dressing the points if tyour engine has them, not familier with your engine but the year of manufacture it is probaly points.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=188767
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

above links are good info and should get you startd in right direction

 

[stevejeri]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

Someone else can chime in better than I but I THINK this is an electric shift model. If the electric shift solenoids in the lower unit are working it could be a great motor. If they are not, I believe they are very expensive to replace and hard to locate the parts so it may not be worth it. However, I have no idea if it's possible to test these without the motor running.

Thanks ezmobee! I just went out and checked it and it isn't electric shift.

 

[F_R]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

That motor has the old amplifier CD ignition system with breaker points and a distributor under the flywheel. Firing once when you turn it off seems to indicate a fault in the breaker points.

 

[stevejeri]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

That motor has the old amplifier CD ignition system with breaker points and a distributor under the flywheel. Firing once when you turn it off seems to indicate a fault in the breaker points.

So I need to take the flywheel off and check the points?

Also, there is a wire coming out of a round somethingorother on the lower right hand cylinder that isn't connected to anything. I assume it is supposed to be hooked to something, but I don't know what. Any ideas?

 

[wavrider]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

Picture is worth a thousand words, can you post a pic?

 

[F_R]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

A tan wire coming from the cylinder head? That would be the sender for the "hot" light on the instrument panel.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

Are you SURE it isn't electric shift? I really thought those years were. I did an eBay search and found this item from a '68 100HP Johnson. Electric shift. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968...ZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

 

[samo_ott]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

In 1968 the Starflite 85 was electric shift and the Speedifour 85 was manual shift. They had both models.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

Excellent. Dodged a bullet there! Well then your '68 is as worth fixing as my '73 was. Good luck.

 

[stevejeri]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

That motor has the old amplifier CD ignition system with breaker points and a distributor under the flywheel. Firing once when you turn it off seems to indicate a fault in the breaker points.

I finally found time to mess with this motor, and it doesn't fire when key turned to start and turns over, does fire when key let off back to run position, and then fires again when key turned to off position. I am going to go pull the flywheel off now, and check the points. I don't see anyway to clean the ignition switch, so I may just have to get another one. What exactly do I need to look at on the points? Anyone know what the gap is supposed to be on them?

 

[stevejeri]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

Checked ignition switch with test light, and checked out ok. Checked compression and was 90 (or so) on all four cylinders. I guess points are next if I can get flywheel off. I noticed when i was checking the fuse on the hot wire going to the ignition switch that when I would take the fuse out, there was a click under the flywheel, not very loud maybe like a spark arcing or contact opening or closing? Is that normal?

 

[coyedsel]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

My 'Seloc' Manual gives points seting as .010 --- It gave .020 for years before 68.

 

[stevejeri]

Re: '68 85hp worth fixing?

My 'Seloc' Manual gives points seting as .010 --- It gave .020 for years before 68.

Ok thanks alot for the info!!