'78 Evinrude 70 - First run - Please help - has no power when in gear - video added

[WA-Newb]

I couldn't pass this boat combo up so now I own my second non running boat...first one was purchased just around a month or so ago but will be selling it (hopefully).
This one was well maintained by an older gentleman (in his 80's now) and was originally bought new by his family member so I had a good feeling about it and thought it would fire right up and take me to the moon...or at least to the deep end of the pool..lol

I heard it run and shift before buying it...I again started it before launching for the first time today...started up and idles fine. I can give it throttle using the warm-up lever on the shift / throttle control box and it seems to rev up o.k. but as soon as I put it into gear I cannot get it to go vrooom (it maybe goes 5 miles an hour). When pushing the throttle lever down / forward it doesn't seem like it changes that much but the linkage appears to be working as far as I can tell. The carb things (plates inside - maybe butterflies?) open up when in full throttle but it never sounds like high RPMs are achieved and the boat will just not go.

The PO's son (who made the deal with me) said the 130 written by each plug was the compression which was taken when the carbs were rebuilt by a marine tech center around a year ago and the boat has only been used once or twice since the work was done.

It is a 1978 70 HP - Firepower
- I haven't done a compression check yet to confirm the 130 on all three cylinders.
- There's no signs of any bad wires like my other motor had
- Even the insulation in the engine cover is fully intact and this one is very clean.
- I took the carb cover off for inspection (although I don;t know what to inspect..lol)
- Gas is fresh (out of my boat) but was first started when I got there by PO's son with unknown gas..he already did it

That's about all I know.
Can I get some advice / suggestions on this one please.

And keep in mind I now have about $24 to my name until I sell the other boat and motors I have gotten lately...lol
Thank you.

 

[kryan2]

Re: '78 Evinrude 70 - First run - Please help - has no power when in gear - video add

Way to long to type.....if you call me when your next to the boat, on the water or off, I can walk you through a few steps to check.

kevin
469-952-7772

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: '78 Evinrude 70 - First run - Please help - has no power when in gear - video add

Kevin just walked me through a step and it appears the throttle advance / timing arm is not moving when I give it throttle.
It sits in the 11 o'clock position while the throttle linkage to the carbs move.

I cannot see anything that would be disconnected....and all I see that could be possible is a spring that hooks the timing arm to the carb arm....could that be it?

The motor wasn't running when I moved this either...in case that matters.

Thanks Kevin...at least I have a start I think.

 

[pegs11]

Re: '78 Evinrude 70 - First run - Please help - has no power when in gear - video add

I'm having some of the same problems.

Here are some thoughts. Take the throttle linkage off the throttle arm on the motor. Manually move the all the way to the full throttle position.

now push the throttle handle full forward. If the bolt on the arm and the hole in connector are not close then you should look at adjusting the cable or checking the inside of the remote control.

Double check all of your connections/wires going to the coils and from the coils to the spark plugs. If this motor is new to you don't assume anything you see that looks ok is ok. There are lots of ways for things to be screwed up that you can't see. That's probably why you got a good deal to begin with.


This is what I've found so far on mine. Retaining screw on the throttle/shift lever broken off. It finally fell apart.

Plugs with pins turned just a hair off center and pushed together anyway. I could see the impressions in the female connector.

Fuel lines that are leaking, and won't maintain pressure/flow to the carbs under load.

The motor I'm working on now had 3 different kinds of spark plugs in it. 2 were different manufacturers.

The plug wire on one cylinder had been pulled out of the PRONG than holds the wire in place and helps connect the wire to the internal spring was disconnected. It appeared to be hooked up but really wasn't.

 

[Koldfusion]

Re: '78 Evinrude 70 - First run - Please help - has no power when in gear - video add

I wish you luck. I have read about a few things to check looking in to my own 1977 70hp Evinrude Model 70773S. Spark advance. You might want to look in to a link and sync.

I recently bought an old boat as well. Does your's look the same as mine?

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: '78 Evinrude 70 - First run - Please help - has no power when in gear - video add

After kevin told me what to look for I found out the spark advance arm was stuck from the timer base having buildup / corrosion / sitting for a couple of years. I sprayed a bit of oil on the base and starting moving it back and forth with my hand while blowing it out with air.
Finally it free'd up and sprung back on its own (it's spring loaded). Once that moved free I took her out and she ran like a charm.

But then...wow.
I started two other threads on this but what happened was I got it home after a few hours on the water...we stopped and started it many times while out there...always started with just a tiny turn of the key...no issues whatsoever and we were very happy.
Got it home and wanted to flush it out so hooked it all up...turned the key and it just spun...no trying to start nothing....I about freaked...lol
Just now got it running by changing plugs..draining float bowls and trying different gas.
Now I just need some time to take it out again and see if the problem repeats itself.

Koldfusion...I don't think I could tell which motor was mine if it was sitting next to yours...lol


Here is my new (38 year old) boat....wife named it Kermit.
And the compass is only ghetto clamped because it's a piece of junk and wasn't worthy of causing holes in the dash...getting new one but it was foggy when we took it out.

 

[kryan2]

Re: '78 Evinrude 70 - First run - Please help - has no power when in gear - video add

Glad you got it running! It will be something here and something there till you decide to get rid of it! That will be a glorious day as well. LOL. Enjoy your time on water and keep my number on hand