Bought a used boat - questions about 40HP Evinrude

[sqzdog]

Good evening-

I just purchased a 1982 Sportcraft Fisherman 16' with a 1988 Evinrude 40HP VRO (Model Number E40ELCCS). It has been a saltwater boat and the motor shows it! The engine started right up after two years. Good water flow from the pisser. I haven't had it in the water yet but I am really thinking that 40HP is quite underpowered for this boat which is about 1050 lbs dry. What do you think? The guy I got it from is also throwing in an 88HP Johnson, but I'd have to have that professionally installed.

I started to take the lower unit off to check the water pump and impeller but had trouble accessing the shift linkage disconnect so I put it back together. Here are my issues:

1. When screwing the bolt back in for the little fin that is above the propeller, the bolt snapped off. I am considering drilling two holes through this fin tab and through the lower unit fins to reattach it. I've seen other lower units with those plastic whale fins on them so I know you can drill through the lower unit fins safely. Is this little fin thing necessary? Meaning, should I reattach it?

2. If the engine overheats, is there a buzzer that goes off somewhere? I looked under the console but didn't see anything. I read somewhere that there may be a buzzer built into the OMC shifter box?

3. I drained my lower unit oil and everything looked good. (yes I put new in!)

4. Is there anything else I should consider before dropping this thing in the water for a test run next weekend? I do want to change the two spark plugs.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

[jbuote]

Hey there!! :welcome:

The guru's here will have LOADS of info for you..

Not a pro, but to get started....

1) Yes... It's something you want to have.. It's your trim tab for steering.. Some (if not all) cases, it's also the anode so it'll corrode first instead of your lower unit.. Really want the one center bolt so you can adjust it without drilling new holes...

2) Buzzer could be in dash, but yes.. typically in the remote control itself if the key and choke are in there too..

3) Excellent!!

4) Until you have verified the VRO is working properly, run 50:1 premix in your fuel tank.. (Better safe than sorry.. )

Personally, I'd rather have the 88SPL on it if it's in good shape and the hull is rated for it..
Having as close to the rated HP as you can gets the best results...

The guru's will help a whole lot more (and better) than I can, but hope that helps get you going anyway..

I look forward to seeing how you make out with it!

 

[oldboat1]

What is the Sportcraft hull rated for? Should be a plate on the transom.

 

[sqzdog]

What is the Sportcraft hull rated for? Should be a plate on the transom.

It is rated for 110, so I guess I am good.

 

[sqzdog]

Hey there!! :welcome:

The guru's here will have LOADS of info for you..

Not a pro, but to get started....

1) Yes... It's something you want to have.. It's your trim tab for steering.. Some (if not all) cases, it's also the anode so it'll corrode first instead of your lower unit.. Really want the one center bolt so you can adjust it without drilling new holes...

2) Buzzer could be in dash, but yes.. typically in the remote control itself if the key and choke are in there too..

3) Excellent!!

4) Until you have verified the VRO is working properly, run 50:1 premix in your fuel tank.. (Better safe than sorry.. )

Personally, I'd rather have the 88SPL on it if it's in good shape and the hull is rated for it..
Having as close to the rated HP as you can gets the best results...

The guru's will help a whole lot more (and better) than I can, but hope that helps get you going anyway..

I look forward to seeing how you make out with it!

Thank you! I failed to mention that the VRO was removed by the previous owner and just used a portable tank for pre-mix. I'm fine with leaving it that way.

I really appreciate your feedback!

 

[jbuote]

With the hull rated for 110, then what I'd probably do (as a relative newbie anyway) is to leave the 40 on it for now.

Yes, I too think the 40 is under powered, but it's already on there right?
If it runs and you can get on the water with it, that's a bonus..

Then, while using the boat with the 40hp, you said the 88 was being "Thrown in" to the deal..
Most likely, it's just sitting, so I'd put it on a stand..
Do compression test, spark test etc... and see what shape it's really in..

I'd get the 88 up to snuff (if reasonable to do so), and then have it put on the boat.

Work on the bigger engine while using the smaller..

If however, the 40 isn't running, I'd probably then concentrate on the 88 first and use the 40 as a backup plan until something else can be bought..

Hope that made some sense, but that's my thoughts anyway.. haha!!

I think I'll leave you in the hands of the guru's from here though..

 

[oldboat1]

Check the condition of the transom before repowering. If needed, replacement is a DIY project -- lot's of excellent advice here on the hull repair forum.

 

[sqzdog]

With the hull rated for 110, then what I'd probably do (as a relative newbie anyway) is to leave the 40 on it for now.

Yes, I too think the 40 is under powered, but it's already on there right?
If it runs and you can get on the water with it, that's a bonus..

Then, while using the boat with the 40hp, you said the 88 was being "Thrown in" to the deal..
Most likely, it's just sitting, so I'd put it on a stand..
Do compression test, spark test etc... and see what shape it's really in..

I'd get the 88 up to snuff (if reasonable to do so), and then have it put on the boat.

Work on the bigger engine while using the smaller..

If however, the 40 isn't running, I'd probably then concentrate on the 88 first and use the 40 as a backup plan until something else can be bought..

Hope that made some sense, but that's my thoughts anyway.. haha!!

I think I'll leave you in the hands of the guru's from here though..

Thank you. I am going to try it out next weekend and leave it on if it works ok, and the do what you said - get it checked over and ready. I do need to have the transom inspected.

 

[sqzdog]

I put the boat in the water the other day. The engine ran but just had no power to it. Maybe 10mph. Wasn't running sluggish, just wouldn't go. I wonder if there is something I should be checking that is keeping it from going faster.

Again, this boat weights just over 1,000 lbs. Any idea what I can check to make this thing go?

 

[oldboat1]

Soaked flotation foam/water under the floor?

 

[sqzdog]

Good question. I need to check on that.

 

[IDFISHER]

Verify your throttle linkage is adjusted correctly and fully opening the butterfly valve on your carbs, if they're not you certainly wont be getting full power.

 

[Mkm82]

It sounds as if the 40 has a compression issue. Have yuou checked the compression? If not I would.

 

[sqzdog]

I'll check on those things this weekend and post back the results.