Eska 7.0 horsepower

[itstippy]

I've been given an Eska 7.0 HP motor that looks to be in good shape. It has not been run for 5-10 years. No manual. It's a single cylinder Tecumseh engine mounted on what looks like an Evinrude shaft. No reverse. No tilt-lock. It has a built-in fuel tank (with old gas in it), an external fuel tank (again, old gas), and a pull rope that's frayed as if it's been hard to start. What gas/oil mix should I use? Any tricks to firing up a motor that's sat around this long with old gas in it? Any tricks to replacing the pull rope without having the recoil spring go sproing? This Eska thing will never replace my trusty 1972 Evinrude 4 horse, but I'd like to get it running and trustworthy (7 HP! I could fly!)

 

[JB]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

Howdy, Itstippy.<br /><br />That air cooled Tecumseh power head is based on a chainsaw engine, so use chainsaw oil to mix 16:1.<br /><br />There are manuals that cover the engine. try your library.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[itstippy]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

I got it going. The aged starter rope broke during the process, but I replaced it no problem. It runs quite well in a can of water. Chainsaw engine indeed; sounds like a Gattling gun. And the 16:01 oil mix makes it smoke like one, too. I'm used to my twin cylinder water cooled Evinrude 4HP.<br />I've been reading through the other threads and have decided that this is a great message board. You folks have inspired me to dig out an old outboard that's been hanging at my parent's place for years and see what it is (it's blue and is missing the prop, if that helps identification any). As if I needed another project to eat into my fishing time.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

Hi itstippy: I have a 1974 Sears 7.0hp engine that may be very similar if not identical to yours as Sears sold eska engines under their store brand. I have the original Sears manual with all pertinent info plus exploded diagrams. It has a single cylinder air-cooled Tecumseh powerhead and a water-cooled lower leg which uses a water pump to cool the exhaust gases. This pump is extremely important and the impeller should be replaced before you take this engine out and try to use it or you will fry the engine just as surely as if it were totally water cooled. On mine, there is a pair of holes in the back of the lower leg which spray water when the pump is working properly. The pump only works when the engine is in gear. Clutch mechanism is located just below the powerhead, not in the lower unit. Prop is a 3 blade aluminum with a shear pin. You can find parts on the Eska website. I got mine running and it pushes my 12ft pram at a solid 15mph. Neat old motor and very light weight. Mine uses 32:1 fuel mix and doesn't smoke at all. If you could post a picture of your engine I could tell you if it's the same as mine. If you are succesful in getting yours up and running it will outperform your 4hp 'rude. Good luck!

 

[itstippy]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

Thanks for the info. I haven't had a chance to take it out yet. Some idiot hit & run my truck Friday night and I'm dealing with the insurance aftermath. What's the Eska site's address? I did a Google but didn't find a specific Eska site. Glad I found this one, though.

 

[Chiefs50]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

I have an old Sears 7HP Aircooled outboard and would like to get it going. The model number is 21758531. I don't however have an owners manual and the Sears site doesn't have one either. Do you know where i might purchase a copy? <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mike in Wisconsin

 

[steelespike]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

My manual list "outboard oil" for both Clinton and Tecumseh air cooled power heads.<br /> I have 2 after market manuals that cover many makes.One for under 30hp. and one for over 30hp.<br /> Bought them on ebay about $15 each.<br /> repairmanuals.com may have some.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

Itstippy: Sorry to hear about your mishap. Hope all works out OK. For Eska parts, go to Google, type in Eska Outboard Parts; you will see a site for Brix Enterprises - they have a section for Eska parts. Try this and good luck!

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

Chiefs50: My Sears/Eska number is 217-5883-0, so we probably have the same motor. I have the original owner's manual although it is chewed up in places, but it has exploded diagrams and parts numbers and other info that is very useful. I don't have the ability to copy and send it to you as I have a WEB TV unit which is pretty primitive, but if you don't have any luck in scrounging one up, I am willing to copy it and send it to you in the mail if you pay the postage and the cost of copying. I LOVE THIS OLD MOTOR!! Eska motors are looked down upon by collectors as throwaways, but I wish someone else would build the modern equivalent of a motor that weighs 40lbs with a full built-in gas tank and puts out 7hp, gets GRREAT gas economy and zings my little 12ft aluminum pram all over the lake! I paid 65bux for mine, stripped all the plastic off it and basically have a lawnmower engine with a propeller, but aside from being noisy (my wife wears earplugs) is the most efficient and inexpensive unit for power-to-weight I have seen. I wish I had 2 or 3 of these "throwaways". If you can't find a manual anywhere else, post on this thread and I will work out something with you. Good luck!

 

[Chiefs50]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

Squeakit;<br /><br />Thank you for the quick reply. I don't know much about this motor - I was looking for an inexpensive 3-5 hp outboard for my 17' Coleman Scanoe. Don't know if you are familiar with this craft or not but is is a square sterned, wide body type canoe. I'm hoping it is not too big a motor for the scanoe. A friend located this motor for me and I only had to pay $40 for it (came with the external tank too). I haven't tried to start it yet but it does have great compression and good spark. Only thing i noticed is that there is a little light rust in the built in tank. I think i would like to take you up on your kind offer to copy your owners manual. I'd be very greatful for this assistance. Just let me know what the charges are. My e-mail is msalfai1@new.rr.com . Oh, just curious - why did you strip the plastic off and are you just talking about the cover?<br /><br />mike

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Eska 7.0 horsepower

Mike: I'll go down to Office Depot and copy the manual I have and send you an email when this is done and cost, and then you can send me your mail address. Wish I had a way to send it electronically but I don't. You'll hear from me in next couple of days. I took the plastic off my engine because it was cracked and broken and a real mess. I then sawed the bracket that surrounds the lower part of the engine off and bolted another tiller handle to the crankcase using the old bolt holes from the lower bracket. Now I have a very simple exposed engine that I can get to everything if I have to without having to dismantle a bunch of stuff. Looks like a lawnmower engine with a lower leg and a prop. I don't care about the looks; it runs great. I'm not familiar with your canoe, but it is a fine lightweight engine for a small boat. I'll be in touch.