Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

[mattairconman9]

Just this past weekend I finally finished my own powerhead rebuild on an 88SPL. A few things I learned would be helpful to anyone trying this themselves. Some can save you money and sleep.<br />Before you order pistons get the block bored out, so you order the proper pistons once. Replace everything in question. Use model and serial numbers when ordering parts. Read the manual throughly before starting, and every forum posted about your engine. Get all the proper and recommended tools. Work in a nice spacious and clean area. I read a post where someone was gonna try this with the boat in the water, it would be impossible. Rebuild everything inclubing the carbs. Don't be afraid to consult anyone and take your time. Figure out why it failed to begin with. The people at powerheadexchange.com (Steve) were very helpful and patient. I had to send and exchange parts twice without a single complaint, they answered all questions, reasonably priced and there kits contained everything I needed. Good luck!!

 

[Walker]

Re: Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

Before you order pistons get the block bored out, so you order the proper pistons once.

I prefer to have the machine shop tell me how much they have to bore to clean up the cylinders and then order pistons before they bore. OMC and Wiseco pistons call for different tolerances.

 

[mattairconman9]

Re: Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

Well put Walker, I couldn't fixure out the proper terminalogy.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

The new Wiseco 31 series pistons do not call for different tolerences than the E/J pistons. Neither do the Vertex pistons.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

I rebuilt a '57 35hp Johnson some 40 years ago. It had seized due to water pump failure. Here are a few "don't's" that I learned. I rebuilt this without a torque wrench (don't do this). I did it without a manual (don't do this). I rebuilt it in a dark, dingy basement (don't do this). I tried it without torque specs (don't do this). I was used to working on cast iron engines where you could pull on a wrench 'til your bells rung. Aluminum, I found out, is quite different<br /><br />I'll say that even though it was full of heli-coils, it ran until I bought a new motor some 12 years later. This motor was very forgiving of a know-it-all such as me.

 

[mattairconman9]

Re: Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

Well I had it out for the first time today 07/31/04. I put in 8 gallons and traveled 20 miles and it ran great "TILL" I ran out of gas going back to the dock. I had a friend follow me all day and he got me some fresh gas. It primed and fired immediately. However it kept loosing power so I limped it back 1/2 mile very slowly.<br />I pulled the plugs and they were wet with some signs of carbon (black dust) on them but still wet. I was told to run it 25:1 for the first few hours. I figured I'd consult you guys before I went anyfurther. Is this normal with that much oil. I reran a comp. test an all was the same as before 115 too 109. Please help. Could it be the plugs?

 

[Walker]

Re: Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

A common problem with running out of gas is crud and crap and water in the bottom of the gas tank gets sucked up into the fuel system. This is where good quality fuel filters pay for thereselves. If you have an inline fuel filter, change it,. If you don't have one your fuel pump probably needs cleaning and hopefully it caught all the crud. Probably be a good idea to pull the drain plugs from the carbs in case water is the problem.

 

[mattairconman9]

Re: Evinrude Rebuild...What I Learned

Will do this morning. I'm also gonna clean those plugs. I'll keep you informed. Thanks.