frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

[rernst]

Picked this up cheap. I'm pretty sure it's the powerhead. I really don't want to invest in a complete rebuild of this, so have a couple of questions.

Can I take the lower unit off/out and not rebuild it to ensure it is the power head that's locked up, or should I remove the powerhead from the top?

If I pulled the lower unit, I always see you're supposed to replace the O ring at the top of the driveshaft, is that really necessary, and what does that O ring really do?

Assuming it's the powerhead that's frozen, I've ensured no fuel or water is in the whole unit, pulled the plugs (looked great), and put about a tablespoon of solvent type oil in, and left it with pistons up (put plugs in to keep from evaporating, as well as crud out of cylinders).

I'd like to get some oil in the crankcase/crankshaft area as well. Removing the carb isn't a problem, but how hard is it to remove and then replace the reed valve? I'm just thinking of pulling the reed valve and putting oil, or oil and gas mixture, or that solvent oil I have, inside before trying to make it move by some sort of force.

Next, after getting things soaked well for several days, my plan was to use a dowel through the spark plug holes and give it a few whacks with a lightweight hammer to see if the pistons will at least move. This is on the theory that the most likely place to have frozen (since there's no obvious salt or water corrosion anywhere else), would be the rings to the cylinder walls.

If no movement, I'll pull the head and get a better view of the cylinders to see if salvageable at all. If some movement, lots more solvent/oil and light taps more, as well as trying the flywheel to turn.

More questions, or answers, or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Rich

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Hi Rich,
DO NOT force that motor loose by banging on the pistons! Your motor has aluminum rods that can either bend or break with any sort of brute force, whether it be hammering on the pistons or twisting on the crankshaft. Also, the bronze bearings on the ends of the rods can become dimpled, ruining the rods. Take it apart if you want to salvage it. Those 3s are about as simple as they get. No needle bearings to lose, etc. Might find you can press the pistons out once the powerhead is apart. Clean up the crank journals with emory cloth, free up the rings, clean up the bores and put it back together - might be all it needs!
Four bolts will drop the lower unit. If that frees things up you're ahead of the curve, as the units are even easier to deal with than the powerheads.

- Scott

 

[F_R]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

That's good advice. If there is any rust in the rods/crank and you rotate it, goodby connecting rods. Concerning the o-ring, there is no reason NOT to replace it--it's just a cheap standard o-ring. Leaving it out will cost $hundreds when the splines rust out.

 

[dukboat]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Good advice from chinewalker & FR. The easyiest thing to do is pull the lower unit off, 4 bolts and no shift rod to mess with. If you get the LU off and it still doesn't turn lay the motor down and fill the cylinders with a good penetrating oil and forget about it for a few days. Then try and turn it, don't force it, if it still won't turn put some more penetrating oil in and let it sit. Keep trying this it may take some time but it should come free. Very easy motor to work on and parts are easy to get. Good Luck!

 

[rernst]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

That's good advice. If there is any rust in the rods/crank and you rotate it, goodby connecting rods. Concerning the o-ring, there is no reason NOT to replace it--it's just a cheap standard o-ring. Leaving it out will cost $hundreds when the splines rust out.

Ok, standard O ring, I thought it was something special. What is it sealing off, however, or doesn't the drive shaft just spline into the crankshaft, so what would it need sealing against?

And I'll put a bunch more penetrant/oil in the cylinders and not force it to turn.

Thanks,

Rich

 

[HighTrim]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

It is keeping water out from rusting the splines.

You should also use marine grease on the splines before re installation.

 

[F_R]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

It is a nasty environment in there with hot water and exhaust with all the byproducts of combustion. The drive shaft is stainless steel, but the crankshaft is carbon steel. Water and crap gets up into the splines and rusts them out of the crankshaft. A bit of good grease and the o-ring keeps it out.

 

[GlasV162]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Hi Rich,
I have the exact same motor as you. My Dad bought it for $100.00 back in 1980. At the start of the 1982 season here in Maine, the motor was frozen just like yours is. We took it to a local retired guy who could fix just about anything. Back in the 50's and 60's I think he sold / serviced outboards. Without saying a word, he removed the plugs, put a dowel into each hole and gave it a whack w/ a hammer. He put a little oil in each cylinder and replaced the plugs. Then he put it in a barrel and started it up. He handed the motor back to my Dad and said, "Next time, put a little oil in the cylinders before laying it up for the winter." I haven't run it since 1997, when I replaced it with a 9.9 Evinrude, but it ran like a champ for all those years. Every so often I give the cord a pull to keep her moving. The hammer-dowel method sure is drastic and probably a gamble, but in my case it worked. I admit I wouldn't have the courage to do such a thing to an outboard myself, but in this case it worked. Good luck!!

 

[wbeaton]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Water and crap gets up into the splines and rusts them out of the crankshaft.

That means new crankshaft and an engine rebuild. Certainly worth a buck or two for an o-ring.

 

[rernst]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

I'd like to get some oil in the crankcase/crankshaft area as well. Removing the carb isn't a problem, but how hard is it to remove and then replace the reed valve? I'm just thinking of pulling the reed valve and putting oil, or oil and gas mixture, or that solvent oil I have, inside before trying to make it move by some sort of force.

Any comments on this idea? Is the reed valve on this easy to pull and replace, and if pulled, can I squirt some oil in there?

Rich

 

[samo_ott]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

The reeds come off easily... But usually you need a new gasket to put em back on. But you cant get the oil exactly where you want it even when the reeds are removed the way the chambers work. This method is rarely used as far as I know.

 

[wavrider]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Drop lower unit.

Remove pull start assy and inspect it to make sure that the pull start is not the problem.

try the penetrating oil, pb blaster, etc to free up the rings.

Be patient may take a few days but eventually should free up.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Banging on the pistons IS NOT a good idea. Pull the lower unit, as said, and make sure the powerhead not the LU is stuck. Then put penetrating oil the cylinders and let it sit, every week or so put a strap wrench on the flywheel or wrench on the flywheel nut and see it will budge ever so slightly in either direction...if it does work it back and forth gently and keep the penetrating oil in there doing its job. If you're in a hurry, keep your eyes peeled for another powerhead...see that model a lot on the auction site. Nice motor.

 

[rernst]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Banging on the pistons IS NOT a good idea. Pull the lower unit, as said, and make sure the powerhead not the LU is stuck. Then put penetrating oil the cylinders and let it sit, every week or so put a strap wrench on the flywheel or wrench on the flywheel nut and see it will budge ever so slightly in either direction...if it does work it back and forth gently and keep the penetrating oil in there doing its job. If you're in a hurry ...

I've got the recoil starter off already, so know it's not that. I haven't removed the lower unit yet.

I rotated the prop and it seems to move enough and make ever so slight noise that I think it's free, but I'll probably take it off at some point to check out water pump, etc.

I'll hold off on dowel banging for a while yet at least. Hmmm, I suppose I could hook my air compressor/leak down tester to one plug hole and just leave it attaches while the penetrating oil does it's job. It'll both push the oil down around things, as well as provide pressure to move the piston itself. I may just try that.

 

[wavrider]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Good idea on the leak down tester forcing the oil around the rings.

My son recently brought back to life an old jw-10
when you get it going man they run good and starts alot beter than some of the other engines i have

when you pull the lower unit be careful not to try to pick it up by the drive shaft, when i tried mine it just came out of the lu, I had to take the gear housing apart and re assemble. it is easy though this engines are a breeze to work on and parts are available
laings outboard is the site i use and they have most of the parts needed.

 

[jameskb2]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Good idea on the leak down tester forcing the oil around the rings.

My son recently brought back to life an old jw-10
when you get it going man they run good and starts alot beter than some of the other engines i have

when you pull the lower unit be careful not to try to pick it up by the drive shaft, when i tried mine it just came out of the lu, I had to take the gear housing apart and re assemble. it is easy though this engines are a breeze to work on and parts are available
laings outboard is the site i use and they have most of the parts needed.

Heh heh...

I did the exact same thing last year, when I repaired my '62 3 horse. Mind you, this is my first outboard engine.

I had read this fine forum and searched and read threads, tuned the top end, new coils, points and condensers. Rebuild the carb, it had the original cork float in it.

So, I see that water pump impellers are a main failure point. I bought this engine on Ebay, so I had no history. Better replace that....

Took the lower unit off, it came out fine. Followed instructions and replaced the O-Ring on the drive shaft and lubed the splines. Getting ready to take off the impeller after removing the pump housing.

Grabbed it by the drive shaft.....yep....PLUNK! The drive shaft pulled out! I looked at it, it was fine spline and I thought....crap....

Tried just putting it back in there...but she wouldn't just slide in. Tried again...nope.

I uh...started to panic. LOL... "I broke it" I thought.

So, after that passed, I decided to try and move the prop a bit, rotate it, see if I could ease that drive shaft back in.

Only took a couple of wiggles, (I didn't really turn it) while applying light pressure and the drive shaft found the splines of the pinion gear and popped back in.

Whew!

My first experience with a lower unit....

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

My son was given a 46" Champion 1-J. Wouldn't turn at all. Opened the case and it looked like someone had raised the lower unit above the power head and ran some water in the cylinder on the back side of the piston and laid it on it's back and left it. Needless to say, with 1/8" rust in the bore, there was no saving it. This should serve as a lesson to us all to never raise the lower unit out of the water above the power head.

I hope this is not the case with yours. If you get it freed up, go through the L. U. with seals and impeller. Then you know it's right. Will probrbly need a carb cleaning too.

 

[rernst]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

It's free! Put air on each plug hole for just a few minutes, while oil ran out lower unit, but no movement.

Refilled each cylinder with penetrating oil.

Couple hours later, put a wrench on the flywheel and gave slight tugs in both directions and all of a sudden it turned!

Now to check over other items, ensure lube in the lower unit at least, clean up carb and ensure gas will flow from tank to carb and see if it has spark, then see if it'll kick at all.

Yay, thanks everyone! Another success story here on iboats forums.

Rich

P.S. Should I start a new thread for carb or other questions, or just keep 'em here? I'd tend to put in new thread for anything specific, I try to make the subjects really clear, vs. "help" or "what's wrong with my engine?" Example, I've heard you can't get a new plastic float for this carb, but there's another float that can be used with minor mods, or something.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

Wow. I liked that air pressure idea and now it worked for you. What a great idea. What psi did you use?

And I'd start a new thread for a new question.

 

[rernst]

Re: frozen locked up 1957 3 hp Evinrude Lightwin

I think my old compressor is set to it's max, 125psi, so that's what I used.

Remember, in my case, it did NOT move the pistons, but did blow the penetrating oil past them, thru exhaust. That, of course, was good in itself, I'm sure.

Then just took a little tug in both directions about 3 times and it moved.

Rich