Hard Starting after rebuild

[DWNewt]

I have a 1977 75hp Evinrude which I rebuilt. I had the block rebored and installed new pistons, the whole nine yards. I tried starting the engine today but had no luck. It is turning very slowly and really seems as though it need lubrication on the rings. I oiled the pistons before installation and even used a light machine assembly grease. To top that, I don't get any fire at the plug. I didn't have this problem b-4.<br /><br />Any ideas or sites to help me out.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

is the lower unit dragging? did you check the ring end gaps in the bores? and its possible you missed one of the main bearing dowls and have crushed the bearing shell and is binding the crank. its also possible your starter or cables or battery is subpar. with the plugs out you should be able to spin the motor over with one hand on the flywheel.

 

[DWNewt]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

Don't think the lower unit is dragging. I made sure that the bearings were aligned with the dowels. It set perfectly when reassembling. Could be my cables. I took the plugs out and was able to turn it by hand. Why no spark at the plug though?

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

While rebuilding , did you check often, that the motor turned freely. If your starter is turning it over, is the battery fully charged. You said its barely turning, how did you check for a spark? It needs to be turning over normally , before I'd worry about the spark issue. Hard to guess , but I'd be sure the motor turns over smoothly by hand , (unhook battery) if theres anything but even , smooth , rotation I'd guess something in the crank/ con rod to piston assembly may be off.<br /> Good-Luck,<br /> KYHunter

 

[DWNewt]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

OK, I did change the water pump. I put the engine in gear and tried to turn the prop by hand. It did seem as if it was binding on something, but otherwise free in neutral. I thought I installed everything correctly. Since the engine only starts in neutral with no load on the prop, how could this effect that. How do I fix the problem?

 

[Seasport]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

Sounds like the motor is turning over OK. Could well be a starter motor wiring problem as mentioned. Check that you have a good ground connection between the -ve battery terminal and powerhead.<br /><br />I presume you have a fully charged & good battery.<br /><br />Measure the voltage directly across the starter motor as it is turning the motor over, i.e. between the +ve starter motor terminal and the case of the starter motor. Should be more than 9.5V for the starter motor to operate OK. If not you'll need to do some voltage tests to find out where the voltage is being dropped.

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

Im a little lost here, it starts , when did that happen ? I thought,<br /> "I tried starting the engine today but had no luck. It is turning very slowly and really seems as though it need lubrication "<br /> <br /> Was what you asked, you said only start in neutral , thats how everyone Ive ever had was.<br /> If your saying now that it starts, then when put in gear dies. I'd check that your water pump install , didn't cause it. You might have something, in the drivetrain in a bind. Though I dont know what. I really am just guessing, as I've never had a problem like yours. <br /> I'd just start checking the things worked on, to be sure they are correct.<br /> Good-Luck,<br /> KYHunter

 

[Seasport]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

KY I think he means that it's only *meant* to start in neutral. From what I gather he hasn't got it started yet.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

Eliminate what it isn't...<br /><br />Start with the starter. Try jumping directly to the starter with jumper cables. If it goes, then you know you've got something amiss in the starting system. If not, then it might be the starter. Sometimes a starter gets banged around when it's been removed, loosening debris inside (they're usually filthy in there!!) or even breaking a magnet if it's dropped, or has something dropped on it. Try a known good battery.<br /><br />Does the motor turn freely when turned by hand and the plugs out? You should feel a little crankcase compression, but not enough to prevent it from spinning relatively easily. A new impeller, particularly a dry one, will drag a bit.<br /><br />How fast was the motor spinning when you noted no spark?<br /><br />Process of elimination....<br /><br />- Scott

 

[perkdp]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

Hey guys, I'm working on a 1973 18 hp, 1st one I've worked on down to the crank. I see those dowels you mentioned above and have wondered what part they play. Does the crank bearing but against them as guides or does it sit on top of them ? (on top of being my first, i got this motor in buckets so i didn't get to watch it come apart. <br />thanks....

 

[Solittle]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

perkdp - Start a new thread for your problem.

 

[DWNewt]

Re: Hard Starting after rebuild

Seems Rodbolt was correct. It was my cables combined with a low charged battery. I charged the battery overnight and replaced the end on the negative cable. She started right up. It was dragging due to the cable. Thanks guys. I'm following the break in procedure.