Hydro-electric lower unit problems

[ErikF]

Hi,

I'm back with a new issue on my 1972 65HP Evinrude. I was on the lake yesterday and everything started out as usual, engine shifts fine from neutral to forward, reverse slips at high speed but this has been "normal" for the last two years.

Then all of a sudden the engine quit on the lake and wouldn't restart. I pulled the cowl and tried to turn the flywheel by hand, it was tight and would only move a few degrees in either direction but eventually after moving it back and forth a few degrees it started turning again normally.

Then I tried to restart the motor, it started right up and shifted into forward fine, but a few hundred feet down the lake it locked up again.

Now I have the boat back in the shop, with the lower unit removed the powerhead runs fine like usual, so something in the lower unit is locking up. I'm in the process of pulling it apart right now, any ideas on what I should be looking for? If reverse was weak is there a possibility that part of the shift dog had broken off and is intermittently getting stuck in the drivetrain?

Also if the lower unit turns out to be trashed and non-repairable does anyone know where a working replacement might be found, I have good solenoids.

Erik

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Hydro-electric lower unit problems

I am thinking you are going to find a large chunk of broken-off something that was locking up the gears.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Hydro-electric lower unit problems

I've owned close to 70 outboard motors over the years, though I've only run maybe a dozen or so on a daily basis. The late 60 / early 70 hydro electrics caused me more grief than all the others combined. My guess is that there probably aren't too many mechanics left that can fix them right.

Not to be toooo negative, buttttt......If it were mine, I'd be shopping for a new motor.

 

[ErikF]

Re: Hydro-electric lower unit problems

Well Guys,

It's apart. Here's what I'm seeing, the second bearing under the water pump broke apart and fused to the drive-shaft, the bearing also did some damage to the housing but nothing looks beyond repair yet. The reverse issue looks pretty straight forward as well, the shift dog is worn on the engagement surfaces as well as the reverse gear itself.

On the bright side we have a Machine shop on the farm as well as MIG/TIG welders so as long as I can find a replacement bearing I should be able to get it going again.

How is parts availability for these motors? I know that some of the electrical pieces are NLA but I have no idea on the bearings and such, any good sources I should check for parts?

Jim,

I am looking for another motor, but more because the 65HP is underpowered for my 18' boat. I appreciate a challenge and while it's no fun to be stranded on the lake I do enjoy wrenching back in the shop and making things "go again." It's a point of pride to say "I can fix that" or "I can learn to fix that."

But yes, for all practical purposes a new or different motor would make sense.

If anyone is interested I can take some pictures of everything torn down and the carnage caused by the blown up bearing?

Erik

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Hydro-electric lower unit problems

If it is the pinion bearing then that is listed as NLA at shop2.evinrude.com and marineengine.com. Try calling seaway marine. 206-937-7373. There is a list of other sources in the Top Secret thread at the top of this forum.

 

[ErikF]

Re: Hydro-electric lower unit problems

Hi,

Looks like I need all the parts from the "O" ring below the upper bearing housing down to the thrust bearing.

I've done some looking and the "O" ring is available as is the thrust bearing. The shims seem to be NLA but I found the spec that they are .002" and .005" so hopefully I can source them somewhere.

The thrust washer doesn't seem to be available, the diagram number isn't even referenced on Evinrudes site. It's part # 74 on the diagram, anyone know of a source or the part number itself so I can do some searching?

Thanks!

Erik

 

[boobie]

Re: Hydro-electric lower unit problems

Not to burst your bubble but if it was myself I'd part the mtr out. I worked on a lot of those back in the day, and there was always something going wrong with them. I wouldn't even think of having one today even tho' I understand them.