just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

[praisnm]

ok, so i just got it from this guy for 100 dollars...looks to be in good shape, but it has been sitting for quite some time...i tried to pull it on choke and start...but the pull string is really tight..pulled it all the way and it got a little looser...is there a way to make this much much looser...also...should i just replace the spark plugs and go from there? i don't know the 1st thing about this motor...it came with a tank and a double rubber hose....one for gas...and i guess one for air...the tank has a primer button on it...i guess it builds up pressure in there. it also has a fitting that needs to be cleaned up to fit onto the motor. is there like a starter fluid for these? if so..where do i put it to start the thing? the motor i am sure is bone dry...hasn't been run in a long time...everything seems to look fine though, but then again, i am not familiar with these...the shifter works...and the propeller will only spin the way it is shifted into, so i guess that is a good sign...here are some pics

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/davidsportfolio/IMG_0020.jpg?t=1205118835

http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/davidsportfolio/?action=view&current=IMG_0018.jpg

 

[jbjennings]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

First, someone would probably pay you close to 100 bucks on ebay just for the tank and fuel line connector you're holding. Did the guy tell you it would run? Is the tank clean and free of rust? If not, that's your first step. Next would be getting 16:1 fuel in the tank and see if the primer button will work. You'll need good clean hose, too. If you search the forum for "awakening a sleeping engine" thread it'll be helpful. If your motor is not easy to pull you definitely need to put some light oil in the spark plug holes to free it up good. It's not a good sign for it to be hard to pull. You might even take the 2 little exhaust covers off on the shifter side of the engine and squirt a little oil in there while you look at the pistons and rings for damage while you turn the flywheel. Once it's freely turning, you can squirt some fuel/oil mix in the carb and see what it does. If the coils are old you'll have to replace 'em because you probably don't have any spark. There's a lot of things to worry about but those are very good, reliable, and easy to work on engines. I'm suprised you bought a 54 year old motor without seeing it run....Did you see it run? If it doesn't, you'll probably wind up spending 150 to 200 bucks getting it in good running, reliable condition. It is well worth it if it has good compression and the lower unit gears and clutch dog are good. You should do a compression test before you spend any money on it. You can get a tester from a neighbor or spend 20 bucks at O'Reilly's or autozone and get one yourself. Oh, and if you actually do get it running ( I hope you have it in a trashcan full of water before you try cranking it) you need to look at the exhaust hole in the midsection to see if it's blowing water out. I like for the water level to be about 2 or 3 inches below the exhaust hole in the midsection. Even if it does pump water out, I would replace the water pump impeller (about 15 bucks). You'll have to take the powerhead off to get the lower unit off to change the impeller but it's really easy and quick to do that, so don't freak out. I believe a manual would be a good place to start. By the way, I don't know how much you know about these oldies, so I hope I didn't waste your time. It looks like it might be a good motor but the red cylinder head looks a little suspect.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

please edit you post and resize your pictures.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

Like JBJ said, you should really lube the powerhead before trying to start it. If its still hard to pull after that, then separate the powerhead from the lower unit and try again. If its easier to pull with the lower detached then you have a broken shock absorber in the lower unit that will need to be addressed. Either way, you need to replace the water pump impeller so you will have to remove the lower unit anyway.

 

[praisnm]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

unfortunately yes I did get the motor without hearing it run....1st I figured the guy would try it without water...2nd...he lived in the ghetto...and my 2000 pathfinder was easily the nicest vehicle around. anyway...what about hooking up a hose with those suction cup things...couldnt I do that? I really think it need to be lubed and have a tune-up...but what do I know...how do I get the lower unit off? I have not looked super close...so when I get home...what should I do 1st?...try and lube? I guess checking the gas tank...putting a little fuel oil mix in it and see if the primer works. am I right with a 24:1 mix?....not sure how big the tank is either.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

You can't use muffs. It has to be submerged in water. Lube the powerhead. 24:1 is fine. Follow the instructions for tuning up a 5.5 hp given at the following website.

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/

 

[mchin]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

Looks like a nice motor, i think ya got a good deal.

I would stick with 16:1 mix, I would pull the plugs and squirt in some wd40 and slowly hand crank the fly wheel, feeling for resistance and stop if I hear metal grinding or scraping, if the previous owner used 24:1 the bushings would be oil starved and eventually seize up. the diff between 24 and 16 in terms of cost is small, so why risk your motor. lastly, there have been several compelling articles concerning this topic in antique outboarder.
If ya hear metal grinding, I would suggest a full tear down. I would also be sure to clean the fuel bowl and filter, it looks a bit dirty.

two line hose is available, but you can convert this classic to a single line motor, which would be fine. Impellers and other parts are really not too hard to get. I would keep all the parts left over from the conversion as well as the tank - to a collector it would be more valuable complete. Coils and condensers are also readily available and pretty simple to replace.

I would also consider joining the antique outboard motor club - AOMCI.org or at least buying a manual for your motor - the books from glenns are easy to read and follow. i think amazon has them somtimes, even though are long out of print. also seloc, clymer and intertec have manuals as well.

also do a search on youtube for mr g's garage- he and his son are rebuilding a 10 or 15 hp omc which is similar. he had about 6 episode up on youtube. or check out peter hunns book the classic outboard motor handbook, he rebuilds a 10 hp omc which is also similar to your motor.

I have several 50's motors and they are all great, run strong and last a longtime as long as you do not abuse them. I find them easy to run and care for.

The redhead does look suspect, if it's red primer, I would wonder if all the pain flaked off from over heating. If it's a replacement head, then the motor may have had some work done. also the freeze plug looks punched, so that to me indicates some work in that area.


good luck and have fun

 

[wbeaton]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

It clearly has a Johnson head.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

Also, 24:1 is recommended by OMC/BRP for the AD and Fleetwin outboards. You can use 16:1 if you want.

 

[praisnm]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

so i checked out that website for tuning up the motor...HOLY COW! i didn't expect to have to put that much work into it. AND IT SAYS MY TANK IS A TICKING TIME BOMB!!!! i tell ya that is not very encouraging!!! so now i have to get a new tank and a bunch of parts to make the thing run???
so when i pull the string on it....it does have the compression popping sound...i guess i would put that out there in hopes that it might make things a little easier on me. just the cost alone of the parts is crazy!!!
so lets say i sell this gas tank and adapters...where should i sell it and for how much? anyone here wanna buy it? all i want is a motor to move my boat! something light weight...and small haha. when i get home late tonight..i am gonna pull the plugs out...and put some wd 40 in there...i don't have a big metal trash can...so i hope i can find something to work with...any ideas? now i have this gas tank that i am afraid to death of even putting gas in....and pumping up. what do i do in the mean time? now i have a motor...no way of putting gas to it to start and run it..assuming that it will even run without putting $200 into it. i really wish i could have it up and running before turkey season, but i think that is a lost cause beings i don't have much money. i think that the pulling will be easier when i put some lube in...is there a way to check to see if i'm getting a spark to my plugs? i'll keep you all posted.
BTW...THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPIN ME OUT!!!

 

[wbeaton]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

Don't let the tank warning scare you. The problem is LARGELY overstated. As long as its not rusty you are fine. All tanks have the potential to explode.

As for the $150-200. That's about right if it needs a complete tune-up. Of course, where are you going to get a good running 7.5 hp motor for under $250-300, which is what you'll have invested. You can save $10 by not taking off the head like the website suggests. I wouldn't pop it off unless I had to.

You can use anything that'll hold water to test the motor. A big Rubbermaid tub will work too.

You can do the work required in a day. If its too much work then you need to buy yourself a running outboard and have someone else maintain it for you.

 

[patrickray]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

If it becomes to much for you. Ill take it off your hands.

 

[praisnm]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

i took the two spark plugs out and sprayed some wd 40 in there. and gave some pulls on the rope...it loosened quite a bit...it also has that popping compression soud. the red head on it...that seems to be painted....i have not done anything except pulling the plugs out. so...what would happen if i just hook up the gas line..put the motor in the water...give it a pull and hope for the best? is there a chance it would run? well, i would probably pull the lower unit off and make sure the impeller was in decent shape...then probably give it a shot...or is that a HORRIBLE idea? at the end of the day...lets say i use this pressure tank....what do you have to do in order to remove gas line...that way i can take motor on and off?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

Personally, I think running any "new to you" outboard without first performing basic maintenance and testing is foolish. Like my buddy once said about his new used boat after running with an untested outboard..."it paddles like a dream".

The head has been replaced with one from a Johnson 7.5 hp - no big deal. That might suggest its had work done, which more importantly means the coils have probably been replaced. Check them before doing anything. To do so, remove the rewind starter. On top of the flywheel there is an inspection plate. Remove it and take a look at the coils. If they are cracked or sweaty they are no good even if they spark.

The part pictured in your hand is the quick connect for the fuel line. Replace the double line fuel hose or use two single hoses taped together. Make sure the tank and filter bowl are clean and try it out.

Change the impeller (BRP 434424) as well as the cork washer (BRP 303355) and o-ring (BRP 303347), which comprises the lower crankcase seal that sit upon the driveshaft. Change the lower unit oil and vent/drain screw washers.

 

[DJ]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

...lets say i use this pressure tank....what do you have to do in order to remove gas line...that way i can take motor on and off?

The fuel line just unplugs from the engine. You had the plug in your hand, in one picture.

I have a '57' 7.5 that also has the two line tank set up. Not a thing in the world wrong with them. Make sure the hose connections are tight.

You can put a few hours/buck$ into that engine and it will outlive you. Or, you can do nothing to it and burn it up in ten minutes-your choice.

 

[praisnm]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

ok, so i took the top off the flywheel here are some pics i took of it..looks to be cracked
let me know what you think...
i could not get the shell off it because of the choke and something else that i am not sure what it is, haha.

this is the other one

found this pic online...this is what they are supposed to look like i guess

i'd say mine is cracked...how hard are those to change?

also..i took the lower part of the engine off...and there is a rod connecting the lower and upper...how do i disconnect that rod? i am guessing that is what turns the propeller.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

The website Iposted earlier tells you how to do everything. Those coils need to go. You have to remove the powerhead and disconnect the shift linkage.

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

Yup, those are the coils. Follow the tuneup directions on the website Wayne posted. Last time I did one it was about $60 to replace coils/points/condensors, but that was retail pricing 3 or so years ago. Can't remember if the 54 is direct drive or shift. If it has a shift lever on the right (starboard) side, there may be an access plate on the lower unit. If there is a plate, remove it and you will see the shift rod connection. If there is no plate, you probably have to disconnect the powerhead from the lower unit to find the connection. Be careful undoing the connector, the bolt likes to jump down into the lower unit. When you reconnect it, the shift rod has to be aligned right so the screw will thread in without forcing it...force it and you will strip the threads and then have to buy a new connector. Just takes patience. You've got a great project/patient to work on there...great way to learn it inside and out and then have a good fishing/boating buddy you can rely on.

 

[praisnm]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

yeah, i know it will be a great motor, just didn't know i would have this much work to do on it...the picture of the coil i showed was like $18 for each, but those other things you metioned will be a bit more. the problem lies in that i bought it thinking it would run with maybe a new impeller. the wife is not too excited about me spending money on this because we have a kid on the way...so it may be a year before i get to do anything with it...the downside is that i was hoping to have a running boat by the beginning of april, and september at the latest...i want it to hunt with..and turkey season is coming up.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: just got a 54 evrinrude fleetwin 7.5hp help please

Great little motors! I just picked up a 1958 version for $40, myself. Lower unit was trashed, but I had a parts motor with a thrown rod. A little parts swapping and it's now a runner! It's now sitting beside my '56, '55 and '52 versions...

As was mentioned - shop around a bit and you can get the parts on the cheap. Expecting a 50+ year old motor just to need $20 in parts might be a bit optimistic.

Have an "in" at your local NAPA? They might have the ignition parts, too, under the same part numbers. Also, get the parts and gaskets lined up beforehand and you can have the tune-up done in a day. Might have to borrow a harmonic puller to get the flywheel off, though. Lots of posts here on iboats regarding the tune-up procedures.

- Scott