Newbie questions

[Jim Blake]

Hi all:

I just got an old (1970 to 1975?) JC Penney/ Eska/ Tecumseh 5 1/2 hp two stroke air cooled outboard.

Supposedly all it needs is a coil to run. I have ordered the coil and will put it on in the next few days. If it does run I intend to clean/ adjust the points, install a new plug and condenser, clean/ rebuild carb and change the oil in the lower unit. What else should I examine/ expect/ look out for.

Also I believe it is recommended to run on 23/1 or 32/1 mixture... is that really necessary or can I run a 50/1 mixture with Amzoil like I used to run in my motorcycles?

How do I check to see if the water pump is working in the lower unit; do I just put it in a bucket of water and run it.... if so, where should water come out?

Where can I look for the Tecumseh serial number (the JC Penney serial number 1001 is on a plate just below the lower motor cowl).

I'm sure this sounds dumb but I have worked on a number of motorcycle engines and lawn mower engines and I am confused with what I see when I remove the gas tank/ starter recoil. When I work the tiller throttle the entire armature that houses the coil/ plugs/ condenser rotates around the shaft. Does this engine advance timing to acheive higher RPMs or is there an attachment to the carb under this arrangement that I haven't noticed.

Finally, what shop books are recommended; is there an owners manual that I can find online or should I buy one off of ebay ect.

I'm reasonably handy and have been able to bring a lot of small engined equioment back to life but I hope I'm not in above my head on this one.


Thanks for all the help

 

[F_R]

Re: Newbie questions

Yes it advances / retards the spark for optimal high speed, and slow idle. The carburetor is synchronized with the armature plate also.

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: Newbie questions

I have a couple of similar air cooled motors(Eska, Elgin). I would have cleaned and set the points first. Many a motor I've picked up (many a make) with no spark. Cleaning the points in many cases gave me spark when I may have assumed it was the coil. The Eska coils are pretty tough. Anyway, it's a moot point since you've already ordered the coil (trying to save you money after the fact). Some of these air cooled motors may have a water pump of sorts and others like mine have a small pipe on the lower unit. The movement of the motor and prop forces water up the pipe to cool the lower part of the block/bearing. The rest is as designed; air cooled. If you do some research you should find a number of sites that will explain this process better than I can. Let us know how you make out or if you have any more questions?

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Newbie questions

Apparently it,s a 1975 5.5TG. Tecumseh's engine number is 643-20B, so if it was a Sears motor, it would be a 217.585710. This means you can see 'sploded views of if it here;

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/par...s/Model-217585710/0247/1305320/00001027/00005

from which I see that oh yes you do have a water pump. It's not there to look cool, ya need it. The Sears site is fine for part numbers, but don't use them for parts, they get'em from here;

VinParts

Call'em with part numbers or a model number, that lady will hook you right up with OEM stuff. OEM is importand, aftermarket gaskets can screw you over. These guys are also OEM parts vendors;

Results for ESKA - Sears / Ted Wms

You can enter part numbers in the search box to see if they have it. If you are prudent, you'll put a fresh impeller in it, and don't forget to order the pin that drives it. Later motors had needle rollers in the lower unit for the driveshaft and prop shaft, yours has sleeve bearings, so keep good lube in it. If it was me, I would put new points and a condenser in it, set the points at .020", and look for spark again. Coils do fail, but it's not common. I guess we'll see, and good luck. Also, this might be useful;

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...yIDgCw&usg=AFQjCNFyV3DySsyYi6nVe48DzXtqHKbLCQ

 

[Jim Blake]

Re: Newbie questions

Thanks for the help guys.

So here's where I am;

I replaced the coil and no spark (BTW the coil needed to be replaced the spark plug lead had broken completely out of the coil housing).... so I checked the wiring and it looked right, pulled the points dust cover and the points wern't opening.... so I adjusted the points and got a good spark.

Next I fed it some carb cleaner and it started and ran for a few seconds, great.... so I replace all of the fuel hoses, put in a fuel filter and...... NOTHING..... it didn't seem to be getting fuel so I pulled the shut off valve, cleaned it and put it back in...it seems to not be getting much fuel but I thought if I fed it a little carb cleaner it would pull gas but it wouldn't so I think I need to pull and clean the carb.... am I right or might I have missed something?

I looked in the gas tank and the pick up seemed to be about an inch high; with such a small tank that doesn't seem right unless the tank has a reserve setting.... I didn't see anything that looked like a reserve valve.... is this right?

If I have to clean the carb what do I need to look out for? I have read about sme sort of red bulb or valve or something that tends to fail in these carbs... should I get a handfull of these? Should I do a full carb rebuild or should I just clean it and put it back toghether?

I'm getting close; after the carb I understand that these have a water pump in the lower unit; what is it for? Does it cool the motor or quite the exhaust?

Can I test the water pump and if so how?

Thanks again everyone, you guys just might get me through this.

Thanks all,

Jim

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: Newbie questions

Carb cleaner will not help an engine fire-up. It may not even be flammable. It's for cleaning not running. Though many frown on it and it does not provide the necessary lubricant I've found a shot or two of ether (starting fluid) will tell you if you have spark or if the motor is going to run. I have mixed feelings about add-on fuel filters. I've taken them off a number of motors with the tank on top because they seem to restrict the fuel flow (I'd like to know what others think about these filters). Just something to keep in mind. There is no reserve on any of these tanks that I know of. The pick-up you're looking at may be a metal screen to keep crud out; usually cylindrical in shape. I'm not familiar with the carb you have but if you cleaned it up I'd try to use it and see if it runs. You can always pop it off and go further. As for the water pump; once again I'm not familiar with this motor but if there is a pump it is not to quiet the exhaust.