Not been started in over 30 years...

[josh6780]

I have a small Evinrude that has not been started in over 30 years. Do you think it will start. I know nothing about boat engines. So if there is any instruction on steps that need to be done before I try to start please help.

 

[daveswaves]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

Hi Josh, you should assume it will not start. There are a few things you should do before you try to start it. First get yourself a manual, there is a ton of help on this board but to be fair, and so that you can learn, a reference book is a must.<br />Some of the things you will have to do.<br />The carb will need to be cleaned<br />the water pump impeller will have to be replaced, it is bad.<br />The flywheel needs to be removed, properly, and the coils and points inspected and or replaced.<br />If the lower unit still has oil in it you need to replace it, if it doesn't, you need to find out why.<br />The good news is that these engines are easy to work on, the manuals explain things well, the parts are still available usually and quite reasonable. And best of all, lots of folks here like to help out. When you are posting questions you need to tell us what you have done already, and the model etc of the engine, not just old evinrude.

 

[josh6780]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

I know the serial number. I don't know how to get you the model. I have the service book on it. I do know it's 73-89. The ones that use the gas and oil mixture. Someone told me I just need to hook up the gas/oil line and see if it cranks up. If it does then do a full service? Is there anything I need to do bedore I just try to crank it up?<br /><br />Josh

 

[DJ]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

Josh,<br /><br />Read this.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000033

 

[josh6780]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

thank you, But before I do everything that says. Can I hook up the gas and see if she turns over?<br />I don't want to do all that and then have it not work.

 

[joblo33]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

You can do a compression check on the cylinders first to see if it's worth it. If the compression is good there's no reason that it won't run. It's just a matter of how much work it'll take to get it running. Do the carb cleaning whether it runs or not. And check out the ignition because coils sitting for that long will probably have cracked. The impeller HAS TO BE REPLACED, whether it pisses or not. It'll be brittle and the last thing you want is rubber fins in the cooling system.<br />Eric

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

30 years isn't **THAT** old...it might start right up<br /><br />Sure...it would do no harm to try to start it IF you observe just a couple of simple cautions:<br /><br />(1) Pull the plugs and squirt in some 2 cycle oil. It will help protect the cylinder components from initial wear before your fuel mix gets in there and lubricates things. It would be best to spray some "fogging" oil in through the carb as well...for the same reason<br /><br />(2) Be absolutely certain that you know how to check for proper cooling. Either put the engine in water (a trash can works well...or hook up the "muff" style water gadgets...). If your engine does not pump water...shut it off immediately after it gets running.<br /><br />(3) Check that the lower unit has oil in it.<br /><br />The rest of the stuff...carb rebiulding and immpeller changes can be done later. You might want to check compression prior to doing anything...just to see if your specimen is a healthy one...<br /><br />Thanks for reading, Chuck

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

Don't be so quick to just start her up without replacing the water pump. There's a good chance that the impeller will come apart and get pieces blown up into the powerhead, not good. The pump will have to be replaced anyway, why take a chance. Do it right the first time and that 'Ole Girl' will spring to life with the minimal of fuss.

 

[kevin88]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

In my humble opinion, you could save yourself a lot of time and money by doing the compression test first. Don't sink money into a dead horse. If you know the compression reading right off the bat you'll know 100% what your up against. If the compression is good then replace the water pump without question. Then if you like try to fire the motor. However, nothing replaces a good carb cleaning which I highly recommend.<br /><br />Just for extra caution squirt some 2 cycle oil in the cylinders and turn it over several times with the plugs out. Do the compression check on the following day as the oil will help seal worn rings and may give you a false higher reading.<br /><br />On a side note after sitting for even 2 years a water pump impellar is shot. The neoprene material develops a memory which greatly reduces it's pumping power. After several years dry rot will take over and turning over a motor with a dry rotted impellar is just asking for trouble as Eric says above. <br />Your power head may also have rubber or neoprene deflectors in the cooling system to direct the flow of cooling water. These will be located under the head and will require the head(s) be removed in order to replace them. These may also have dry rotted.<br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

Josh, if it helps I just went through the same thing with a Evinrude 25 1973 model: last run in 1976. This is what I did:<br /><br />1. Mounted the engine on a water tank.<br /><br />2. Remove plugs and inject some oil into the cylinders.<br /><br />3. Cleaned and checked the gap on the plugs.<br /><br />4. Rotate the flywheel slowly by hand without the plugs to move the oil around the cylinders.<br /><br />5. Replaced the plugs.<br /><br />6. Started her right up.....and she ran beautiful.<br /><br />I heard a lot of horror stories about impellors going bad and breaking off then blocking water passages etc but I figured I'd take the chance. As it was once I'd got the engine running I then rebuilt the water pump and discovered that the impellor was fine: there were no cracks or bits missing, just slight tip scoring. In fact I'm amazed at how good the impellor was, but I'd never have taken the engine out and used it with the old impellor in.<br />I also replaced the fuel pump because the rubber in there wasn't in good condition after all that time.<br /><br />The only question I'd ask: was it stored indoors or out?<br /><br />Hope you get her going!

 

[josh6780]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

I have two. One has not been started in about 8 years and it was stored indoors. The one that has not been started in over 30 years has been outside.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

do the same thing with both of them. it's all been said in this post. if you don't do what has been said ally will have are 2 anchors. i run a 1955 15hp evinrude, 1973 50hp evinrude and a 1998 mercruiser 4.3L 190hp. you have to do the service to keep them running. the guys here will save you alot of time, haedaches, and money. all 3 of my boats start on the 1st or 2nd try and will run all day long.

 

[josh6780]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

Ok, I just got the engine to start today! So far I have havn't changed a thing. (this is the engine that has not been started in about 7 to 8years.) But before the engine was put away, it had been serviced. When I opened it up it looked great. The spark plugs looked great. I did what yall said. except at first I think I put to much oil in the cilenders. B/c it would not fire. Anyway I took out the plugs and cranked for a while till all the oil came out. then I cleaned the plugs with gas. and then put them back in and it started right up. I shut it off right away. And now im back here with more questions. <br /><br />1. How do I know if I need a new water pump or impler? (I was thinking since it had been serviced before they put it away that it would be fine.)<br /><br />2. is water suppose to come out of the exaust? (because it was)<br /><br />3. When I have the tail in the becket of water how much need to be submerged in the water?<br /><br />4. what is the best oil/ratio mix? Right now mine is 50:50<br /><br />5. Where is the lower unit I check to see if it has oil in it?

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

Josh,<br />As was previously stated, it's not a question of Do you need a new water pump impeller, you do. The arms of the impeller take a set after all these years and won't pump water as well as a new one. Worse case, the arms break off and get pushed up into the powerhead, blocking the flow...not a good thing. Another reason to drop the lower unit to replace the impeller is to grease to drive shaft splines. Lack of grease on the splines can cause the driveshaft to sieze with the crankshaft. Rusting of this junction can cause big headaches later on.<br /><br />As for the exhaust, if there are a series of small holes (sometimes just one larger hole)just below the powerhead, it should emit a fine mist of water when running. This shows that water is being pushed thru the powerhead. <br /><br />Lower the motor into a tank deep enough to cover the water pickup screen. Water level half way up the leg should be plenty.<br /><br />50:50 Mix ??? Way too much oil. 50:1 ratio is best. 50 parts gas to 1 part TCW-3 oil. Basically, 6 gals. gas with 16 oz. of oil. 3 gals of gas with 8 oz. of oil....you get the idea..<br /><br />The lower unit is the gear case down at the prop. Most have a drain screw and a vent screw. Remove both to drain lower unit lube. Stay away from the phillips head screw ...thats Not the one you want.<br /><br />Basically,you need a service manual for your motor.All of these issues are covered within. Your local library may have a manual. You can order manuals from iboats too. Just find the icon link at the bottom of this page.

 

[josh6780]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

ok so, all I need to replace on this engine is the impeller? Not the water pump or anything els. Correct?<br /><br />Where do I get an impeller and how much do they cost?<br /><br />When I drain the lower unit. That all I have to do is drain it. Correct?

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

Josh I do believe the water pump IS the impeller, guys, am I wrong on this?

 

[lark2004]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

the impeller is part of the pump..... The most important part. <br /><br />There is also the pump housing, the wearplate(underneath the housing) and a rubber gromet that seals the housing to the tube that goes up to the powerhead. There is also (most of the time) a seal on the pump housing to keep exhaust gasses out, and water in. There is also a woodruff key to drive the impeller. Most of the time, the old impeller is stuck on this, and needs to be cut away. A small bit of marine grease on the driveshaft goes a long way here. Especially in about 2 years time when you need to replace the impeller again.<br /><br />Josh, if you drain the oil out of the lower unit, you will need to refill it (make sure you use the correct oil). Look for water in the old oil, if there is any water, you will need to put in new seals.<br /><br />BTW, what sort of engine are you working on? How much horsepower? Electric start or rope? electric shift or manual?<br /><br />The model number should be on a plate, riveted to the transom bracket.

 

[josh6780]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

the model number is 251025. I just got the impeller today. So I guess im going to start trying to replace it. Hope this does not get crazy hard.<br /><br /><br />oh and when I drain the lower unit. How do I get oil back in it?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

2 things-Make sure you have the impeller installed the correct way(The vanes facing the correct direction) and use dish soap when installing it in the housing cup....<br /><br /> Waterpump video

 

[josh6780]

Re: Not been started in over 30 years...

where is the shift shaft thingy. So I can remove the lower unit. And how do you do that? I can't find it in the book.