Slow '69 Evinrude 33

[Jon Z]

I have a 1969 Evinrude 33hp that I recently got running. I rebuilt the carb and it fires up and idles without problems. I took it out on the water and found that the RPMs do not come up smooth (kind of lurches). I did get it to full throttle once for about 1 minute (and it was sweet!) but then couldn't get it to go above 1/2 throttle. It ran very smooth at 1/2 throttle, but wouldn't go higher. I've played with the high & low carb adjustments without any luck (the motor runs best at only 1/2 turn out for the high needle... is this too lean?). I'm not sure if this is an issue of the carb vs. armature not advancing vs. ???

Anybody have any ideas? Thanks!

 

[bowman316]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

is it remote control, or tiller operated?
Make sure when the throttle is at full, the carbs are opened all the way.
maybe the motor is too low in the water, and it is having trouble getting the boat on plane. try raising it, or a different prop.

 

[DJ]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

Welcome!

You have a cylinder "dropping out".

Since you have one carb. let's rule out fuel. For now.

I suspect you have a point(s) or coil issue.

If the coils are original, replace them. While you're in there, do the points and condensers too.

Get a manual. It will guide you through the steps.

That engine will run another fifty years if you heed the manual.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

You can test for a dead cyl by pulling one plug, and seeing if it will start.
If you have a dead one, switch wires, run one wire from coil 1 to spark plug 2, and vise versa. If the engine starts on the dead cyl, when you switch the wire, then it is a bad coil.

 

[F_R]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

Say what?? Putting the wires on the wrong plugs will put it 180 degrees out of time. Backfire city.

 

[Jon Z]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

Thanks, guys! This is very helpful.

It is remote control, not tiller. I know the carb is open all the way (I've manually operated it). So it sounds like its a cylinder dropping out, eh? Is it possible that they both could have been firing for a bit (when she ran like a champ) and then dropped out again? Is it likely that it would start real easy with only 1 cylinder? Thanks again!

 

[F_R]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

I can almost promise you that it is running on one cylinder. Yep, the other one fired and it took off for awhile. They will start and idle just fine on one.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

If your positive you lost spark.Remove the flywheel ,that will xpose the coils ,points and condenser.Replace all for simplict and because those coils are prone to go bad just over time.That is the easiest thing to do rather than down the road need to continue going in to replace parts as they go.Start new,you will be ahead of the game.Points are set at 20.Get a feeler guage to set em.Theres a more techanicl way ,but feeler guage ,setting at .20 is it.

 

[Jon Z]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

OK, so it sounds like coils, points, and condensers need to be changed. I'm fine with the mechanical stuff, but have a dumb question: do points go by another name? I'm looking for them on the Evinrude parts site and can only find "coil & lamination" and "condenser". Does some else sell a kit to do this? Also, I can't seem to find the safety switch (which grounds to the powerhead). Which category would this be under?

Thanks!

 

[F_R]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

The (breaker) points are called 580148 breaker assembly. The safety switch is shown on the powerhead page, near the top of the exhaust cover plate.
Points and condensers as a "tune-up kit" at: http://www.iboats.com/Evinrude_Tune...8276125--**********.705392122--view_id.269583

Coils at: http://www.iboats.com/Evinrude_Igni...8276237--**********.705392122--view_id.269647

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

Sounds like a cylinder cutting out to me too. If you would like to make a quick confirmation, use an inductive timing light to check each cylinder. If you do this on a hose, its easy enough to hold the light. If you prefer to do the check underway, just tape the trigger shut with some electrical tape and lay the gun on the deck, facing you. Be sure to shut the motor down when you change the sensor from one spark plug wire to the other.

I also agree with F_R about reversing the wires. Not a good idea. I'm not sure if the motor would backfire, afterfire or both, but it can't be a good thing to do.

 

[Jon Z]

Re: Slow '69 Evinrude 33

Thanks to all for your advice. I replaced the points, condensers, and coils and now have a fast little 33 with two cylinders firing! Took it out on a 25 F December day just to verify that it was indeed fixed!

Thanks again, this forum is amazing.