starting an outboard on a stand

[Andy in NY]

First of all, this is my first boat. I have never heard it run. When I first bought it the owner said that he had it in the water and all the sudden it wouldnt go. The enging was running, but no thrust. He had picked up a spare motor and was going to swap out the lower unit, but started unbolting it and snapped a bolt and didn't want to go any further. With the help of everyone here it was decided that it *probably* was a spun hub, so I brought the prop to a prop shop and sure enough the hub was bad.

As of now, the motor is off the boat on a stand. I have a book to help me remove the lower unit to get the broken bolt drilled out and fixed. Once I do that, I would like to fire it up on the stand - if I want to put it back on the boat it requires opening the barn and pulling it out because there is not enough room to fit it with the motor on.

What is the proper procedure for starting it on a stand? Remember I am very new to this...

I appriciate any help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

if you are speaking of the 50hp evinrude, you need a water source, (hose) and a set of Muffs, the stand has to be substantial, as there will be a lot of torque. connect the electrical and start it up. do not rev it above 1500 rpms, above this can cause damage.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

if you are speaking of the 50hp evinrude, you need a water source, (hose) and a set of Muffs, the stand has to be substantial, as there will be a lot of torque. connect the electrical and start it up. do not rev it above 1500 rpms, above this can cause damage.

Yes, it is the 50HP evinrude. I have muffs and a watersource. What I want to do is be able to start it on the stand away from the boat. Is that possible? I want to get it fired up soon, but unfortunatly here in upstate NY we have about a foot of snow on the ground outside the barn and really isnt feasable to pull the boat out far enough to hook it up to all the wiring and controld of the boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

The engine will run on a stand. But as was just explained, the stand should be sturdy and you need to have water running through the engine (that's what the muffs are for). You can run an engine anywhere as long as it has cooling water. when you have the lower unit off, install a new water pump impeller. You'll never have a better chance and there's no telling if it's ever been replaced. That is a critical item in the cooling system.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

The engine will run on a stand. But as was just explained, the stand should be sturdy and you need to have water running through the engine (that's what the muffs are for). You can run an engine anywhere as long as it has cooling water. when you have the lower unit off, install a new water pump impeller. You'll never have a better chance and there's no telling if it's ever been replaced. That is a critical item in the cooling system.

The stand is VERY sturdy. It is one that I built using plans that someone on this forum posted at some point.


So, to run it off a stand, what do I do for ignition and battert power? Fuel is not an issue as I can just remove the tank from the boat and set it on the ground next to it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

you can use a battery and jumper cables. just understand inorder to stop the motor, you are going to have to choke it and flood it , or pull the spark plug wires. black to neg post on battery, and grounded to the engine block. red to pos post on battery, and touch the big bolt where the red cable connects, the starter is going to turn the motor over, be careful not to get the starter to hot.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

Running an outboard without a battery connected to it will likely pop the regulator/rectifier. The engine has a magneto ignition system so no battery is required except for starting. Connect the battery as shown using jumper cables but the standard cables are generally long enough to reach the ground. Use a piece of wire or make a simple jump start switch to energize the soleniod. Then carry this little tool with you on the boat if the ignition switch ever takes a dump.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

you can use a battery and jumper cables. just understand inorder to stop the motor, you are going to have to choke it and flood it , or pull the spark plug wires. black to neg post on battery, and grounded to the engine block. red to pos post on battery, and touch the big bolt where the red cable connects, the starter is going to turn the motor over, be careful not to get the starter to hot.

Running an outboard without a battery connected to it will likely pop the regulator/rectifier. The engine has a magneto ignition system so no battery is required except for starting. Connect the battery as shown using jumper cables but the standard cables are generally long enough to reach the ground. Use a piece of wire or make a simple jump start switch to energize the soleniod. Then carry this little tool with you on the boat if the ignition switch ever takes a dump.

Well, seeing as how I am a beginner, maybe I should just wait till I can put it back on the boat when the snow is gone...

But thanks for the help guys!

 

[Nandy]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

That was going to be my advise. Wait until you have the motor back on the transom. The process described above by some of the members is very simple but if you have never done something like that it might be a bit intimidating. Besides, if you run it on muff you will have to mildly winterize it again... The best advice I can give you is just to wait.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

This is not rocket science. You will have to do exactly the same thing when you install it on the boat. The only difference is the ignition switch gets connected automatically when you mate the control harness in the boat to the engine harness. You will not have to winterize the engine after running it as long as the unit is vertical. They are self draining. Run it now so when the time does come to install you at least know it runs and won't have to pull it again. It's a heck of a lot easier to work on the engine on a stand than on the boat.

 

[Nandy]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

You will not have to winterize the engine after running it as long as the unit is vertical.

That is true if you dont empty your carbs and don't fog your motor, which is not much, but is part of the winterizing process for some folks...

 

[reelfishin]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

I run mine mostly until December and they only sit for a few months, often no more than if I just didn't get time during the regular boating season anyhow, so I never bother fogging the cylinders or draining the carbs here. I do like to run mine anytime we get a warm day or two in the winter. I also pull my motors and store them indoors.

If your going to be storing your boat with the motor off every year, you might as well get used to being able to test run it on a stand. You can either run it on muffs and a hose or get a large trash can or barrel and fill it with water, just don't let the motor sit in the water for a long time once it's been run, the oil is said to maybe damage the water pump impeller.

These motors will start with fuel and power to crank, most will start with a rope too. (Some 50 hp motors came with a recoil too, both my 50 and two 55hp motors have a recoil option as well as electric start).

Hook up the fuel line and give it a pull, you won't have the electric choke so you may have to choke it manually. You should have a battery connected for the charging system, you can like mentioned about damage the rectifier bridge. All of mine start real easy, even my larger motors will start easily if I do the rope on the flywheel deal.

I like having the motor in a barrel or tank since it gives the motor the same back pressure as being in the water on the boat, thus I can make any adjustments and they will be accurate when actually out in the water. Sometimes the idle will be high or the mixture can seem too rich when only running on the muffs since there is no exhaust back pressure and no water resistance on the prop if running in gear. You should never run any outboard wide open on a stand, especially when on muffs, without the back pressure that water creates, the motor will often easily over rev.

Also pay attention to temperture, don't let it get too hot. Make sure if using a hose and muffs that the water is on all the way, and that the muffs are centered over the intake grates. Look for the tell tale stream, although it's often a bit weaker on muffs than when submerged.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

Nandy -- this is nearly March. Winterizing is not necessary if an engine sits for less than three months.

 

[Nandy]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

Nandy -- this is nearly March. Winterizing is not necessary if an engine sits for less than three months.

ok, I just thought since up there is very cold, like for the next 10 days is under freezings temps there... Anyway, im done with this one.

 

[Lakester]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

What I want to do is be able to start it on the stand away from the boat. Is that possible?

hello,

if it was my engine... and i wanted to run it on a stand... in my barn... i would make an attachment bracket of some sort and bolt it securely so as to ensure the stand's stability and regidity. such as to an upright or something similar. a simple double set of 2x4s made into sides and a back attached to stand in the front and the upright barn structure in the back ought to do the job. if in doubt use 2 x 6's. my bet is it would be quite stable.

or make it bolt to an ag equip such as to back of tractor or front.

send us a pix if u set something up.

good luck

regards
lakester

 

[rernst]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

What year is the engine? Does it have a recoil start?

Almost any engine with a recoil or even rope start will start and run without a battery at all since the ignition is magneto and self energizing. With no other electrics connected, it should start and run fine. But you will have to choke it to shut it down. So find the choke and how to manually choke/release the carb before you try to start it.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: starting an outboard on a stand

I've got a 1990 50hp here that has only an electric choke but also has a recoil start, the choke will only work with the controller. The motor however will start on the first pull by the recoil. I test run it all the time with no problems. The choke lever hole came plugged with a filler plug, I've considered finding a choke lever off of a full manual motor but never needed it. In really cold weather if it's on the stand, I just hand choke it with the cover off or cover half the air intake with my hand, it starts super easy, so its never been a problem.