Resurrecting an old outboard

[Bass assassin]

Going to fire up our old outboard (1961 Evinrude Fastwin 18hp). Last time it ran was 15 years ago. Seals, wires, plugs were all redone that year and maybe 1hour of run time before it was put away. Carb had been rebuilt and oil changed when everything else was done. I am replacing the plugs, and changing out lower end unit oil. Flywheel turns well and it too was serviced back when. Sparks well with existing plugs. Compression seems good with the ever so accurate "finger in the hole technique

Anything else I should be leary of before firing it up? "

Thanks
BA

[Troutskiii]

I'd just give er...... I got a 59 evinrude Lightwin 3hp and I change the plug and gear oil that's it and she always fires right up.

[scarkner]

15 years sitting with the water pump impeller stationary most likely means the impeller is shot... but you never know! So I guess just make sure it's spitting out lots of water when first started. The flywheel is hopefully not spinning so freely that it would indicate water pump issues

Good luck, I love the smell of an old motor (yeah I know, the environment doesn't like 'em).

[campnfish]

LOL - come across the street, I have a compression tester / gauge you can borrow. If you find out you need to change the impeller (water pump) I can give you a hand too, let me know.

[Bass assassin]

Got er fired up!!! Lower plug was loose in the bore...needs some TLC. Could hear a hiss when I pulled the cord. Gently moved it into position and got a lock on the threads....started right up - second pull!
How hot would the lower unit get after 5 mins of idling usually? It was hot to the touch but not too hot that you couldn't keep your hand on it.
BA

[Kerrazy]

Never run it without water. That can really mess up the lower unit.
They say as little as 30 seconds is all it takes.
Put some water muffs on it and be sure it has water on before starting and that water is streaming out.
Lower unit should not be hot with water flow.

[Bass assassin]

Sorry. I should have clarified. I had it in a barrel of water.

[Bass assassin]

Well - I swapped out the coils, condensers, points, put in a helical for a blown spark plug, rebuilt the carb and cleaned her up. Got ALL of my parts from Dave Scott at AIM Outboards - plus some GREAT advice!! Water tested it in a barrel o Tuesday and rough set the carb. Taking her out on Friday to set the carb at WOT. Sounds great in the water barrel! Wish me luck!
Craig

[ShawnD]

Well - I swapped out the coils, condensers, points, put in a helical for a blown spark plug, rebuilt the carb and cleaned her up. Got ALL of my parts from Dave Scott at AIM Outboards - plus some GREAT advice!! Water tested it in a barrel o Tuesday and rough set the carb. Taking her out on Friday to set the carb at WOT. Sounds great in the water barrel! Wish me luck!
Craig

I had the same engine, couldn't get it to start, they make great heavy anchors LOL

[campnfish]

How'd she run!?

Love the sound and smell of those old outboards.....so many good memories.

++ Dave Scott at AIM. Guy has great advice and can always get parts, not too many shops left like that any more.

Post some pics of the beast too! Those old ones had style!

[Bass assassin]

Well I got her going then something odd happened. When I turned, the motor RPM's revved high then down low then high again and then quit. Weird. After a couple more episodes, I lost spark in the top cylinder. I took it apart again and replaced the coil, and condenser as I knew the plug was still good (checked it on the lower cylinder). Now I can't get a spark in the top still. Thinking I might have fried the plug boot or wire. Going to get an ohm meter to check it out. Motor was certainly not as fast as I remembered! I thought things were supposed to flow down as you got older but not this much LOL

[StarTzar]

I think the old outboard might be ready for the Viking Send-off.

[SeaMonster]

I used to &^$#$@ around with old half running motors... (before having kids) ..but no more... The time I spend on the water with stuff that works the way it supposed to every time is more valuable than the payment. By the time you get the parts and time into getting it working, something else goes... then your're half-way $-wise to something 50 years newer.

[Bass assassin]

Well said SeaMonster! And yes - it is time for a Viking send off StarTzar!!

[TheMaverick]

Still made a good report out of it!
End this one with a Viking toss, and it would make it an amazing report! lo00ol