1967 Evinrude 60hp 2 Dead Cylinders

I have a 67 60hp 4 cylinder that I cant get to run right. It seems to be running with about 15-20hp with 2 dead cylinders. I have read posts and have done a few things as far as testing. The compression is 95 on all 4 cylinders, carbs and fuel pump/filter are clean, new plugs, good coil/distributor spark is good(seems to be with a good 1/4in arc). The boat has been sitting outside for over 10 years. I pulled the carbs apart and the were surprisingly clean, not gummed up at all. I had to replace a few rotted wires to the coils and ground. The engine fired right up within 3 seconds when I first cranked it. It ran great without a load. The first time I took it out it barely ran at all and kept stalling. The second time it ran perfect except with no power. This last time I took it out it ran way worse than before. I sprayed starting fluid on the side of the carbs leading to the dead cylinders and there is no change whatsoever. When I spray in the other side it wants to die. There is no change when I pull the plug wires off the 2 dead cylinders. So my question is if it has good compression, fuel and spark what else can it be? Could the reeds be bad? That is pretty much the only thing I have not looked at yet.


Thank you, Eddie

Re: 1967 Evinrude 60hp 2 Dead Cylinders

NEVER spray anything into a 2 stroke carb other than pre mixed fuel/oil!!!!!!!!!!!!
99% you have some dead coils.

Re: 1967 Evinrude 60hp 2 Dead Cylinders

That engine has two (2) sets of points. One set fires one bank, the other set fires the opposite bank.

You have either not connected the wire that leads from one set of points to the other, OR that wire has broken or shorted out, OR one set of points is dirty or set wrong.

The points should be set on the high lobe so that a .020 gauge will pass thru but a .022 will not.

Re: 1967 Evinrude 60hp 2 Dead Cylinders

I'd say the points, coil, and rotor are probably OK, if you indeed have a 1/4" spark on all cylinders.

How about it--plug wires on wrong plugs?? Water getting in those cylinders?

I suppose it is a possible reeds problem, but that would be rare, especially on two cylinders at once. Unless some critter got down in there and built a home.

Re: 1967 Evinrude 60hp 2 Dead Cylinders

I now understand that it is bad to spray anything in the carbs except premix. But with that being done shouldn't it have made some difference in running? Under the distributor cap is clean, all the wires are connected and the points are functioning well. Though I need to check the settings with a feeler gauge. The 2 power and ground wires running to the coil had to be replaced. I replaced them with the same size and length of wire 1 at a time. So I think I am safe to assume my coil is good due to if firing great on #1 and #2 cylinders. Verified spark plug wires again and again. I will check the point clearance now.
Any other ideas will be appreciated

Thanks, Eddie

Re: 1967 Evinrude 60hp 2 Dead Cylinders

I checked the points and they are set right. I swapped the plug wires from 1 bank to the other and problem remains. I went down to the parts store to get seals for my leaking lower unit and found that I cant get many of the needed parts. I think I have reached my limit with this engine. Not being able to fix this problem on top of not being able to easily get parts makes me not want to mess with it anymore. Its time to part it out and sell on Ebay or something. I appreciate your help anyways.

Thank you, Eddie