new to outboards

I am new to outboard motors and boating in general, I bought a bass boat with an 81 evinrude 50hp electric start motor on it...took it the lake a couple of times and it ran great...last weekend motor would start and run but would die as soon as it went into gear...after doing quite a bit of searching thru the forum I am compiling a list of things to look at on the motor and it won't die when the ignition switch is turned off

buy manual
rebuild carbs
adjust idle rpm
check compression
replace spark plugs (done)
replace fuel line and primer bulb (done)

after reading several of the threads on the forum this is what I have come up with if anyone has anything else to suggest I am all ears

Re: new to outboards

i would do it in a little different order.
order manual, while waiting, check compression and spark. replace all fuel lines carbs to tank.

when manual comes, do carbs, impeller, and linc n sinc.

here is the correct manual at a great price. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981...20606704428QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature

Re: new to outboards

manual purchased, thanks for the link

do I need to do the impeller the motor "pees" quite hard

Re: new to outboards

If you're still in boating season, I wouldn't rush to replace it as long as you watch it often to ensure good tell tale flow.

However, if you don't know when it was last replaced, it's worth doing as it could fail anytime, leaving you with much bigger problems.

Maybe a winter project?

Re: new to outboards

I know this may seem nuts, but how old is your gas?
Air or fuel filter?
I wouldn't jump to modifying the expensive stuff, before you think about all the little things.

Re: new to outboards

jdangler said:

manual purchased, thanks for the link

do I need to do the impeller the motor "pees" quite hard

Click to expand...

Yes. An impeller needs to be replaced when it is "working great", since the alternative is for it to fail, overheat your motor and blow a gasket, cylinder or both.

Once you know when it was replaced, I tend to give them about 5 years before I replace them again. Others tend to have even shorter schedules for it.

Re: new to outboards

Kit_B said:

I know this may seem nuts, but how old is your gas?
Air or fuel filter?
I wouldn't jump to modifying the expensive stuff, before you think about all the little things.

Click to expand...

I removed the plastic housing that covers the carbs..there is no air filter in there where it seemed like one should be? I don't know if one is required

fuel filter...doesn't seem to be one in line anywhere

fuel pump appears to have been replaced at some point...

gas is new

Re: new to outboards

Ordered manual, rebuilt and cleaned carbs..the float seat needles were almost nonexistant...put carbs back on, motor started so easy it almost scared me, went to the lake...took off to favorite spot...at about half throttle boat died..motor feels "locked" came home and my observations are this:

1. flywheel will not turn
2. top sparkplug slightly wet cylinder coated with carbon
3. bottom sparkplug dry looks burnt cylinder walls clean...

I am at a loss there was water coming through the motor...it was peeing and it really wasn't that hot...I could rest my hand on it after it died

thoughts, ideas? I have 500 in the boat and motor plus some misc parts to get it going can a locked motor be saved without spending serious $?