1964 5.5hp Evinrude Fisherman not running properly

Hello,

I was hoping for some direction in identifying the problems with my motor that started the other day.

My motor is newly rebuilt, and working (at least the first 4 or 5 trips this year), however I had it out the other day and it lost what seems to be it's top gear. I was going along and needed to slow to go around some debris, and when I gave it throttle again it would not go any faster then what I had throttled down to.

I've played with it a little more since then, but haven't been able to indentify the problem. The plugs look good, etc. (surface checks). When I am in neutral the motor seems to operate normally, it's when it goes in gear that the motor doesnt' work right.

I'm thinking this is probably a fairly common problem and I just am not searching for it correctly, but I haven't been able to locate any help information on this problem. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Paul

Re: 1964 5.5hp Evinrude Fisherman not running properly

Have you checked spark or anything to confirm that both cylinders are running. These outboards will idle well on one cylinder but you will lose top speed if you lose a cylinder. The quick test is to start the motor and idle it. Then with some insulated plyers remove one spark plug boot at a time. If it keeps running when either plug is removed then both cylinders are firing. If it dies when one plug is pulled then the other cylinder was probably never running. It's a quick test.

Re: 1964 5.5hp Evinrude Fisherman not running properly

OptsyEagle said:

Have you checked spark or anything to confirm that both cylinders are running. These outboards will idle well on one cylinder but you will lose top speed if you lose a cylinder. The quick test is to start the motor and idle it. Then with some insulated plyers remove one spark plug boot at a time. If it keeps running when either plug is removed then both cylinders are firing. If it dies when one plug is pulled then the other cylinder was probably never running. It's a quick test.

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That's OptsyEagle - I will test this on my lunch break today - I had looked at the plugs earlier and they seemed fine, but I hadn't tested it like this. I will keep you posted, much appreciated!

Cheers

Re: 1964 5.5hp Evinrude Fisherman not running properly

Did you hit some of that debris? Possibly a shear pin or spun prop hub.

Re: 1964 5.5hp Evinrude Fisherman not running properly

lindy46 said:

Did you hit some of that debris? Possibly a shear pin or spun prop hub.

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No, I managed to get around it without hitting it - I know the river well so I always slow before approaching it, which of course is when it wouldn't throttle back up. I did check the pin and prop just in case and it's all working (thought possibly I had wrapped something around the prop).

Thanks!