1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

[matchbx]

Hi all, I recently picked up a 1957 Evinrude 3hp (model 3022) for about 50 dollars. I'm using the motor on a small 12 1/2 foot fiberglass boat (weighs about 100lbs). I cleaned out the gas tank, replaced the plugs, cleaned the fuel filter and blew out the fuel line. I also noticed that someone didn't put the low speed carb adjustment back on correctly. When it was at the hard stop it was still open (at least one full turn). So I removed the nob, closed it and put the knob back on so the hard stop means it's closed. Prior to this, it would not run at the slow speed.

Now the issues. When using the motor at home, in a trash can full of water, the motor runs and seems to run well, but both carb adjustments are completely closed. In slow speed, if I open the slow carb adjustment, it sputters and tries to die. The same thing happens with high speed.

As expected if you close the fuel valve the motor will, after 30 seconds or so, shutoff.

Now at the lake it's a different story. I must make the proper carb adjustments in order for the motor to run. If I attempt to close them the motor will sputter and start to die. Also at the lake while at full throttle, if I rock the boat back and forth (not hard just adjusting myself in my seat), the motor will sputter start to die. It also seems to struggle at times (turning, riding over small waves, rocking a little back and forth). Lastly, at the end of my trip, I closed the fuel line and the motor didn't shut off. I ran it for several minutes and it didn't die. It also leaks fuel if you lay it on it's back or side.

I haven't done a compression check yet, but I plan one very soon.

I have read through a couple posts in the secret file, but since I know very little about small engines I didn't know quite where to look.

Any suggestions, thanks.
matchbx

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

HI matchbx. Welcome to iboats. It sounds like you definitely have some fuel delivery issues. Proabaly the best/easiest thing to do would be to clean and rebuild the carb. It's not a hard job and a new carb kit only costs about $20. In fact, you can get the kit right here at iboats. If you've never rebuilt a carb, no need to worry. It essentially just entails replacing a couple gaskets in the carb. There are tons of links and threads that can walk you through the procedure. Here's a link that can help you to set the hi/lo needles on your carb too. It's not unusual to have the motor run differently in a tank vs. the ope\n water. The main reason is that on the water you have an entire lake offering back pressure to the exhaust, whereas a tanks offers very little water pressure and resistance to the engine exhaust. Try the carg settings in the link first, if that doesn't work, then try rebuilding the carb. Try to work on one problem at a times so you an systematically work your way through the engine. Ask questions if you get stuck, Keep us posted. You've got a great little motor there. Well worth the effort. With a little TLC she'll run for another 50+ years.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/index1.htm

 

[matchbx]

Re: 1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

Thanks for the feedback. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[matchbx]

Re: 1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

Ok, I finished rebuilding the carburetor a couple of weeks ago, it very much needed it. Almost all of the plastic/paint was gone from the float valve. Once it was allowed to dry out, it easily broke into several pieces. While taking it apart I noticed that none of the carburetor screws were very tight. I took almost no effort to break over the screws. So I would guess that it was sucking air and causing issues with the fuel delivery.

It's running a lot better. Got it out to the lake the last two weekends and both times it cranked very easily and for the most part it ran very well.

One thing I've noticed is that at full throttle it's got a pretty good vibration going on (it stops for the most part if you scale it back to 3/4 full). To give you an idea, if (at full throttle) you steer the motor to the left the handle will touch side motor cover and noise level almost doubles. I managed to get my hands on a compression checker.

Bottom Cylinder reads 55-60 psi
Top Cylinder reads 60-65 psi

From everything I read, I'd call the compression good to go.

Could the ignition coils have anything to do with the vibration?
Would it pay me to go ahead and replace them?
Or is this a common issue with this motor?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
matchbx

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

Your coils might be ok, however those things are notorious for having bad (cracked) coils unless somebody has already replaced them. If they are cracked, you are wasting your time till you replace them.

It probably is not an issue with the vibration though. That probably is something else. Maybe a bent prop or a bent flywheel???

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

The compression numbers are a tad low but still adequate.

The coils would not make the engine vibrate.

Not sure why it would vibrate but it could be loose/worn engine mounts.

I have the parts manual for the 3022. If you want it, PM me your email address and model#.

 

[matchbx]

Re: 1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the coils and more than likely go ahead and replace them. I only paid 50 for the motor and i've got a total of 90 in it now, add 40 for both coils and I'm still under 150.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1957 Evinrude 3hp - minor issues (I think)

good call. with new coils, it'll run another 54 years and you still be in it for less than an iota of what a new 3 hp, four stroke would be. saw a new 3 hp Merc the other day on sale for a mere $995!!!!! something tells me it won't be running 50 years from now either.