1976-77 55hp evinrude adjustments

[evinrude55]

Ok here is the deal. My boat has ran fine for a long time. One day on the lake it was giving me trouble starting. It ended up being a fuel leak due to no clamp. Although before realizing that I messed with some things and can do anything to get it back to par.
Motor wont run. it attempts to start. If it does start its not for more than five seconds and it only starts when I advance the screw on the Cam on #2 in the picture. revs way too high.

I have attached a picture with numbers so I can explain what i did and didnt touch.

From picture

#1 I messed with both these knobs. is there a factory or easy way to get these to where they need to be?

#2 I loosened the screw that allows me to move the cam. Advancing this is the only way I can start the motor and it revs like crazy but eventually dies.

#3 i spun this around and dont know where i started from.....advancing this can also get the motor to run.

#4 I did not touch this screw at all.

Other things I have done today.

I did mess with the idle screw on the front of the carbs. Although I have set them back to 1-1/8th since then

I removed cleaned and changed oil in my Lower unit. I just screwed the gear rod all the way down. I didnt think to count the turns that it took to remove it..is this wrong?

I removed the fuel filter/pump and checked for debris...Air blows in and out of the tube that goes to the carbs. (if that matters)

I am pretty good with motors although this boat motor has me baffled. I have noticed that before all these problems I would NEVER ever have to pump the fuel bulb...ever...now i pump it, it gets hard but after some time is not extremely hard. its hard but I can squeeze it some if that makes sense.


Please send input, I would like a base of how to get all the numbers except #4 back to where they were correct.


Side notes...gas is about a week or two old.......spark plugs are clean....carbs were spotless when checked a week ago...

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 1976-77 55hp evinrude adjustments

You need to get a manual then follow the procedures for doing a link & sync.

 

[evinrude55]

Re: 1976-77 55hp evinrude adjustments

You need to get a manual then follow the procedures for doing a link & sync.

I have a manual read whole thing there is nothing about linking and syncing in the 637 pages i browsed today

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1976-77 55hp evinrude adjustments

I don't know what manual you have but the factory service manual lists everything one needs to know.

Set #1 as follows:
(Centering Shift Cable)
(J. Reeves)

When all is as it should be, the proper method to adjust the shift cable is to disconnect the cable from the engine. Move the shift linkage on the engine to find the center of the play in neutral, and when found, leave it centered.

Now, grab the end of the shift cable sleeve, push and pull it to find the center of the play there, and center that play.

Adjust the trunion on the threaded portion of the shift cable so that the centered play of the cable lines up with the centered play of the engine's shift linkage. Install and lock the shift cable with the retaining clamp in that position. That's it.

The throttle cable can be temporarily adjusted just so the idle screw (4) touches the block when all else is as it should be.

**************
Set #2 as follows:
Set the throller cam roller so that the butterflies just start to open when the center of the roller is dead center, just starts to touch with the scribe mark on the cam.

Set #3 as follows:
The nylon knob must be set so that the engine is running at 3 degrees (+/- 1 degree) when the cam scribe mark is centered with the throttle cam roller.

*********
Carburetor needle valves:

(Carburetor Adjustment - Single S/S Adjustable Needle Valve)
(J. Reeves)

Initial setting is: Slow speed = seat gently, then open 1-1/2 turns.

Start engine and set the rpms to where it just stays running. In segments of 1/8 turns, start to turn the S/S needle valve in. Wait a few seconds for the engine to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running.

Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

Note 1: As a final double check setting of the slow speed valve(s), if the engine has more than one carburetor, do not attempt to gradually adjust all of the valves/carburetors at the same time. Do one at a time until you hit the above response (die out or spit back), then go on to the next valve/carburetor. It may be necessary to back out "all" of the slow speed adjustable needle valves 1/8 turn before doing this final adjustment due to the fact that one of the valves might be initially set ever so slightly lean.

Note 2: If the engine should be a three (3) cylinder engine with three (3) carburetors, start the adjustment sequence with the center carburetor.

When you have finished the above adjustment, you will have no reason to move them again unless the carburetor fouls/gums up from sitting, in which case you would be required to remove, clean, and rebuild the carburetor anyway.

************
Lower unit shift rod:
The length of the shift rod is critical! It must be measured in NEUTRAL from the top surface of the lower unit to the center of the shift rod hole, as follows:
1975 - 1978 - 55hp Electric Start = (S) 15-29/32" - - (L) 20-29/32" plus/minus 1/32" Have shift rod in neutral.

**************
I strongly suggest that you obtain a factory Service Manual for that engine so as not to tinker with it that could lead into expensive component replacements.

 

[dazk14]

Re: 1976-77 55hp evinrude adjustments

Joe is a Saint to provide all that info.

A Factory service is more in the order of a few hundred pages, not close to 700.

Looking briefly, there is a 1977 55hp Factory service manual on ebay now for $30 delivered. You didn't specify your exact year.

1977 Evinrude Service Manual 55 HP 55772 55773 55742 55743 Models | eBay

Here's a brand new 1976 Factory manual for $24 delivered

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Evinru...anuals_Literature&hash=item27da979307&vxp=mtr

 

[evinrude55]

Re: 1976-77 55hp evinrude adjustments

Thanks for the response. So by me just screwing in the shift rod its probably not correct....I guess I will be taking it back apart.
Now as far as the #3 nylon knob....this seems like I need some advanced equipement..IE timing light?


Set #3 as follows:
The nylon knob must be set so that the engine is running at 3 degrees (+/- 1 degree) when the cam scribe mark is centered with the throttle cam roller.


************
Lower unit shift rod:
The length of the shift rod is critical! It must be measured in NEUTRAL from the top surface of the lower unit to the center of the shift rod hole, as follows:
1975 - 1978 - 55hp Electric Start = (S) 15-29/32" - - (L) 20-29/32" plus/minus 1/32" Have shift rod in neutral.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1976-77 55hp evinrude adjustments

Yes, you'll need a timing light.

The lower unit shift rod measurement must be exact... a turn or two out of adjustment/measurement will result in shift problems.

Next time.... Always take pictures and make notes before taking anything apart. We think we'll remember how something was but it just doesn't work that way.

What is the model number of that engine?