'55 Evinrude, 25hp - general questions

[crocket15]

I have a 1955, 25hp Evinrude electric/pull start that runs great when the carb is clean. However, keeping my carb clean is proving difficult with gravel roads leading to the lake and extended downtime between trips - even with a cover. My motor does not have an air cleaner and I cannot find any for sale. Do these motors have air filters? It looks like there are holes to bolt one on.

Also, on a different note, I get a lot of gas leaking out of the carb and into my boat when I pack it up for the day. Even when I release the pressure of the two-line system, gas will still leak out. Any way I can stop this?

Finally, I feel like it will only be a matter of time before I am forced to replace the plug wires. Whoever replaced the coils before got lazy and left weathered wires on that are now cracking, but still work. Is there a trick, or any techniques that will help me when it comes time to getting the flywheel off?

-Dave

 

[lindy46]

Re: '55 Evinrude, 25hp - general questions

I believe that motor had an air silencer on it (not an air cleaner), but that won't do much to keep dust out. If you travel down dusty roads a lot, you may want to stuff a rag in the throat of the carb while traveling. Or put a piece of duct tape over the opening.

If gas is leaking out the throat of the carb, your needle is not closing or your float is not floating - sounds like it's time for a carb cleaning/re-build. Kits are available for about $25.

Get some solid core spark plug wire (copper is best) and replace the old wires. If they are cracking, they will arc and you won't get good spark. You'll need a way to keep the flywheel from turning to remove the nut and the flywheel. You need a harmonic puller to get the flywheel off. Use 3 #8 hardened 1/4x20 bolts on the puller and align it straight with the motor shaft. Leave the flywheel nut loosely on the shaft when pulling the flywheel to keep it from sailing when it comes loose. Tighten the center bolt on the puller down snug, give it a rap with a hammer, tighten it a little more, another rap, etc. until it pops. While in there, change the coils, points and conensers if old and re-set the points to .020 inch.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 Evinrude, 25hp - general questions

I was thinking that a '55 model bigtwin had a sealed cowl on it. I would think that the sealed cowl would keep dust out, but then again, you're seeing dust in there so I guess experience is better than theory. I like the rag or tape idea, too. If you're tilting the motor, fuel is going to run out of the carb. If not, it shouldn't if it's working correctly. There was no air cleaner, but as stated, it did have an air silencer. I would bet you could find one by placing a free want ad on aomci.org's classified ad site.
Good luck,
JBJ