'55 evinrude 25hp question

[jbjennings]

Anybody have any experience with a 25 evinrude aquasonic. Would you recommend it or is it a model to stay away from? I heard it had an annoying forward lockout mechanism(so you couldn't start it in gear) that made it kind of annoying to start. Are there any other peculiarities that make it not so good besides weight? Is it easy to find parts for? Any info. would be helpful, as I'm considering buying one to use regularly. I searched the posts and saw one that said they never did idle as smoothly as some. I also read that it used 50:1 mixture. Is this so? I've never heard of a 50's motor using this mixture.
Thanks,
JBJennings

 

[sxm_tj]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

lots of engines cant start in forward nor reverse gear, this is a safety, for the rest ik dont know greetz

 

[freddyray21]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

55 models should be 24 to 1 I believe. They didn't go to 50:1 until about 64 I think. Is this the one for sale in St Louis? I made an offer on that one and would be interested in seeing what it brought. As far as not starting in gear I wouldn't worry about it. Lots of motors set up that way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

i've had two 55 15hp aquasonics. best motors i ever had. easy to work on. when tune properly, start 1st 2nd pull. i now have a 58 35 hp. #1 draw back is making sure the clutchdog is not gone in the lower unit. i had to replace the lower on the 35.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

I just finished tuning and running a 1953 Evinrude 25 hp last night. I've previously tuned a 1954, but I haven't tested it yet. I also have a 1956 Johnson Javelin 30 hp to restore. So I'd say they're is nothing wrong with these old girls. The lock out isn't a big deal. Works pretty much like all the rest of them. Mine idles fine, though I will admit I have to keep the RPM's up. Keep in mind that I haven't set the carb, yet. Fuel is 24:1. Also, the wieght is about the same as my 1983 Johnson 25 hp.

 

[F_R]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

Anybody have any experience with a 25 evinrude aquasonic. Would you recommend it or is it a model to stay away from? I heard it had an annoying forward lockout mechanism(so you couldn't start it in gear) that made it kind of annoying to start. Are there any other peculiarities that make it not so good besides weight? Is it easy to find parts for? Any info. would be helpful, as I'm considering buying one to use regularly. I searched the posts and saw one that said they never did idle as smoothly as some. I also read that it used 50:1 mixture. Is this so? I've never heard of a 50's motor using this mixture.
Thanks,
JBJennings

1. The starter lockout has been pretty well discussed. It is a safety mechanism to keep you from being pitched over the transom.

2. Read on

3. Many, but not all parts were used clear up into the 1970's. Stuff is out there if you look for it

4. They idle just fine if in good condition. If you don't want to spend the money and time to make it in good condition, you will get plenty of aggrivation. But that's true of any motor. Or car or anything else.

5. Some people run 50:1. Some freak out at the thought. That issue will never die.

Back to #2. There was a serious fault in the 1955 models. They made a mid-year change to the lower crankshaft main bearing seal, to build it cheaper. The change was a terrible mistake, and motors failed all over the country. The seal was crap and allowed water to get into the main bearing, and from there it was pumped through the entire powerhead by way of the oiling system. Many got replaced while still under warranty. If you want to post the model and serial numbers, I can tell you if this one is involved.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

Thanks fellows...
FR--It is a 55 aquasonic 25hp (you probably already knew that). I'll try to get the serial number today... That seal was just the kind of thing I was worried about. By the way- I am very familiar with the purpose of the safety lock-out. I was told by the owner that you have to move a lever or something each time you pulled the cord to get it to crank and I didn't fully understand him. I thought as long as it was in neutral, you could jerk away. It appears to be in very very good shape and is supposed to run good but those little things about motors I know nothing about can sometime bite me. That seal is interesting.. Hope this one isn't affected but when I give you the serial # I'd be very appreciative if you'd check it for me.

WBeaton--are you an outboard mechanic or just like old OMC's as much as I do?
Is there a website where people like you and me can post pictures of their motors? I love to look at 'em, almost as much as I like to buy 'em and run 'em.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

55 models should be 24 to 1 I believe. They didn't go to 50:1 until about 64 I think. Is this the one for sale in St Louis? I made an offer on that one and would be interested in seeing what it brought. As far as not starting in gear I wouldn't worry about it. Lots of motors set up that way.

Nope, not the one there, it was in Detroit. Boy it looks nice, but you probably know how that is. Hopefully it'll be as good as it looks because I am pretty well hooked on it. If I get it, I'll let you know how much. It will be pretty high with shipping to LA. The Northerner's have all the good motors, they seem to take care of them better--down south, they don't last as long.
JBJ

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

WBeaton--are you an outboard mechanic or just like old OMC's as much as I do?
Is there a website where people like you and me can post pictures of their motors? I love to look at 'em, almost as much as I like to buy 'em and run 'em.

Nope, I'm just a collector/enthusiast like you. I deal a few motors on the side and I do all the maintenance and repairs on our small engines and outboards at work so I've always got something apart on my work bench.

There should be a website for that purpose. I'd love to see some photos of your motors especially that QD-14. I'll PM you my email address.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

I forgot to add that it sounds like the screw that holds the recoil lock-out lever is missing or has been replaced with the wrong screw.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

WBeaton ,
did you get the pics? also, is that screw hard to find if I need a new one?
Thanks,
JBJ

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

F-R,
the serial number is 25018 14766. could ya' check it for me?
Thanks,
JBJ

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

Part number is 0303247. Looks like a special order part. I'm not sure how hard it would be to find. Could also be a weak spring on the lever too.

Got the photos. Nice job.

 

[F_R]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

25018 up to serial number 09500, OK
25018 serial number 09501 and up, bad.

So, it is the el-cheapo seal. UNLESS it happens to be one of the motors that got the powerhead replaced. No way to tell that without pulling the powerhead and looking.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

Thanks, F-R,
I was wondering, is the fact that it still is running good an indication it may have been replaced? If it has the bad seal, does the whole powerhead have to be replaced or can one take the powerhead off and get a new seal. IF so, is the good seal available? I don't mind the work if I can get the part and do it without fancy tools. Or, in your opinion, even though it looks spectacular, should I just do the smart thing and not buy it? It'll cost me 400 to get it home.
Thanks again,
JBJ

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

I wouldn't let a seal stop me from buying it, but I'd change it regardless.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

I'd love to have an engine like that in my collection, but $400 is pretty steep in my opinion.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

I think you're right, but, down south in my area there just aren't any good old johnsons left. Included in the $400 is over $100 dollars in shipping costs. The guy was asking $250 which I think is pretty reasonable. I'm very jealous of the guys up North having access to all those awesome 50's and 60's motors. I wish I could find some that need a little work for cheap but never find any. I do want to add that I really enjoy getting on the forum and learning from you guys about how to work on these things. I've finally got the hang of searching the past threads, too. Also, if you have any pictures of your old motors I'd love to see 'em.
thanks,
JBJ

 

[samo_ott]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

I have a lot of photos of my engines but have no where to post them. I also like seeing other photos. Have you ever gone to this site? old-omc.de All the original flyers are here with good pics of a lot of the old engines.

How far down south are you?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '55 evinrude 25hp question

PM me your email address and I'll send you some pics of my trio and you can email me some of yours, please. I live about 35 miles NW of Shreveport, LA. It's in the very NW corner of LA almost on the border of Texas and Arkansas.... Yeah, I've seen that site. It's really neat but my dial-up is so slow it's hard to look through all of 'em. I did have to drool over the pic of the pair of '57 johnson 35hp's on the back of one of the boats at that site. The 56 and 57 johnson's are some of the prettiest motors to me. I also like the green 53's and 54's and as soon as I can settle my wife down about the last 2 motors I just bought, I'm going to sneak around and snoop out a '53 25 hp. (It may be months and months before I can save up, but I'm persistent!).
thanks,
JBJ