68 evinrude 55hp will not start

[drbryan]

my 68 evinrude 55 has been running perfect all summer,in the spring i replaced the power pack,coil,wires,plugs,rectifier,stator,battery, wires,wire harness, fuel line, filter and rebuilt the lower end. All at a cost I really would rather not admit!just last week cruising at a moderate 35mph(top speed) It shut down, and would not start, I found a bad black and white wire goung under the distrubuter, replaced it still no start,and no fire that I can see. I rebuilt the thing myself and know the engine pretty good, but now I am lost, also there is a spring from the crank shaft(round)I do not know where it fits back on the crank?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 68 evinrude 55hp will not start

Check the point setting on all three lobes. The tightest lobe must be set to .010 . This may have another lobe setting to .012 (something like that) which is fine. You do not want the points set to .010 on one lobe and .007 on another.<br /><br />Check the points (at the plug connection) with an ohm meter to make sure they are opening and closing.<br /><br />Check the powerpack as follows:<br /><br />(Battery Capacitance Dischage Powerpack Test)<br />Various OMC Engines - 1968 to 1972)<br /><br />Purchase a small 12v bulb at your local automotive parts store (the 12v bulb is to look like a flashlight bulb, not a headlight bulb). Solder two wires to that bulb, one to the side of the bulb (ground), and the other to the positive point. <br /><br />Remove the spark plugs. With the key in the on position, make sure that you have 12v going to the pack at the terminal block (purple wire). Now, connect the ground wire from the bulb to any powerhead ground. Connect the wire from the positive point of that bulb to the powerpack wire that is connected to the coil wire on the terminal board (blue wire). <br /><br />Crank the engine and observe that bulb closely (CLOSELY!). If that bulb glows even the slightest bit, the powerpack is okay. It may be a very dim glow... just so it glows! If it doesn't glow, the pack has failed. <br /><br />Keep in mind, that type powerpack (Battery Capacitance Discharge) demands a top notch battery of at least 70 amp hours. Any less will, in time, cause powerpack failure.

 

[drbryan]

Re: 68 evinrude 55hp will not start

Thanks for the tip, The power pack turned out to be ok (thank goodness!). I did find several fuel hose clamps that were worn out so I replaced all the hoses and clamps. After, she started right up and purrs-growels like a kitten, cant wait for the weekend to give her a try! However I still dont know were the anti-reverse spring fits.and also, how do you adjust the timing?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 68 evinrude 55hp will not start

Laying the Anti Reverse Spring on the workbench, you'll notice that if it's upside down, it just doesn't lay flat. Install it so that it's in the reverse position whereas it does lay flat.<br /><br />Look at the timer base. You'll see a small metal bracket that if the Anti Reverse Spring was in that area, and the engine attempted to jump (momentarily run backwards), the coil portion of that spring would contact that metal bracket.<br /><br />Install the spring in that area and lubricate it (spring to crankshaft) with Type "D" lube. Type "D" is a high friction, high pressure type grease which would be available at any reliable auto parts store. Failure to grease that spring will result in the spring's destruction quite quickly.<br /><br />If you're still confused about the spring's location, contact me at my e-mail address (below) and I'll scan a picture of it.

 

[drbryan]

Re: 68 evinrude 55hp will not start

well I can get it running when it is in my driveway, starts without any problems, every time. As soon as I put it in the lake, It will not start, at all! I get back home, starts right up! I thing this motor is possesed and I should just sink the **** thing. Maybee it will be good stucture for me to cath bass in my new boat!