Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

[Rudes]

Hey Guys,
I just finished rebuilding my fathers 1957 5.5 fisherman. It had not been used in years. I put new ignition parts, re-built the carb and new impeller. I also rebuilt the gas tank. When I started the motor it ran very rough and was smoking a lot. Also I can not get it to idle low. Could it be I used too much 2 cycle oil? I was afraid to put too little and used about 5.5oz/gallon gas.

 

[F_R]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

Tell me you adjusted the carburetor.

Are you running it in a barrel? That will do it too.

EDIT: That motor shipped from the factory with a 4 gallon tank. It was supposed to get a quart of oil per 4 gallons of gas. That's 8 oz per gallon, or 16:1. It is supposed to smoke!!!!

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

Sounds like you need to adjust the needle valves a bit. The top needle is the low speed and should be opened (counterclockwise) about 1 1/2 turns. The bottom needle is the high speed and should be open (counterclockwise)about 3/4 turn. These settings are merely a starting point and you will need to fine tune it (after it's running). The best way to do this is on the boat. Every motor has it's own sweet spot and running in a barrel won't show you that very well.

 

[Rudes]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

I'm running the motor in a barrel. The adjustment needles seem to have little effect. I know years ago I was able to get it to idle in the barrel. It seems like the motor may be running too rich. When I rebuilt the Carb I did NOT change the float. Maybe it's that?

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

Chances are good that the (old) float is saturated and sinking a bit. Common with cork floats. A new float and float valve (with seat) will help. Be sure the fuel passageway (under the float valve) is clear.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

If the needle valves don't do much you did not clean the carb well enough. Did you put a carb kit in it? Use carb cleaner? Spray down all the little ports? Blow out all the passages with compressed air? Did you remove the welch plug at the top to clean the idle ports inside? Use new packing nuts on the needles? It all needs to be done for a good running carb/engine. That 'lil 5.5 should purr like a sewing machine. I have a running '56 and a running '58... No '57's though...

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

make sure these two ports are completely clean

here

and here

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

those are your venturis and if either of them are dirty even a little bit itll run like crap

 

[Rudes]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

If the needle valves don't do much you did not clean the carb well enough. Did you put a carb kit in it? Use carb cleaner? Spray down all the little ports? Blow out all the passages with compressed air? Did you remove the welch plug at the top to clean the idle ports inside? Use new packing nuts on the needles? It all needs to be done for a good running carb/engine. That 'lil 5.5 should purr like a sewing machine. I have a running '56 and a running '58... No '57's though...

Yes did all of the above. The carb was clean as a whistle. I'll install a new float and see if it runs better.

 

[Rudes]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

those are your venturis and if either of them are dirty even a little bit itll run like crap

Thanks, I'll check those!

 

[F_R]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

You suggest it may be running too rich. That is what the adjustments are for. If you screw them in (clockwise) they should lean it out. Go far enough and it should quit running. You can only get them somewhere close in the barrel. It was designed to run on a boat, not in a barrel. And they will smoke a lot in the barrel.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

yep that they do ... i have a '56 same thing and thats what those pics are from

 

[Rudes]

Re: Evinrude 5.5 Running Rough & Smokey

Thanks to all that replied. It turned out to be an easy fix. The high speed knob has stop tabs on it and when I turned it clockwise until it stopped I assumed that the needle was seated. Not the case and that's what was causing the rich problem! The motor runs great now. Just need to figure out how to stop connector fuel leak...already replaced O rings.