evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

[rileychad]

I just purchased a 1974 evinrude 50 hp sizzler and I paid 240 for it and I don't know if it runs the owner said he only got the motor from a pontune boat he bought for the sole purpose of converting it to a floating dock for his small lake he said the owners he bought the boat from said it ran but I have no hook ups to it other than the gas
it has good compression and spark and I smell it getting gas
my question is was it a good deal and also could I try to start it without the control box (thing with choke and ignition)
it has manual choke and a new looking starter and coil but when I cross it out with the coil it seems to lack power I even hooked up a good battery to it and tried to jump it the battery may not have had a full charge so im charging it now
im very new to boats I know very very little im just getting into this ive had a small 6 hp motor for a long time and know how to use it and it works great but ive never had a boat or motor this big
it will be going on a 1967 sears 14ft runabout boat
thanks all help would be helpful
cr

 

[rileychad]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

here it is
thanks
cr

 

[ronward]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

I have a '74 50 hp Johnson which is basically the same motor. I am by no means an expert but from the help I've gotten here for my motor I think I can help you. FIRST...the compression has to be checked with a compression test gauge. You can rent one from auto zone for $40. There is no other way to accurately confirm "good compression." My motor has 140 lbs on both cylinders. Anything below that is still good until you get down around 100, then you're probably losing HP because of the wear on the motor. And the numbers should be close to each other, no more than 10% apart is the rule. Then you have to check for spark. You might get lucky or you might need to buy electrical parts just to start it.

You can start it without controls but the only way to kill it is to choke it or unhook the gas and let it run out. I'm sure you know to have water to it whether muffs or a barrel. If it's not pumping water don't let it run too long because you need a new impeller. I realize you're just trying to see if it'll run at this point. you'll have more questions later.

As for price, I paid $50 for mine. Not running, no compression check. Basically I took a chance and got lucky. I think you probably overpaid for a motor that you know nothing about.

With that said, you may as well go ahead with it since you've already put that much in it. Most likely you'll need two coils ($70) , two spark plugs ($8-10), two carb kits ($40), water pump impeller ($30), possibly the whole pump kit including housing ($80), possibly a power pack ($110), controls with a good harness and shift/throttle cables (might get lucky on ebay or craigslist, probably at least $100), new fuel lines ($10), new battery cables ($20). I would guess at some point you'll want a different prop because if that was on a pontoon it's most likely not even close to right for your boat.

Post back with compression numbers before you put another dime into it. Good luck

 

[rileychad]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

do you think I could find a control box with the choke and ignition separate because that's what I would like to have
also it has great spark
would the prop be the thing that it attaches to the boat with if so then I belive it will work out I already have it on the boat with a 55 gallon drum under it
thanks
cr

 

[ronward]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

Prop is short for propeller, the 3-blade wheel at the bottom of the motor. They are not all created equal. The one you have may or may not work for your boat. You will need a tachometer to determine what RPM you are running at wide open throttle. Every engine has a recommended operating range. When you get that far, there is a lot of info and help in the prop section of this forum.

As far as the choke, some are made into the ignition switch (push key to choke) and some are on a separate toggle switch (momentary on/off). No matter the case, you can simply buy a momentary on/off toggle switch and route the purple wire (inside control box) to wherever you want the choke switch.

For that motor you need to get the old style control box and cables. I "think" they are the 400 style. Start another thread and ask that question because I'm not exactly sure. The cable ends are different and don't interchange. I could post some pics of what kind you need if that'll help.

BTW, glad you got spark. Check compression with a gauge just to be sure you're not throwing away time and money. And it's always cheap insurance to replace the water pump impeller on a used, new to you motor.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

Trying a quick search for that engine because I'm uncertain if that was still the hydro-electric shift lower unit or the mechanical shift. BRP site is confusing because it shows the oil pump in the lower unit yet show the mechanical control box.

Either way I believe you need to detemine this before you go looking for controls. Other than that they are pretty good engines, simple to work with.

You can buy a compression gage at any auto parts store for less than $20.00, got mine at Auto Zone.

 

[ronward]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

Trying a quick search for that engine because I'm uncertain if that was still the hydro-electric shift lower unit or the mechanical shift. BRP site is confusing because it shows the oil pump in the lower unit yet show the mechanical control box.

Either way I believe you need to detemine this before you go looking for controls. Other than that they are pretty good engines, simple to work with.

You can buy a compression gage at any auto parts store for less than $20.00, got mine at Auto Zone.

Mine is mechanical shift

 

[racerone]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

1972 was the last year for electric shift production on outboard motors !----For a couple of years after that they used oil pressure and a shift servo ( mechanical ) to aid in shifting smoothly.----The control boxes on some motors say " powershift II " and some folks will assume that it is electric shift.-------Any OMC control box with the big red plug works on that 1974 model.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

1972 was the last year for electric shift production on outboard motors !

Thought so too, or 1973.

Take a look at shopevinrude in the gearcase section. Is the diagram wrong? Why do they show an oil pump in the lower unit of the 1974?

 

[racerone]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

The oil pump is also used in the hydro-mechanical shift !-------The last year for electric shift was 1972.---This info is posted based on 40 + years of experience !----Do they show electric solenoids in the 73 / 74 models ?----------Do they show a mechanical shift rod in the 73 / 74 models ?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

The oil pump is also used in the hydro-mechanical shift !-------The last year for electric shift was 1972.---This info is posted based on 40 + years of experience !----Do they show electric solenoids in the 73 / 74 models ?----------Do they show a mechanical shift rod in the 73 / 74 models ?

Not doubting you._ _ _ _ _How to differentiate then between the 3 ?_ _ _ _ _The 1975 is machanical, w/o the pump, no? , and uses the clutch dog.

 

[racerone]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

Experience counts here.----Oil pump with solenoids is electric shift.-----Oil pump with shift rod and servo is hydro-mechanical.-----No oil pump is straight mechanical.-----1972 was the last year for electric shift !

 

[bonz_d]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

Experience counts here.----Oil pump with solenoids is electric shift.-----Oil pump with shift rod and servo is hydro-mechanical.-----No oil pump is straight mechanical.-----1972 was the last year for electric shift !

Still didn't answer my question about telling the difference between 1974 and 1975 models.----------- One used a Pump the other does not it uses the old clutch dog system.

 

[racerone]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

One last post on this.----The hydro-mechanical shifts to forward with a DOWN motion of the shift rod.---------The mechanical shifts to forward with an UP motion of the shift rod.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

One last post on this.----The hydro-mechanical shifts to forward with a DOWN motion of the shift rod.---------The mechanical shifts to forward with an UP motion of the shift rod.

Thank you!_ _ _ _Now how you you tell them apart by just looking?

 

[racerone]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

The newer ones are smaller I suppose.-Is that your final answer you need ?

 

[rileychad]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

that would help a bunch mate
thanks
cr

 

[bonz_d]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

The newer ones are smaller I suppose.-Is that your final answer you need ?

Just calling upon your experience. So do the hydro shift and the newer mechanical shift use the same control unit? Even though they shift in different directions? I know the electric uses a push button.

BRP shows the same control unit I do believe. As the OP didn't get a control with this engine just want to assure he gets the correct one.

 

[racerone]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

The change in direction is done on the engine.--------All control boxes with the red plug work !!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: evinrude 50 hp sizzler 1974

The change in direction is done on the engine.--------All control boxes with the red plug work !!

thanks, see now I've learned something new too. To this point I have no experience with either the Electric or Hydro shifts other than to know they exsist and are different.