Help: Bought 1984 Boat With 1972 Evinrude Motor

[Anthonydib29]

So, I am completely new to boating, and it seems I accidentally bought a very old motor. It's a 1972 20HP Evinrude on a 13ft Collins Craft. I did water test this boat before I actually purchased it (for $1600), and while the motor cranked after a few attempts, I'm a little worried about the "long-term." I only plan to have this boat at most 2 years, but I want to make sure I treat it right and maintain or even improve the integrity and condition of the motor for the next individual that gets this boat.

Once the motor started, it ran great at full speed. The issue is that once it idled, it had a tendency to kill. Being that this is my first boat and first motor, I want to ensure I do the right things. I don't have a great mechanical aptitude, but I'm willing to get my hands dirty and try.

That brings me to my questions: Are there any basic, fundamental maintenance jobs that I should do to this motor? I don't have a lot to invest in this, so taking it to a boat mechanic and having "the works" done on it isn't necessarily an option. Again, I want to leave this motor in at least the same if not better condition for the next person. Any advice on upkeep and maintenance would be greatly appreciated.

-Anthony

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

check out the stickies at the tops of the forums for how-to stuff

you can find your motor manual here http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html

keep the oil ratio correct in the fuel, perform annual maintenance, change impeller every few years.

old motors if kept healthy will run near forever.

 

[racerone]

Pull the flywheel.--------Clean the inside of the distributor cap.---Clean the rotor.-------Inspect / grease the anti-reversing spring,--------Note the key on the bottom of the rotor and notch in the crankshaft.

 

[Anthonydib29]

I appreciate the replies, Scott and racerone. Will definitely heed the advice.

 

[racerone]

OOPS, my mistake I missed that it was only the 20 hp model.----Still a good idea to pull the flywheel and inspect points / coils on that 20 hp model.

 

[JarFisch]

Hi There!

I know you're on a new learning curve here, and we've all gotten on the same path to scaling that same hill ~ so Welcome!

2 pieces of advice here.

First; Your best tools for trekking the path ahead are
A): A willingness to read & learn; and
B) A determination to avoid making your own assumptions (about marine engines) without first asking questions for clarification and seasoned advice.

Second: Replace the IMPELLER! ---- I Never begin using a newly-acquired marine motor/engine without first replacing the water pump impeller -- And I don't care WHO tells me it was already done recently/or even yesterday. -- New impellers can run as much as $40 or as little as $10 --- And whatever the cost, they're the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy for preventing deep regrets right off the bat.

Cheers!
charlie

 

[Anthonydib29]

Charlie,

The impeller is in the shopping cart right now! Thanks a bunch!

 

[82rude]

On this site that is a new motor not old!Properly looked after and assuming its in good shape now that motor is going to be around for another 30 years.Along with everything that has been mentioned check the coils ,if not already replaced their most likely due and are not really that expensive.Signs of old coils are heavily faded color,and cracks either indicating the need for replacement.

 

[lindy46]

Try adjusting the slow speed adjustment on the carb until it idles smoothly. Also, there is an idle stop screw on the port side of the engine that may need adjustment. Turn it clockwise to increase the idle speed. If these adjustments don't help, you may need to clean/rebuild the carb. And yes, ALWAYS replace the impeller on an engine with an unknown history. You don't want it overheating. I also would change the gear oil and make sure there is no water getting into the gearcase.

 

[Anthonydib29]

This is great. Thanks very much. A lot of what you all are saying is unfamiliar to me, in terms of parts and the function, but I got my hands on the service manual, so it looks like I have some reading to do. This will be a steep learning process.