Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE P.2 SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sader762]

I recently purchased a 14' Jon with Trailer and a 1962 5.5 Fisherman. Guy said it was working but stopped about 2 months ago when he was on the lake. Maybe true, maybe not. Motor looks to be in good shape though.

I ordered parts from Iboats to do a complete minor overhaul of the engine. New plugs, plug wires, carb rebuild kit, all electronics (points, condensor, and coil), new impeller, new fuel lines, new gas and oil, and new lower oil.

I cannot get it to even sputter. It looks like I have spark at the sparkplug and gas is going to the carb. I have tried all sorts of carb adjustments. I've switched the plug wires even though I know they are on correct.

I'm at a loss. I can work on engines, I've done it before. But this little 5.5 horse thing is messing with my mind. I know this thing will work I just don't have a clue as to what I need to do next.

Please, for my sanity, help me out.......

 

[bthompson]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Did you try a shot of mixed gas right in the plug hole? If no fire there, then it has to be spark or timing of the spark. I work on chainsaws mostly and if I have good spark, squirt a shot of gas in the plug hole, then get no fire, I tend to have a sheared flywheel key and it is out of time. Don't know if this information will help, but if you can't get it to fire with fuel in the plug hole, then it isn't on the fuel side. Good luck.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

So you replaced the coils and points? Set the points to .020"? Did you test spark with a spark tester? Should jump a 1/4" gap. How is compression? If you have compression and spark, then there is a fuel delivery problem. If there is spark, it should fire if you spray pre-mix directly in carb throat. If it doesn't keep running, try pumping the bulb on the fuel line. Does it keep running then? If so, probably a bad fuel pump.

 

[cajuncook1]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Hey Sader762,

Lindy46 has given good advice and information. You need to use a spark tester to evaluate an adequate spark. Having the wire connected to the sparkplug and grounding the plug to motor will not indicate its strength or quality. Make sure your plugs are gapped at 0.030 inch. You will need a feeler guage.

These can be bought at Harbor Freight, Auto Zone, NAPA, Sears and etc (That's if you don't already them)

*compression tester about $10
*Feeler guage about $6
*a spark gap tester about $5

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=294072

***Please make sure the tiller position is on start or a little past start mark position****

If you have good spark, then following Lindy46 instructions to introduce fuel, it should then a least half start or sputter. If it doesn't then you still have to give the ignition system your attention. Once your ignition is resolved then you can move on to fuel delivery(carburetor).

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352

You need a service manual for your motor. It helps out tremendously and gives good illustrations. The guys can help out a lot on this forum but you have to meet them half way. A service manual is excellent resource.

http://www.outboardbooks.com/


Good luck my friend,

cajuncook1

 

[F_R]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

So, it was running and suddenly stopped? OK, how about it blew the head gasket? Or the water pump quit and burned up the powerhead? You need to do a compression check before going any further.

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

does it have the 2 line pressure tank with that one? I just last night aquired a 63 5.5, but i thought it had been converted to fuel pump..I will have to look closer it appears..

 

[Sader762]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

I recently purchased a 14' Jon with Trailer and a 1962 5.5 Fisherman. Guy said it was working but stopped about 2 months ago when he was on the lake. Maybe true, maybe not. Motor looks to be in good shape though.

I ordered parts from Iboats to do a complete minor overhaul of the engine. New plugs, plug wires, carb rebuild kit, all electronics (points, condensor, and coil), new impeller, new fuel lines, new gas and oil, and new lower oil.

I cannot get it to even sputter. It looks like I have spark at the sparkplug and gas is going to the carb. I have tried all sorts of carb adjustments. I've switched the plug wires even though I know they are on correct.

I'm at a loss. I can work on engines, I've done it before. But this little 5.5 horse thing is messing with my mind. I know this thing will work I just don't have a clue as to what I need to do next.

Please, for my sanity, help me out.......

Ok, an update.

Before I start I have ordered a Service Manual for it. It can't get here soon enough.

And all my repairs have been from following this guide: http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repa...ohnson 5.5 HP 1954-1964 Tune-Up Procedure.htm

So today I picked up a spark plug tester and a Compression Gauge.

I tested for spark using the tester set to it's small engine setting. I do have what seems to be a good spark to me, it jumps a pretty considerably gap on the tester.

Both of the cylinders are testing around 50 on the compression gauge...good or not?

I put mixed fuel into the cylinders and I think I may have gotten it sputter...maybe. I don't really know what a 2 cylinder 2 cycle engine is supposed to sound like.

The flywheel key is in good shape.

The points are set around .020" give or take a few thousandths.

The plugs are gapped at .030"

I will try and introduce fuel mix into the throat body and see what that does.

I guess it could still be a timing issue although this engine is so simple I don't see how I could have it screwed up and still get good spark.

This one only has 1 fuel line and it does have a fuel pump but the fuel pump has no area for a vacuum on it, only an fuel input and an output lines. I guess I could take it off and see what's there and if anything looks bad.

At this point I want to be sure that all of the ignition stuff is accurate. I followed the directions at the above link and it everything seems to be good. But honestly all my mechanical confidence is shot at this point. So who knows...

Thank you to everyone for all of their help that has been offered. I'd love to get this old thing running again but my patience is all but gone.

 

[cajuncook1]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

You stated, " Both of the cylinders are testing around 50 on the compression gauge."

The compression seems low, but they are even. I was wondering if you had the compression hose screwed in snug and had given the starter cord a good 4 or 5 good pulls on each cylinder before you obtained a reading.

Look at this link and read how perform a compression reading.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=313963&highlight=compression

I know your anxious to get her running, but be patient and do things right. The guys on this forum will guide you and give you good advice.

Good luck,

cajuncook1

 

[Sader762]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Good write up, thanks Cajuncook.

I'll redo it tomorrow and see if I can get those numbers up. Any idea what the compression should be at? I know I still need to put on a new exhaust housing gasket on, can this effect the compression? And if I do have low compression is it still salvagable or am I out some cash on my first trist into used boat nirvana....



Sorry about all the questions, and thanks for the help.

 

[weekendfisher]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

To test compression pull the pull starter until the needle on the compression tester stops moving may take 4-5 pulls that will give you the final reading.
cheers

 

[lindy46]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

The main thing is consistent pressure on each cylinder. Those smaller motors run perfectly fine with compression readings in the 60's. There are no published figures by the manufacturer. You could do a decarb or just let the cylinders soak in some penetrating oil overnight. I can usually get the numbers up about 10psi by the soaking routine.

 

[Sader762]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Great idea, thanks Lindy. I'll do that today and tomorrow I'll play with it some more.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

You want to see the compression up over 100 to start with. if the compression is that low the motor will not make any power. (well bugger all anyway)
Also pull the pull starter until the needle on the compression tester stops moving may take 4-5 pulls that will give you the final reading.
cheers

That may be true for larger, modern outboards, but not for these 5.5 hp oldies. I've never seen one that hit 100. They run fine with compression in the 60 psi range. Please don't give advice unless you are familiar with the outboard in question. It just confuses people.

 

[Sader762]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

UPDATE!

Ok, so I let the cylinders sit with penetrating oil over night and then I remeasured the compression. Both cylinders are coming in at around 46 psi. From my research this may actually be too low for the cylinders to fire...does that seem correct?

Since this powerhead is running low compression what are my options? What would you guys do? I guess I can pull it apart and see if anything is sticking. Also the exhaust gasket is old and needs replacing, could this cause low compression?

I like the motor and the ease at which you can work on it but at this point I want to get something that will be dependable, which this motor probably would be with an overhaul. Too many decisions.

Just keep sinking money into it or go another route?


Thanks!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman

Before tearing into it, see if you can borrow another gauge. Some gauges are a little wonky and may not read accurately.

If the readings still come in low, I would say it may be time for a teardown. Might start with the cylinder head just to see if there's anything apparent - scoring, galling, rust, etc. on the cylinder walls. These old motors ran LOTS of oil and carbon build up is their worst enemy. Sticky rings lead to low compression. Might get away with removing the rings, cleaning the carbon out and reassembling. A light honing may help, too.

These are among the easiest motors to tear down and work on - very few parts to deal with. A manual is still HIGHLY recommended, though...

- Scott

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

I think a decarb is in order. I think it should still be able to run. If that motor looks like it's in nice condition, then it should easily come back to life. I've had some pretty rough engines come back to life.

 

[Sader762]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

What do you mean by a decarb?

I have completely rebuilt the carb using an Iboats carb kit. Anything more than that I should do?

Thanks

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

Decarb is actually short for decarboning the motor. Uses a product like Sea Foam Deep Kreep to loosen built up carbon from inside the motor. Might be a good idea to try that before my suggestion of a partial tear-down...

 

[Sader762]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/28

Thanks for the help!

I pulled all of the ignition parts today and replaced them. I set the points per the manual and used an electronic ohm meter and alligator clips to set them accurately. Then I tested the spark with a spark plug tester and the spark is a very good blue/white and jumps a 1/4"+ gap.

I retested the compression again and both cylinders are exactly at 47 PSI.

I thin tried to start the motor while spraying fuel/oil into the carb throat, still no joy.

I then decided to pull the head off. The pistons tops are dark and have carbon build up. The cylinder walls are very shiny and smooth. There was a small 1/8" section of the head gasket missing from between the 2 cylinder walls. I am guessing that compression is bleeding off into the other cylinder keeping the compression too low for the engine to fire. Does this make sense? Is it possible that low compression will keep the engine from running?

At this point what would you do? Replace the head gasket and what else? The piston rings (which set the std. or .020"), the thermostat, anything else?

I'd love to get this old girl running again. I figure for less than $200 I could actually come up with a pretty new motor. Anything else that I am missing? On a positive note, I finished rebuilding the boat trailer today!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/29

Re: Help, Pease! 1962 Evinrude 5.5 Fisherman - UPDATE 4/29

Yep, I would replace the head gasket and see where that takes you. The fact that the cylinders are nice and smothe, is a good sign. Keep us posted and let us know what happens after a new head gasket.