How do i know if my motor works?

[khelhelou]

Hi im still a newbie to the whole boating world, just bought a alumacraft 16ft boat with trailer and a 40hp johnson outboard motor. I was wondering about the cable and pulley system, the engine i bought doesnt fit the metal piece that connects both sides of the line coming off the sides of the boat from the steering wheel, is there a way to change that metal piece? To be more specific the piece is directly connected to two springs and then one part of the line attaches into both sides of the boat and the other part of the line goes to the steering wheel, my question is how do i get that metal piece that already came with the boat to connect to the motor? Also the controls that came with the boat were for a evinrude and the control box at the bow is also a evinrude so i think i might have to get an adaptor for the thick electrical wire coming out of the control box that goes to the motor right? Im taking the motor to a mechanic tuesday to see if everything is ok to go out next saturday...any suggestions would be appreciated! Also is there a way to know if my motor actually works before i take it to the mechanics? I know i should of bought a motor that i could of seen work before i bought it but i got this motor for a good deal and the owner said that before he put it in storage for a year, it worked perfectly. When i went to pick the motor up, it was laying on its side, does that have any negative effects on the mechanics inside if it was laying on its side for a year?Thanks.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: How do i know if my motor works?

Hi khelhelou....and WELCOME TO iboats!

There have been so many steering systems over the years that it might be tough to find the right parts for an older one; you might end up needing to replace that. If it comes to that...I'd check at a boat salvage yard and try to find a complete system used, Your engine is so common that there should be plenty of them to choose from....with all the parts ready to go.

Evinrude and Johnson are essentially the same engines so your controls should work, If there are heavy cables coming from the engine...they are most likely your battery cables and as such they do not run up to the helm (usually). The battery usually stays back by the motor.

I doubt that the engine got hurt by lying on it's side. More important would be whether it was sheltered or not....and if the usual "winterizing steps" were done. It would be way worse if it were turned up-side down; water can run into the powerhead and cause corrosion.

If you're going to a mechanic you will know soon enough if there are issues to keep you from getting on the water. See what he/she has to say and take it from there.

Good luck; keep us posted! And; we love pictures

Chuck

PS: You will probably get better results with your answers here if you post one question at a time...and put some reference as to the specifics of it in the subject line.

 

[roofcock]

Re: How do i know if my motor works?

are you mechanically inclined at all? do a compression test yourself and see what you are dealing with. no compression or uneven compression makes nothing else matter. you tube will show you how. the tester/gauge is cheaper to buy than the mechanic's hourly rate. and not trying to place an ad in your post but i have an old steering system that may work for you. post a pic of what you have.

 

[khelhelou]

Re: How do i know if my motor works?

Hi khelhelou....and WELCOME TO iboats!

There have been so many steering systems over the years that it might be tough to find the right parts for an older one; you might end up needing to replace that. If it comes to that...I'd check at a boat salvage yard and try to find a complete system used, Your engine is so common that there should be plenty of them to choose from....with all the parts ready to go.

Evinrude and Johnson are essentially the same engines so your controls should work, If there are heavy cables coming from the engine...they are most likely your battery cables and as such they do not run up to the helm (usually). The battery usually stays back by the motor.

I doubt that the engine got hurt by lying on it's side. More important would be whether it was sheltered or not....and if the usual "winterizing steps" were done. It would be way worse if it were turned up-side down; water can run into the powerhead and cause corrosion.

If you're going to a mechanic you will know soon enough if there are issues to keep you from getting on the water. See what he/she has to say and take it from there.

Good luck; keep us posted! And; we love pictures

Chuck

PS: You will probably get better results with your answers here if you post one question at a time...and put some reference as to the specifics of it in the subject line.

ok here are some pictures of my issues do these help? and would buying a known working evinrude just be easier?

 

[khelhelou]

Re: How do i know if my motor works?

also is the propeller in the right position, i know your supposed to measure something before you buy a motor, i didnt at the time and this is how it looks, do you think this is ok?

 

[khelhelou]

Re: How do i know if my motor works?

are you mechanically inclined at all? do a compression test yourself and see what you are dealing with. no compression or uneven compression makes nothing else matter. you tube will show you how. the tester/gauge is cheaper to buy than the mechanic's hourly rate. and not trying to place an ad in your post but i have an old steering system that may work for you. post a pic of what you have.

believe it or not but, you posting an ad here may be what i need, what kind of pictures do you need, are the ones i posted ok or do you need different ones? is it the same system as the one i have?

 

[the machinist]

Re: How do i know if my motor works?

From what I see on your photos, the metal part in the middle of the cables that you are holding onto should,go over the top of the center bar of the motor & the knob in the center of this bar may have a crosspin on the back side that should align with a double keyhole in the front of the motor's bar. This knob is usually spring loaded. Center the bar, push the knob IN & twist it into the keyholed slot & it should be attached to the motor's front plate.

 

[khelhelou]

Re: How do i know if my motor works?

From what I see on your photos, the metal part in the middle of the cables that you are holding onto should,go over the top of the center bar of the motor & the knob in the center of this bar may have a crosspin on the back side that should align with a double keyhole in the front of the motor's bar. This knob is usually spring loaded. Center the bar, push the knob IN & twist it into the keyholed slot & it should be attached to the motor's front plate.

I tried that and it put alot of tension on the line/rope and the metal piece didnt even fit, i even tried to force it on but to no avail...im going to go check out a 1960 evinrude 60hp engine tomorrow for $450 whats a good compression reading for that motor so i no what to look for also when he test it in the bucket anything special that i should pay attention to?