Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

[eskimo3883]

Hi,

A friend of mine is trying to find a manual for this outboard motor. The motor is supposed to be a navy issue Korean war era outboard motor modified to either make it silent, temporarily submersible, or both. There are zero commercial markings anywhere. A very small handmade copper name plate added to the motor has the 1/8" tall numbers 487. It has two cylinders, weighs 80lbs and has an 8" two bladed prop. It looks like an Evinrude. Based on the carburetor and position of the choke it is looking like this started off as a 1954 Evinrude fleetwin but I am sure what sizes were available. Anyone want to guess what horse power would be expected from a 80lb outboard from 1954?

The cast top plate that accepts the cast cowling is divided in to a front casting and a back casting. The font casting has a cast in part number: 287-819. If I could find a parts list I should be able to dial in an exact model.

 

[eskimo3883]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

test

 

[F_R]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

You are going to have to come up with some good pictures if you want anybody to even remotely guess what you have.

 

[eskimo3883]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

Photos of NAVY Motor

 

[F_R]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

I must say that I've never seen anything like it, but I think you have pretty well identified it. 7.5hp of the 1950's. You might also want to check in at the Antique Outboard Motor Club's website. www.aomci.org

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

That's bloody cool! I agree with FR - sure looks like it started life as a Fleetwin 7.5, although that would have come out AFTER the Korean War Armistice in 1953, and the leg "horseshoe" dates it as 1956 or later.

I wonder if that's one of the motors that would have been packed with a raft on aircraft that traversed open water?

I would definitely post it at the AOMCI site. Maybe someone there knows the whole story?

 

[eskimo3883]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

I think the dates are up for grabs. The rumor is this was launched underwater from the dry deck shelter bolted to the deck of a submerged submarine. As I understand it the previous owner was a Navy diver who was in several wars including Korea. The amount of "ordanance" also in his garage makes me think he was for real but I am not clear on how a Navy motor ended up in his garage. I have no idea who modified the motor or when. It may not have been new. Also, the mods may have evolved over time.

1) The control positions look like a 1954 Fleetwin (Carborator knobs with choke off to the rightlook) but I don't know how long they made the fleetwin with the choke off to the right.

2) The interior cowling has fine sand everywhere. Should I plug the carb opening and wash this out with a garden hose?

3) If water gets inside the cowling is there a drain where it would exit on a normal motor?

4) Would a 1950s Evinrude 7.5 hp carb kit work for multiple years of motors?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

1) It's definitely 1956 or later going by the horseshoe motor mounts on the leg.
2) I would use compressed air rather than water.
3) On a normal motor, yes, water would drain out. On this one, I doubt it would - as they've made effort to keep water out I don't think water could get out. There may be some sort of one-way baffle somewhere to allow air in, though, as the motor needs that to run...
4) Yes, the same carb kit would cover all the 7.5s from 1954 to 1958.

 

[Moxie]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

I'd have to agree with F_R in that you hit the nail on the head. I believe these motors were meant to be surfaced, drained and then started.

 

[eskimo3883]

Re: Identity of navy issue Korean war era outboard motor ???

Great information. In the fourth photo are two valves. I thought one might be exhaust. Maybe the other is a drain for internal water.

The first photo shows a leather wrist strap and string. This string has a clip that holds open the air intake valve on the right rear. The inside of this valve is on left side of the third photo showing the rear door and uh wires. Pulling the clip allows a spring to shut off the air.

My friend has now removed the cowl so I will try for internal photos.