My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spark. :

[TreadingWater]

Well after three seperate attempts with several boat mechanics hustled in between we've had no successful days at the lake. Our recently purchased 1973 85 hp Evinrude started out running horribly (it would run better with the choke on than off) , trip to boat mechanic. Now it doesn't start at all.. it appears there is no fire. Where do we start diagnosing? What is there to look for? All the obvious and some of the not-so obvious fuses have been checked and are in good condition. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TreadingWater]

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

I went through the archive's and found posts with similar problems throughout the board.<br />We will start going through these. I probably don't have enough info here to help you guys help me so I'll get into what kind of spark plugs we have yada, yada, yada.

 

[reelburner]

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

Have you checked the amplifier?. I have a '70 60 Hp Johnson that had the same problem and it turned out to be the amplifier. Evinrude and Johnson's are basically the same, so, if you haven't check that, check it. There is a way to check it with an OHM meter, thats how I determined mine was bad,,,,well that and the fact that I wasn't getting any spark either. Being you checked everything else, from the sounds of it. Good luck!!!!<br /><br />Reelburner

 

[Dunk]

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

That 73 has 12volt dependent CD power pac. Unless your battery will produce 350rpms it will not fire the plugs. So make sure your battery cables are good, connections are clean and the battery is hot. Better hope you didn't blow that pac, their worth about 350.00 if you can find one.<br /><br /> As far as the way it was running, better with the choke out that would indicate a bad fuel pump or a restriction in the fuel line itself. You can eliminate the fuel restriction problem by running her off another tank and hose to try it. Rebuild kits for the fuel pump are only about 15 bucks at a dealer and come with instructions.

 

[JAAP]

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

Hey Tread'n, did you have any luck with your motor yet? I seem to be having a similar problem and could use some tips.<br /><br />see my post on the board,<br /><br />thanks

 

[PBF]

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

Re: My Dad's 1973 85 hp Evinrude is running horribly/not at all possibly no spar

I cut the screw connection off my + start cable and attached it to the battery post with a $1.80 clamp from Walmart and got a better crank. You might try that, especially if your screw post connection is corroded and gets real hot, plastic melting hot, when cranking. Good luck.