So I bought a 1977 19' Sleekcraft with the aft u-shaped seats (nice boat) with a 1985 150hp evinrude. I was aware that it need a new impeller and had weak spark. I figured I could fix this and the price was right for a nice boat like this with a roadrunner trailer with perm plates and a nice 150hp outboard. This would be my first outboard, but had lots of inboards and stern drives. Thinking this should be a snap, I bought it for $1000. I bought it in Bullhead City, AZ, just north of Lake Havasu, where it can get to 128degrees f. It had been under a covered carport, so it wasn't totally torn up. Long story short, the summer was hot, I changed the impeller with the help of the neighbor who tore everything but the powerhead apart for me. So nice neighbor, lol. Took me a while to get it back together in the heat. So I went to test spark, because I think this is where we should begin with something new that isn't running, and sure enough no spark. Did some research, found all the tests and did them. Isolated to slow start, so new battery wasn't gonna be good enough or so I thought. so I will just list what I have done to it.
Things I will do:
so I tested this with the controls disconnected with plugs in and out, got spark with plugs out. So like I seen Joe Reeves write over and over "bright blue spark and spark with plugs out. I did this test over and over. couldn't get spark with plugs in, so I finally settled for testing with plugs out controls (big red plug) disconnected and got good blue spark after cleaning my flywheel and the stator. then did the test disconnected with plugs in, good blue spark 1/2". So applied fuel and bingo, started right up. So now have a running engine but it is a bit sick. So I am going to work on the things listed. I just replaced the fuel lines to get good fuel to the engine as all of the lines and bulbs were hard and leaking.
Current compression 108,108,107,105,109,95, I have a broken bolt at the low compression one.
Here is where I am an what I am working on now:
I am writing this post in hopes that I can get some help with this basket case. Some good info into why my reverse isn't working would be great, I am guessing something to do with something not engaging. I am wondering if I did something wrong when I put the lower back in from putting in the new impeller. The prop appears to want to spin a little when in reverse, but I didn't pay attention as to what direction, I am thinking it actually was forward, it barely moves at all though.
Also can I install a temp gauge on this with the equipment that is already installed? or do I have to do aftermarket. I hate hoping and praying that my cooling system is working properly.
I am hoping this can be a good conversation piece and I can get this going in the next month. I am thinking it might have been cheaper to find a nicer newer engine with fewer problems to fix, lol, but I am a glutten for punishment.
Thanks for any help and suggestions I can get.
- New impeller and kit
- new fuel filter
- new hydraulic pump motor
- new starter
- new fuel pump
- new fuel bulbs
- new fuel lines
- new spark plugs
- new 750MCA battery
- new 900cca battery
Things I will do:
- New powerhead and headgasket set
- replace headgasket bolt that broke, may all the bolts
- repair reverse, not engaging
- do carb rebuild
- maybe have local mech to tune-up carbs and sync
- The tach stopped working since last year, maybe a bad rectifier
- Repair tach or replace rectifier
- replace seals on prop shaft bearing housing
so I tested this with the controls disconnected with plugs in and out, got spark with plugs out. So like I seen Joe Reeves write over and over "bright blue spark and spark with plugs out. I did this test over and over. couldn't get spark with plugs in, so I finally settled for testing with plugs out controls (big red plug) disconnected and got good blue spark after cleaning my flywheel and the stator. then did the test disconnected with plugs in, good blue spark 1/2". So applied fuel and bingo, started right up. So now have a running engine but it is a bit sick. So I am going to work on the things listed. I just replaced the fuel lines to get good fuel to the engine as all of the lines and bulbs were hard and leaking.
Current compression 108,108,107,105,109,95, I have a broken bolt at the low compression one.
Here is where I am an what I am working on now:
- the next thing I am working on is going to be head gasket set
- Carb rebuild
- new fuel side gaskets
- tune up
- reverse
I am writing this post in hopes that I can get some help with this basket case. Some good info into why my reverse isn't working would be great, I am guessing something to do with something not engaging. I am wondering if I did something wrong when I put the lower back in from putting in the new impeller. The prop appears to want to spin a little when in reverse, but I didn't pay attention as to what direction, I am thinking it actually was forward, it barely moves at all though.
Also can I install a temp gauge on this with the equipment that is already installed? or do I have to do aftermarket. I hate hoping and praying that my cooling system is working properly.
I am hoping this can be a good conversation piece and I can get this going in the next month. I am thinking it might have been cheaper to find a nicer newer engine with fewer problems to fix, lol, but I am a glutten for punishment.
Thanks for any help and suggestions I can get.