1979 Evinrude 55 Hp Will it Run? Countdown to 40hp vs 55hp

[@Loompius]

Have a 1977 55hp Evinrude. Idle screw is the exact same. Turned all the way in it doesn't touch anything. Starts super easy and runs like it should though.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for tuning in. Yeah its crazy with these old outboards. I've learned to just set them where they like to run. The manual doesn't mean much 40+ years later! Hahaha Same on that 87 70 horse I work on. Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@smc65714]

Looking Great!Take it slow,No rush.....Get it on the Starcraft soon enough,Thanks for sharing your Senior moments.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha Your welcome! No hurry. Thanks again !

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Man you are awesome. I love to see that I'm not the only one struggling with these old outboards. Keep it real my friend.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha Thanks. It's the Real Life Saga ! Thanks again for tuning in!

[@dirtbiketimemachine7167]

My grandmother grew up next to oak island. She’s used to play on that island with her brothers when they were kids the stories are really cool

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Cool! Thanks for watching and commenting. Stay tuned !

[@Fireship1]

I always seem to drop stuff in tight inaccessible places as well. Lol. I have a couple pairs of straight and curved forceps I picked up at ye old harbor freight that have really saved my butt! It was great to hear the motor run! Looking forward to seeing it in the water!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. yeah its like a bottomless pit sometimes! thanks again !

[@samtate1260]

At least you got it to start I watch inside outbords too kodi bass name that tune kodiak Alaska can’t wait to see that thing on the water thanks for the videos

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@Adjustedpriorities]

You da man, keep up the vids love when you post. I’ve got roped into the curse of oak island also I wish they would find the mother load but I keep watching anyway! Good show.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha Me too! Maybe this season. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@nelsonortiz7013]

felicitaciones, tengo uno igual aca en Miami y viendo tus tutoriales estoy aprendiendo. , eres un gran Maestro .

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks ! Really appreciate you watching and commenting. Stay tuned !

[@ct1762]

its possible the throttle cam needs adjustment, but the goal is to get the 1st hash mark into the center of the roller as the throttle plates begin to move. don't worry about how the cam roller rests at idle. you are going to adjust idle speed in the water with that screw anyway.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

I moved the cam according to the manual, between the two marks not touching the the roller. I wanted to know why they had the idle screw all the way in, so I moved it out to its original setting before I tried to start it. As I advanced the linkage it started to pop but the carbs were also opening too because I adjusted the cam. So in reality I was in fast start mode. So it may have stayed running after warm up with the idle screw where I set it but maybe not. Just experimenting with the setting and wondering why the had the idle screw all the way in. I watched a bunch of videos on 50-55 of that era and 50% + had the idle screw all the way in. Why? Thanks !

[@AlexNorway80]

Ye Larry " Kodi bass" is helpfull 👍

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

He's da man! Thanks for tuning in!

[@ct1762]

Just a little useless tidbit here: they changed the fuel delivery setup in 1980 with the 60hp. they had problems with the pistons in these 55's, and figured they'd make darn sure it wasn't a carb fuel delivery problem, so upgraded to making sure each carb was directly pumped full of fuel by the pump, instead of one carb possibly not feeding the lower one. makes sense when you think about it: top carb runs out of fuel, now the bottom one could possibly get starved of fuel in some bizzarro world. great stuff thanks for the video!

[@daviddoyle1729]

Is there anyway I can pick your brain about the issues I’m having

[@daviddoyle1729]

I have a 1984 60hp 2cyl

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Cool man Thanks !

[@ct1762]

@@daviddoyle1729 sure what's up?

[@daviddoyle1729]

@@ct1762 motor idles just fine when I put it in gear it stalls the only way I can stop it from stalling is by engaging my choke but even after that the motor will not get out on plane it 95%of the time 3%of the time it takes about 300yrd with me standing on the bow to get on plane and the top speed will only reach 22mph 2% of the time it will hop on plane and reach 31mph I can’t seem to deduce the issue

[@chucklachmayer6991]

Always good to hear’em pop over for the first time. Motivates you to stay on it. I am also looking for a silencer for my 88’ Evinrude 28SPL. I was wondering if they all came with one factory ? Seems all the pics you see on line of these don’t have one on it. Once I get it water ready I’m probably going to paint it, seems like you mentioned a source for spray paint that matches the blue/silver color for these Evinrude in one of your old videos ? If you recall let me know. Nice work on the 55 !!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks. Yeah its a high heat, chemical resistant paint from o'reillys auto parts. not sure of the name, something like VHT.? I think most auto parts store carry it. Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@TimsWorkshopTJY]

Interesting having to advance the timing for it to run? My old Mark 10 is right on per book and its 63 years old. Right now looking for a tool or make one to remove the prop shaft cover to remove the carriage assembly. The oring and oil seals need to be replaced. Going to put pressure on it first and sell where the bubbles are coming out. May only need to remove the seals and leave the carriage in hopefully. Thing I'll pull the lower unit off first and work on it in my vise.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Sounds good. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@OutBoardTink62]

Seen one of those tools on E-bay the other day I have been messing around with some Mark 20s and a 25E.Wasnt cheap($100) I think it did the waterpump cover on one side and the gearcover on the other side two tools in one ...Glenn

[@TimsWorkshopTJY]

Saw that one two but it has 4 post on it and I only have 2 tabs? Eddie who did a mark 10 video 9 years ago as a teenager responded back which was a surprise and told me he made his own with a welder. I sent him a email asking if he still had it and will but it from him. Just waiting on his response?

[@OutBoardTink62]

@@TimsWorkshopTJY Thats why old Mercs are a pain with all there special tools they wanted only Certified Repair Stations to do the maintenance in my eyes. Even on routine maintenence repairs ,LOL. I know you can make one out of a big socket and some cutting if your are handy. I started one but lost interest. I prefer the old OMCS much better,LOL. Check out my first video over a year ago I made a 9.5 HP OMC thermostat wrench to remove salted up thermo covers. Thats was many years ago when I wasnt as lazy,LOLl. Good Luck ....GP

[@TimsWorkshopTJY]

Will get it but first seeing if Eddie still has his first. I can make one then if it works will sell it online

[@randyyoung9892]

Happy Thanksgiving TOO hope all is well on Florida 🦃🥧🙏

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks ! Yeah alls well. Got stuck on a painting job but I'm trying to get some video this weekend. Thanks again and Happy Turkey Day!

[@andresrodriguez2142]

You drop a Ring, when you dismount a Fuel Pump and think you didn't put it back.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Can't remember ! Thanks for tuning in!

[@penny200100]

Confucius Says, "Man Who Lay Woman On Ground, Gets Piece On Earth!"

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha. I like that one! Thanks Robby

[@daviddoyle1729]

I have a similar motor that I just got running semi-good 1984 60 hp 2 cylinder and for it to idle properly the butterfly valves can’t be completely closed and if the cam doesn’t have a small about of pressure on the cam follower it will not idle properly I just adjusted my cam out to put pressure on the follower and it idles fine now

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for watching and commenting. Stay tuned !

[@TerrificFlow]

Thank you Codybass ;)

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

He's da man!

[@ronaldwells1805]

Great video see you next time

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks again !

[@dougcook1176]

Hey buddy I didn't like those wire ends that came from OMC. I went down to Napa and they actually had some right angle 7mm automotive steel ends which I like a lot better. Now I live in a small farming town and they may carry that stuff for the farmers with old gas engine tractors. Not sure if you would have anything like that where you are. Maybe online. Great that you were able to get the silencer.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Yeah we have nappa. Thanks for the info. If you need parts check out Kodibass! Thanks again !

[@timmymcgrath6106]

Love the video's thanks for sharing. Just watched your last one . Is the idle screw stop plate set in the wrong position look's like their is a second bolt hole

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for watching and commenting. The second hole fits over a small nipple that holds it in place and keeps it in position. I thought that too until I took a good look at it. Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@user-bn3zo3mh5v]

I don't know that I am right but on my 40 Johnson I moved the timing as high as it would go and my throttle to Wide Open Throttle and then backed off the throttle lever and it all came back to the perfect spot on idle and on the cam where it hits the carb. Just made sure that I hit WOT and full timing advance at the same time. I know it seems backwards but I was grasping at straws, but it worked like an Algebra question that I needed the answer to work back to. It's been running like a top ever since, but mine is a 93 Johnson 40 and I know there are some differences. On a 16 ft deep V similar to your boat and a bunch of fishing gear and me being right at 400 lbs I get 25 to 26 mph and if I add a 250 lb son I get 23.5mph. That is with a Turning Point 12.25" x 15 pitch prop and I am considering going to a 17 pitch prop since I end up fishing by myself. I know you are the guru on these outboards and I used your advice but it just didn't want to run right until I set it like I described. Maybe his can help you out a tiny bit. I don't know that I did it right but it sure runs great now. Forgot to mention, but instead of running the running the 78yc plug I am running the 82yc plug. It's supposed to be a tad bit hotter and I do quite a bit of trolling so I figured it would not hurt and most of the time I don't run full throttle for long. I will run up to max speed then back off from 26mph down to about 23mph. Always seems like there is a point where I get very little return on speed for the extra RPMs. I don't know if that's because of the engine or because of the aluminum prop flexing under max RPM. I would like to try a stainless prop in 12"x17pitch to see what would happen. Maybe it could do 30mph? I also have a couple of 55hp carbs and some racing reeds I am thinking about installing on the 40hp to see if they have anything to offer, especially with a higher pitch prop.

[@ct1762]

if you advance the WOT stop all the way, you are setting yourself up for catastrophic piston failure, and reduced power. Pre-detonation will occur. are you using a timing light? the lack of speed would confirm this. you should never have to mess with WOT timing... its a set and forget thing from the factory. at idle, you want the roller to have about 10 thou clearance from the throttle cam. if you set the linkages up exactly as described in the manual (correct lenght... especially the little one on top exactly 6.3mm), everything should fall into place.

[@user-bn3zo3mh5v]

@@ct1762 I have not checked with timing light but a good friend who has worked on these motors the last 30 years said very similar to what you said. I will back it off some. No preignition that I can tell. Once I get to WOT I always back off a little bit so it's not running full tilt for more than a moment. He said he could check the timing as I run it WOT for me. It's turned off cold here. Don't know that I will be on the water again until Feb or March unless we get some extra warm days here in E TN. The motor is running great. I can't say that I know what preignition sounds like in a 2 stroke but it sounds the same from idle to WOT. I can just tell that last maybe 500 rpm does very little for top speed..maybe 2 to 3 mph. I hate running anything wide open. That's why I was considering going from 15 pitch to 17 pitch if it will help any, and/or maybe going to a stainless prop at the same time. As with anything it's hard for me or probably most men to have something that's not doing as well as it possibly could as far as top speed. I would love for it to hit 30mph but I won't spend a bunch of money for very little return. I feel like these Johnson 40s are more torque than horsepower anyway. If I can run less than WOT and still move pretty quick, I will be content.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for watching and commenting. And I appreciate the compliment but I'm not a guru when it comes to these outboards. I'm a small outboard guy. I just started with these little bit bigger outboards and learning all the time. It's guys like Kramden and RI Outboards that I would call the Guru's, and there's a couple more that comment from time to time. But I do have some experience under my belt and other times I'm just winging it! Hahaha Thanks again for watching and Stay tuned !

[@ct1762]

@@user-bn3zo3mh5v i'm doing a 1986 50hp right now. hole in the piston and sure enough, timing was maxed out! pretty funny i just took the motor apart and thought of your issue. its also possible your prop is slipping.

[@user-bn3zo3mh5v]

@@ct1762 I need to put the new tachometer on there so I can say for sure. It will stay on plane down to probably 15 mph with the Dolfin hydrofoil or whatever it's called. I usually run around 20 to 22 MPH. My tilt unit is mostly shot. That will be the next project, or pull it and ship to a rebuild person on ebay. I have installed some shims to keep the tilt up high enough to run good. I am sure I could add a little more trim and go a bit faster. I need to test it with different levels of shims and see how much worse or better it runs. I work 12 hr midnights and I'd rather sleep, fish, hunt, shoot, etc than work on the boat, but I can easily retard that timing some in just a few minutes, but it's running good, but I want it to last. Took me 2 years of saving to save up enough just to buy the boat and it's like 27 years old, hehe but it's very similar looking to This Old Outboard is using. I can get my kids to drive the boat while I check the timing with a light. I will have to see what it is supposed to be set at for a 93 40hp and what rpm.

[@user-hw1xy6ph1w]

After points what is the next think you would look at on a 25 evinrude running on only one cylinder? Points look nice and clean.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

condenser then coil.

[@chrisbramblett5611]

My old 48 johnson TD 20 seahorse not spitting, putting in a new impeller .any tips would be greatfull

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Take your time, have a torch handy and hope you wont have to use it. Thanks for tuning in!

[@unsaltedlife5998]

I was wondering if you seen that there is two holes in that stop plate bracket do you think if you moved it to the forward hole and bolted it back on it would then be in the correct place and everything would line up? Looking great starting to get cold here winter sucks the fun out of my boat time.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. I thought the same thing til I looked at it. It's two holes but one is for the screw and the other is a small nipple that fits in to keep it from turning. Lining everything up is no big deal. I just wanted to know why they had the idle screw all the way turned in and if it would start at it original setting. Now I know. Hahaha Thanks again !

[@unsaltedlife5998]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 that makes sense! I also wonder why things sometimes don’t line up my 1990 40 hp don’t run or idle right if it’s set to factory settings. I had to tweak it a bit to get it.

[@cliffpalermo]

My 25hp is the same way won't idle or start unless it's pushing on the timing can, I haven't dug fully into it but it seems to like and advanced timing at idle, been meaning to go through the manual and making sure the base timing is correct was hoping to see someone else go through it here on youtube first.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Yeah. I've had a lot of them like that. Thanks for watching !

[@shawnsingleton3034]

Almost there 🙏

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@gsallen9588]

Is your brownish, angled stop bracket on the wrong hole? Needs to move forward? That could preserve the idle screw adjust range. Maybe...

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. No, one hole is for the screw and the other hole fits on a stud that holds it in place. I thought the same thing until I took a good look at it. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@michaelbenna1089]

What would it take to upgrade my 40 to a 55? Just the carb and read valve?

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Carbs/jets, intake/reeds possibly exhaust. Just do some comparing of parts to your year/model. You may already have the right carbs but they just need bigger jets. There's a little bit of homework to do! Thanks for tuning in!

[@fleetwin1]

Keep in mind I did not say, or mean to imply, that this 55hp won't outperform the 40hp, just saying that the 40hp powerhead is much quieter and more reliable. Again, there are many adjustments to consider, this 55hp has one extra timing adjustment than the 40hp, it is referred to as the "pick up timing". All that room between your idle speed screw and the stop could be because the pick up timing is way off, the pick up timing is adjusted by threading the plastic collar out or in on the threaded rod connecting the cam to the throttle arm.... But, seeing the idle speed screw jacked way up is usually a bad sign, meaning someone couldn't get this engine to idle properly...Hopefully, it is just a case of proper sync.. There is nothing wrong with having that big gap between the cam/roller on this engine due to the adjustable pick up timing. When you say that screw can't be out that far to run it, what you mean is that the engine will not start well cold at idle speed, which is absolutely true, the throttle needs to be advanced a bit. But, that doesn't mean that once started and warmed up it won't idle ok with the screw at the position and the arm set back...You won't know until you run it on the boat, in the water....Trying to set one of these up on a flushette is a waste of time... Glad you found the swapped fuel lines, happens to all of us. Hopefully, the inlet needle on that carb just has a little dirt on it.... Sorry I neglected to mention that you never oil/grease that electric choke plunger, it must be clean and dry or it will stick like that....D

[@ct1762]

pickup timing is measured when the roller is lined up with the 1st hash mark on the throttle cam (some just have 1 mark), not when the spark advance rod is up against the stop, creating a gap!

[@fleetwin1]

@@ct1762 You are right, didn't mean to imply otherwise....He is trying to set this one up like the 40hp when the cam is supposed to be just off the roller at idle speed, doesn't matter how big the gap is on the older 55hp with the pick up timing adjustment. Trying not to confuse the issue, pictures are surely worth a thousand of my words.

[@ct1762]

@@fleetwin1 oh no worries. the timing always tells me whos fiddled with the throttle cam. makes it so much easier to get it back to correct factory spot, instead of just guessing! i do know the newer 100 series blocks have that thumb wheel... makes it alot easier to adjust

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Putting the 40 up against the 55 is just for fun. Like I said, some people say the 55 will smoke the 40 and some say I probably wont notice a difference. So lets have some fun and find out!

[@fleetwin1]

Well, I think the 55 will out perform the 40, but not by that much....But, you will need an accurate tachometer and speedo/GPS to properly evaluate it...We don't know what RPM the 40 is spinning up, the 55 might require a larger pitched prop...@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1

[@OutBoardTink62]

At least your honest with the common mistakes thing we all make them ,LOL .I admire that I make some doozies from time to time myself,LOLL Than I remember its only and outboard motor HA! !...Glenn

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha. It's the Real Life Saga ! One Outboard at a Time ! Thanks again man!

[@OutBoardTink62]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 Still waiting to see you do a late 50S Evinrude or Johnson 10 or 18HP and running on your lake there someday...GP

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

@@OutBoardTink62 It's a 5.5 You can have it if you want it!

[@OutBoardTink62]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 God I have too many now I wasnt referring to that 5.5 you have I do have quite a few of those . I have powerheads and parts for that 5.5 if you need something let me know. I meant an old late 50S clamshell JohnRude 10-18 HP,LOLL!

[@eddiebuffkin8704]

How do you get in touch with Coty bass

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

kodibass vintage outboard's 3130 Spruce cape rd kodiak AK' 99615 [e-mail]

[@josephf5066]

Is it possible that the thing the idle screw hits has to be moved? Looks like maybe there are 2 holes in it. Good luck

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. No, one hole is for the screw and the other hole fits on a stud that holds it in place. I thought the same thing until I took a good look at it. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@josephf5066]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 oh I see. Good luck with it can't wait to see your boat fly!

[@MegaBait1616]

Good deal................

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@williamriley2528]

It's 5 O'clock Somewhere...!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Yeah. Old man nap time! Hahaha Thanks again !

[@nelsonortiz7013]

tienes algun amigo "honesto en Miami que me ayude con un motor de estos 55-1977 que por favor me puedas recomendar........Gracias.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Sorry I dont know anybody in miami. Thanks again

[@felipevitelbo6121]

Engine advance is delayed

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for watching and commenting. I'll take all the advice I can get! Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@danny1mmafan]

Its coming together good man gonna shoot you a text tomorrow so i can get some stuff in the mail to you!!! ;)

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Cool man. Thanks again !

[@theluckystrike6371]

🙂 👍🏻👍🏻

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks TLS. Appreciate it!

[@BeamerTheFox]

i cant wait till you get them to both take a dip on the starcraft, this is going to be neat to see how different they are form eachother. stay blessed Cap !

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Yeah it should cool. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@frederic2080]

Yes, your motor was to low for the idl speed

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks for watching and commenting ! Yes, when I got it the idle screw was turned all the way in. Why? Thanks again. Stay tuned !

[@frederic2080]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 I had the same issue with my Mercury. Primer and doesn't start, more gaz needed

[@chrisellwood3523]

she should not spin at all when in gear

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for tuning in! Not sure I know what you mean, but I appreciate your comments. Thanks again & Stay tuned !