ELGIN OUTBOARD; WILL SHE START??

In this video I attempt to start a 1946 - 1951 Vintage Sears and Roebuck Elgin branded outboard motor. It is 2.5 HP liquid cooled two stroke engine that screams nostalgia. Classic Outboard Motor with an American made carburetor. Heck the whole thing is probably made in America. She hasn't ran in several years. I think the last time it was started was in 2017 or 2018.
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[@bruceholtermann9646]

Really nice to see you bring her back to life. What fun, and still runs good.

[@FlatThunder]

It's a cool piece of history and the design is loaded with nostalgia. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@kcrreedranch]

Well, today we tinkered with the engine. It seems to be around a 1950 Twin - 5 hp model. After a little tinkering. It fired right off and idled. Thanks again for the Video. My granddaughter was thrilled that we were able to get it running.

[@FlatThunder]

It's comments like yours that make all the time and effort worthwhile. I am happy you were able to get this old outboard going. It's a great experience for your granddaughter! Don't forget to turn off the fuel just in case the float sticks. Cheers 👍😁

[@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

Love the smell of two stroke engines. I have one of these still unopened in the shipping box from five years ago. I should take it out and see if I can make it run. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@FlatThunder]

Heck yeah! Get those out of the box and give them a try. I get inspiration from watching others on YT too. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@johnhotrod3231]

Nice work. I have a 1951 16hp

[@FlatThunder]

Thanks! I haven't seen one that size. I'm sure it screams nostalgia! Thanks for watching. 👍😁

[@G00B4LIFE]

Great video man! Really appreciate you taking the time to record this motor.

[@FlatThunder]

Thanks! It is a fun vintage little outboard. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@KentCReed]

We will clean it all up real nicely. And just hang it in my shop. Nice wall hanger. And keep this up. I also have an old dump truck I use regularly. And we watched the COE ford stuff very cool.

[@FlatThunder]

Very Nice! Thank you for your compliments! I hope to maintain a new video every week. Some are more entertaining than others, but hopefully they all can provide someone with useful information / entertainment. A dump trucks on my list of things to get! 😁

[@kcrreedranch]

We just got home with almost the very same outboard. Although the one we picked up has forward and reverse. Along with recoil start. Thanks for the Vid. It's gonna help us out a bit. When I say Us. It's me and my 9 year old granddaughter , wish us luck

[@FlatThunder]

Hi Kent! I am happy to hear you are working on it with your granddaughter! Younger kids these days do not get involved in too many hands on projects. Thanks for watching and best of luck on the repair. It sounds like a great bonding / educational experience! Cheers 👍😁

[@stanleybest8833]

West Bend Elgin. I'd scrub the tank with walnut shells and dish water. The carb could use a real gasket or you'll be half way up the Hudson and it will stop. Someone makes the impeller rubber? The original cord had a red wood handle. I don't leave gas in the tank overnight. I pour it back and run it dry.

[@FlatThunder]

Thanks for sharing! This little gem was a functional piece and used on a little bass boat. It never let me down. However, I always had a backup or only traveled up river! Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@JD-hh9io]

Nice video. I have 6 Elgin outboards. A 1.25 hp, and 2 hp air cooled. Then a 2.5 hp, 5 hp, 6hp, and 7.5 hp water coolef. They are a lot of fun. The 2.5 hp motor is water cooled. You should be using oil formulated for water cooled engines. Wtc-3 or something. I can't remember at the moment. I would stick with 16 to 1 ratio. It will smoke some but the thing needs lubrication. The 1 cylinder engine isn't balanced all great. You might have some play in the flywheel front to back more than side to side. They had a 3 hp water cooled one as well. Use a garbage can too. You want a lot of water.

[@FlatThunder]

It sounds like you have quite the collection! These engines are a unique piece of history and just plain cool! I sold my unit to a father and son team. He planned to fully rebuild the unit back to factory original. Hopefully it helps the younger generation gain interest in working with your hands and tinkering on mechanical things. Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@4booie]

I bought one of these today, seemed to have compression. 20.00 didn't want to pass it up. Came with an old jon boat.

[@FlatThunder]

Awesome! They are definitely nostalgic little pieces of history! It probably only needs a good cleaning, fresh fuel and bunch of pull starts. Thanks for watching and happy tinkering! 👍😁

[@uberdad9225]

Nice work brother, not an easy task I recently did one myself

[@FlatThunder]

It took quite a few pulls! I love the nostalgia these old outboards represent. Thanks for watching 👍😁

[@uberdad9225]

@@FlatThunder weld a 3/4" nut on top so you can start with a drill next time👍

[@dianajordan9158]

I have a 1947 5 1/2 horse Elgin boat motor I am trying to get working. I am trying to figure out the mixture adjustment. If I screw it all the way in, how many turns out should I set it at? Also, above that adjustment there is another slotted screw that I needs to adjusted. Any help would be appreciated.

[@FlatThunder]

I am not overly familiar with this model, but in general I screw mixture screws in until lightly seated and then back out 1 - 1.5 turns. I typically count the turns when I disassemble carb's, and only use this method when a mixture screw is replaced or the baseline is lost. Best of luck on getting her going and thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@D.Trider]

I have the same motor, won’t turn and prop won’t turn. Any ideas? I know it’s an old video but thanks!

[@FlatThunder]

I think it is a direct drive, but it's been awhile.... If the motor isn't seized I would inspect the prop connection. It could have sheared a key or wrapped something up binding it to the housing. If that isn't part of the issue I would guess it overheated or was ran without the proper oil mixture; consequently melting the piston into the rings/bore. Thanks for watching and best of luck on the repair! 👍😁

[@D.Trider]

@@FlatThunder I think I might of broke it. I placed a drill on the top nut to try to break it free, no it spins and everything is free- but feel like something isn’t right. I get spark, get fuel, but maybe a broke a connector rod?

[@FlatThunder]

@@D.Trider take the spark plug out, put your thumb over the hole and pull it. You should feel compression..... All it needs is fuel spark and compression to make it go go. If you have all three then the mix / settings might be off on your levers / knobs

[@OH_Outdoorsman]

I have an 8.5 horse just like that it actually has a coil spring reload for the string. Do you have any advice on where to buy parts for these Elgin motors I need a coil pack thank you

[@FlatThunder]

Sorry I never purchased any parts for my unit, but I have referenced this website before; www.elginoutboard.com/. it looks like they sell parts or have links to parts. I saw a link for coils. Note I never purchased from them, but only referenced technical specifications. Thanks for watching. And best of luck on the repair! 👍😁