TOPIC: 1955 evinrude compression

I have a very nice 1955 Evinrude 15hp. I redid the carb, lower unit etc. Painted it. Problem is the compression is very strong and makes it very difficult to pull the start cord. Any suggestions or do I just have to live with it. Thanks, Mike

Start lifting some weights! Not much you can do about having TOO MUCH compression. That's actually a good thing, as most folks with 50+ year old motors are dealing with TOO LITTLE...
- Scott

Roger that Chinewalker!! I'm 71 yrs young and splitting my wood for next winter so should be ready to rock and roll! LOL. Mike

Your motor looks great! I've got a fairly clean one myself. Good runners...
- Scott

Beautiful vintage 'Rude, Mike! Going to use it as a kicker on the Monterey, or is that another project in the works? Would love to see some more pics of the Dorsett, when you get a break from cutting firewood. Old guys RULE!

More pics of the Dorsett as requested. Enjoy.

ps I have a golden jubilee lark ready to go for the Dorsett.

The motor has the Ease-A-Matic starter which when properly wound gives extra leverage during the compression strokes. Rope length determines the "timing" of the leverage.There should be timing marks and a reference mark on the pulley, visible when you remove the starter. Max Wawrzyniak"s book "Cheap Outboards" has a nicely detailed section with service bulletins from OMC about those starters. Excellent book, highly recommended for anyone with a '50's or 60's OMC twin.

Actually, 1955 was the last year of the earlier style recoil (pulled the same no matter where you set the rope). 1956 was the first year of the oval rope sheave Ease-A-Matics... And you can't swap one for the other, as the recoil mounting bosses are different between '55 and '56 Fastwins.

p.s. Boy, does it make a difference!!!!!!!!!

That's a very nice 1955 Evinrude 15 hp ! I had a '55 or a '56 back around 1961, and I loved that motor ! Mine was not hard to pull, for whatever reason. Of course, my previous motor was a 10 hp. Mercury Hurricane with no neutral gear, and I had to start it at half throttle standing up ! I was only 13 years old at the time, and that Mercury used to scare me ! I also had to row back home more often than not with the Mercury. The Evinrude was so smooth and quiet and reliable in comparison. The two motors were about the same in boat speed, however. Good luck with your motor !

Have a '54 Ev 15hp that I picked up a few months ago and added to the fleet. Went through all the services needed for it and it's a superb running engine. Not as pretty as yours but not scratched up at all... just a nice faded look.