TOPIC: Looking at a 65' Evinrude 40HP

Going to check out a cosmetically decent 40HP.
Anything about this vintage I need to know.
I will check compression if possible.
Apparently it has a spark issue.
Are parts generally available?
I wasn't fast enough to respond to a craigslist ad. The buyer doesn't want the motor, just the boat.

I have a Feather Craft Vagabond II I plan on restoring and this would be a good fit. Controls and key panel are all there.
Thanks

Jim

In 1965 there were eight models of Evinrude 40 hp:

Big Twin without electric start (short and long)
Big Twin with electric start (short and long)
"Lark" (grey and blue) (short and long)

It's a solid/mature engine, and consumable parts are readilly available.

But the controls for a Lark ("selectric" shift) could be hard to buy/replace (and the F/N/R buttons can go bad), and you have to make sure to use the correct oil in the lower unit.

Awesome, thanks. It is the Big Twin with electric start. Rope start does not engage.

Unfortunately it is a long shaft. Fortunately I didn't restore the boat yet. It was in too good of shape to pass up.
Everything was there, solenoid box, ignition switch, controls, choke plate with overheat light. Compression was 90 ea. with my gauge, 105 with the sellers. There are some minor issues, but nothing serious. The seller previous to the guy I bought it from said it has a spark issue. I didn't check it yet, so I am assuming no spark on one or both.
I would bet this thing spent 46 of 49 years garaged. Virtually no rusted bolts.

Great to get all the controls!

Conversion to "short" can be done by swapping the gear case, drive shaft, and water tubes.

Parts diagram:
www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1965&hp=40&model=40552
(shows parts for short & long)

Even if you don't convert to short (hold on to the feathercraft!), you should replace the impeller (no special tools required).

Here is the series of articles that convinced me that even I (a software guy) could work on old outboards:
www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/articles.htm

It's available in print as "Cheap Outboards".

The AOMCI "Ask-a-member" forum is a great place for advice and parts:
www.aomci.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

I ended up joining the AOMCI.

I actually think the short conversion may be easier than I originally thought. It looks like I just need the drive shaft and 2 water tubes.
Mine is the 40553. 40552 is the short shaft, which marineengine.com says they have the needed parts. Don't worry this isn't my first time with an old outboard. I managed to get a 1973 65HP(a 13 year outside sleeper) up and going. Six years and still going strong. I am actually sore this morning from skiing last night.

Is the shift rod on a "long" longer? Replacing it would mean opening and resealing the gearcase...

There are many places selling used parts that are likely less expensive...

I've found Dan Gano ( www.ganotech.com ) to be a great guy.
Doug Penn (penn.itgo.com) comes well reccomended as well.

There are also larger operations (seaway(?) in Seattle)

Interesting, I forgot about the shift rod, as it doesn't appear on the gearcase diagram.
http://www.marineengine.com/newparts/part_details.php?pnum=OMC0377398]

It is on the midsection drawing.

The lower part of the shift rod is #15 in the gearcase group:

www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1965&hp=40&model=40552&manufacturer=Evinrude§ion=Gearcase+Group

There are both short and long versions of the part:

0305287 for the short
0305519 for the long

Not sure how long they did this, or if they did it on the johnnyrudes, but on my 62 Gale 40hps, the lower unit shift rod is the same length as the short shaft, and the connector between the lower unit and the upper is long, making up the difference. If you have a connector that is longer than an inch or so, you won't have to chnge the shift rod, if not then yes, you will.

Well I started investigating the manual starter not working so I could troubleshoot the spark issue with the manual starter.
Someone else (not too bright) tried and did major damage.

I got hosed. Top of crank is damaged.