If it has Carburetion, Compression and Ignition, it has to run.
So said a mechanic friend reflecting his years of experience.
Wet spark plugs indicates fuel is getting from fuel tank to
cylinder. Compression in 1913 was no where near 10 to 1 so
even low compression reading motor will probably run even with
reduced power output. 2020 minus 1913= 107 years…probably
time to clean points and check coil and wires. Get out your ignition
file, heat shrink tubing and VOM Soldering skills may come in handy.
Wear issues and missing or broken parts are normal for century old
mechanical devices of any kind. You may have to expand your knowledge and skills to deal with them.
Cylinder wear MAY only require honing. OR more serious work,
New rings, if required, have to be correct size for cylinder bore and
piston groove.
Each old outboard is an adventure having its own individual learning
curve. Good Luck and have fun.
The REALLY old outboard group exist in a corner of the hobby with
its own network of sources and knowledge along with some skills
seldom encountered in 21st Century.
Louis

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by green-thumbs.

1 user thanked author for this post.

jimparrott

It helps to be a magician/machinist on those old timers.

dale

Happy wife happy life!