Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1931 EVINRUDE 401 QUESTIONS
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keplerfan.
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May 2, 2018 at 7:22 pm #9804
So I ordered the battery recommended by Tubs and it turns out that this model 401 (if that is what it is) has great spark. I also found a lower unit with a good skeg which is on it’s way. Now I need to start the motor to make sure it runs right. I need to know the fuel/oil mix ratio as well as the recommended lower unit oil. Also, what is the spark plug I need?
Does anybody have any guesses as to why this model 401 or 407 seven has a battery type ignition? The guy I bought it from claimed it to be a 1935 elto 5.5hp. Is there any chance that this was made by elto?
May 2, 2018 at 9:32 pm #75238By the time that motor was built, Elto and Evinrude were operating under the same umbrella. It has a battery-ignition because it is an Elto. That was one of their distinguishing features. Evinrudes were sold with flywheel magnetos.
I would say that you have a model 401, its the most common one that shows up. Whichever it happens to end up being, it definitely is NOT a 1935 motor. If its a 401, its a 1931 model. 407 would make it a ’32.
Use grease in the lower unit, not oil.
Mix it at 1/3 pint of oil per gallon of gasoline and you can’t go wrong. Original plug was a Champion 6M. You can use a modern Champion D9 or D16
Hope this helps.
Best,
PM T2He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...
May 3, 2018 at 1:52 pm #75271
A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.
May 7, 2018 at 9:47 pm #75516anybody know the gap for the points?
May 8, 2018 at 5:43 am #75543Twenty thousandths on the points, twenty five thousandths on the plugs . . . 😉

May 8, 2018 at 2:51 pm #75557If that motor has the regular battery ignition used by Elto (Atwater Kent) the points should be at at .009" to .010" , not .020"
May 8, 2018 at 7:08 pm #75575I gapped at .020 and got it to fire up once. I can’t get it started now. when checking for spark I notice that the port side spark cuts out but the starboard is fine. Does anybody know what causes this? Can I use a lightfour/zephyr coil in this motor and if so will I need a new condenser?
May 8, 2018 at 9:14 pm #75583You know you need to ground one side to get spark in the other, right?
T
May 8, 2018 at 11:20 pm #75591there is a ground wire. perhaps the connection needs cleaned?
May 8, 2018 at 11:21 pm #75592there is only one ground. should there be 2?
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