Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1938 opposed twin Thor
- This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 15 hours, 13 minutes ago by
Gregory Geurts.
-
AuthorPosts
-
May 17, 2026 at 3:16 pm #319089
- Sanity check. Do these flywheels turn clockwise or counter clockwise? Looking at the prop it seems to require clockwise.
- What is the recommended mixture? Started with 16:1 but that seemed to thick. Cleaned everything and then went to 24:1 and ran for about 10 seconds and then would not go again. Best result so far.
- Points are clean and at .020. We get spark but things seem to fowl after a trying to restart
- Using original plug wires but new plugs.
- Carb has been rebuilt and new float installed. Throttle/timing plate needs to be very far to the right (CCW direction) to get the ignition to happen.
Anyone have any experience in trouble shooting these motors?
JGG13
May 17, 2026 at 10:07 pm #319122
The oil makes the seal at the main bearings. While most of my prewar motors run on 3 oz. of oil Per.gal. it depends on the condition of the motor. Go back to 16 to 1. Get one of these drill adapters and using a socket try to start the motor using a drill. Start with the mixture screw closed all the way. Then open it slowly while you have the motor spinning till it starts. This will get the oil back into the bearings. After you get it running well, should you decide you would like to reduce the amount of oil, try the amount you’d be comfortable with. If it becomes harder to start, or begins running poorly, especially at slow speed, you need more oil to maintain that seal at the main bearings. Take off the carburetor. Remove the float bowl, poppet valve cover, poppet valve, and mixture screw. Over a clean paper towel, back flush it through the mixture screw hole with wd40, silicone spray, carb or brake cleaner, whatever you have and check the towel for dirt. Even if your tank has a screen filter this stuff get through. Whenever you’re having running problems, you should check for dirt. It will likely take awhile before you get the fuel system really clean. Its a small passage that the fuel runs through and the slightest bit of dirt in there can really affect how a motor runs. If you’re only getting a spark in the position shown, remove the flywheel. Move the magneto plate back and forth looking for where a wire could be broken or grounding out. Take a good look at those dried out plug wires where they pass through the magneto plate. The magneto in your picture is in the correct position for starting. Even a little more to the right, about 4 o’clock, might be helpful to get it started.
A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.
May 17, 2026 at 10:08 pm #319124I don’t think you have a Thor motor there. I see a brass Welch plug on the crankcase beside the carburetor, and it’s typically an OMC built motor that has a plug like that. Check the plug, I bet you find a model and serial number stamped into it. Tell us what the number is and we’ll tell you what you actually have.
I think you have an Evinrude or Elto or more likely a Sea King, not a Thor. Its not a Thor powerhead at any rate. Sea Kings had timer levers like that tho.
PM T2
He'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 18, 2026 at 12:27 pm #319194It has the Sea King recoil plate. But that being said we used the attached link to come to the conclusion it was built by THOR for the Sea King brand. Interested to see what you think we have PM T2.
My son had the carb apart and cleaned the passages but now that we have things firing, he will give it a good second cleaning and see if that works. The tank had a lot of crap on the bottom, so we emptied some 12 gauge #7 steel shotshells into it, shook vigorously and flushed, but loose particles floating through yet does make sense. We will use the procedure you laid out Tubs
https://www.discount-marine-parts.com/ob_sea_king_1 [discount-marine-parts.com]
Thanks for all the helpful insight!
JGG13
May 18, 2026 at 2:06 pm #319205Found this…
The “OMC model 499” represents classic Evinrude outboard motors manufactured in the late 1930s (specifically 1937–1938). These vintage, two-stroke engines were rated at 4.2 horsepower (HP).Because of their age, they are primarily sought after by antique collectors and vintage motor restorers today.Key Details & IdentificationManufacturer: Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) / EvinrudeHorsepower: \(4.2\) HPYears Produced: \(1937\) – \(1938\)
http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.comMay 18, 2026 at 6:25 pm #319245Thanks Richard. I wonder if the sea king rope pull was replaced at some point? That’s what pointed us in the THOR direction
JGG13
May 18, 2026 at 6:36 pm #319246Ok I didn’t see that small thumbnail of the model number tag.
As somebody pointed out, its a model 499 which is a 5 HP motor built by Evinrude. My model-year guide shows it was built from 1937-39. Some model year-guides show it as a 4.2 hp motor. I would disregard the 4.2 rating and stick with 5.0.
For what its worth, a Thor is built using steel stampings for all of the main construction parts, gas tank included. The only aluminum on a Thor would be the magneto and flywheel (which they purchased) and maybe some carburetors (most were cast bronze).
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 18, 2026 at 7:57 pm #319255Thanks PM T2. All info helps.
JGG13
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
