Home Forum Ask A Member 3 hp Evinrude question (’50s to 60s)

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  • #209695
    overland
    Participant

      I need a small outboard to use on a small fishing boat, and I’ve been looking at the old Evinrude 3 hp motors. I have a couple questions. What’s the difference between the 3 hp Lightwin and the regular 3 hp? Also, the motors advertised generally haven’t been used for a while. For example, I have the choice between a motor that was drained and fogged 15 years ago, and one that was last used about 7 years ago, was little used, and yet has been stored with gasoline in it. How big a deal is it for a buyer like me that the gas was drained or not?
      I’ll be grateful for any advice.

      #209699
      crosbyman
      Participant

        Canada Member

        good little motors.. .all cousins mostly… see links just cleann it up pull flywheel inspect for cracked coils if cracked replace !!! clean points adjust to .020 on high point of cam etc.. etc…

        http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Evinrude%203%20HP%20Lightwin%20Outboard%20Boat%20Motor/Evinrude%20Johnson%203%20HP%201952-1967%20Ignition%20System%20Tune-up.htm

        http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Evinrude%203%20HP%20Lightwin%20Outboard%20Boat%20Motor/Evinrude%20Johnson%203%20HP%201952-1967%20Carburetor%20Tune-UP.htm

        Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

        #209700
        Alan
        Participant

          HI, I;m not one of the experts here, but I got a 1960 JW 3hp a few years ago, and found it to be one of the easiest, most fun motors I’ve ever worked on. If you must choose, (and I might buy both) a compression test might help you narrow your choice. Motors made after about 1963 or so generally use a 50:1 fuel / oil ratio. Older motors may use more oil per gallon of gas. Any missing pieces? Does it go in and out of gear OK? Can you rotate the flywheel? Prop spin when in gear and you turn the flywheel? (Turning clockwise only, of course).
          I’ll be interested in seeing what the smart people say.
          Happy motoring!
          Alan

          #209702
          overland
          Participant

            Thanks for all the suggestions. Can anyone give me advice on which of several choices I have? There a number of 3hp Evinrudes in my area, late 50s and early 60s, in different conditions. A couple have no gas in the tank but have been well used. The best wasn’t emptied and has sat for 7 years, but wasn’t used much before that. I assume I’ll have to tune up the carborator and maybe replace the coils and / or the plugs. But maybe not. I’d like to settle on one and then go look at it to make sure, as has been posted here, the motor turns and the gearing is okay.

            #209703
            outbdnut2
            Participant

              US Member

              I like the way the older ones were better-built. Two transom clamps instead of one, and older ones have a high speed carb adjustment knob; but both the old and newer versions are great running motors that weigh approx 35 pounds with the tank empty. The one with the old gas in it, needs the gas dumped out and maybe rinse the tank with fresh gas. Undo the carb end of the gas line and rinse gas through the line until fresh gas comes out. The carbs on either of those (7 and 15 years since run) may need to have the bowl taken off to clean out residue of dried up gas, often leaving the oil and other ish behind, but try to start first – you may get lucky. The one with the gas dumped out may still have had gas in the carb to dry up, unless it was run until it quit after gas dumped out, or run until it quit with the gas valve shut off.

              Being run 7 years ago, or 15 years ago, it is likely the original coils in both have already been changed out, so you are probably OK with coils.Any motor that sits a few years with out being run may need a new water pump impeller because the rubber dries out and gets brittle, or loses it’s ability to flex enough. When running, there will be a small spray about a foot below the transom clamps if the water pump is working.

              Lighttwin is just a model name applied to all 3 HP Evinrides some years. They called all their motors “Twins” – Fleettwin, Bigtwin, Fasttwin, etc, and of course twin means two cylinders.

              The 3 HP motors are very easy to work on.
              Dave

              #209707
              amuller
              Participant

                These motors don’t have gear shifting. This makes it easy to change the pump impeller as there is no shift rod to deal with.

                There are two types of lower unit, the “weedless” one that points the propeller shaft downwards, and the right angle one that is probably better for a sailboat auxiliary, etc. Depends on how you plan to use it.
                The rating changed from 3 to 4 hp at some point, and at some point they went to a remote tank.

                Later, at some point, they went to needle bearings. I would not run a plain bearing motor at less than 24-1, regardless of what OMC might have said at the time.

                Regardless of what you pay for the motor, I would budget $100 for coils, condensers, water pump impeller, possibly gearcase seals, etc.

                Very well behaved little motors. Most people seem to like them.

                #209712
                Tubs
                Participant

                  A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

                  #209713
                  overland
                  Participant

                    I hadn’t noticed the difference in the angle of the propeller shaft, but now I see it. Most around here (chicago and Milwaukee) seem to have the propeller at right angles.
                    The main use of this motor will be at the back of a small aluminum fishing boat. (My dad is a fisherman who sold his boat recently, and this will be a makeshift.) I also have a wooden rowing dory with a raked transom. I could try to mount it on the side, like on a canoe, but that’s not really the purpose of the boat.

                    • This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by overland.
                    #209725
                    kerry
                    Participant

                      US Member

                      Angled lower unit was called Lightwin, right angle lower was called Yachtwin. You want a Lightwin on that fishing boat.

                      If you have too many, AND not enough, you're a collector.

                      #209728
                      Mumbles
                      Participant

                        The three horse motors have sleeve style bearings on the crank and they must use a heavier oil mixture in the gas than other motors with ball or needle bearings on the crank. 16:1 is preferred but they will survive on 24:1 if they are babied.

                        • This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by Mumbles.
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