And now for something completely different.

[Tubs]

This is a first for me. Being I have it, I thought I’d look. Nothing it the manual. 

 

 

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

[PM T2]

I’ve seen this a few times. I actually have a couple of Caille rowboat motor flywheels that have received this treatment. Don’t usually see it on Evinrude or Eltos tho.

I don’t know what the logic behind it is because if there is a new slot cut into the flywheel hub but the original keyway location in the crankshaft doesn’t change to suit then I don’t see how the timing would ever allow the motor to start. Its the reason that Johnson crankcases had the arrow cast into them, to make sure you had the keyway in the correct orientation when assembling the powerhead.

I would state the incredibly obvious, which is that putting it on one way will give you spark at the right time, and the other way won’t. can’t even venture a guess as to why its got two key slots. All the key slot really does is ensure proper timing so as the automotive folks like to say,  this Foldlight flywheel has a built-in failure mode.

Is there any sign of a weld repair and machining on the crankshaft taper? One possibility is if the taper was welded up and the keyway cut into the wrong position. You might have to compare it to a known good OMC twin crankshaft to figure that one out. Just something to look into.

Best,
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...

[Michael Anfossi]

probably used on more than one model and they have the coils if different locations

[Gary H.]

According to the literature that Tubs posted, it says: “ When the flywheel comes off, use care not to lose the KEYS by which the flywheel is held in engagement with the shaft.”  This would make me believe  that 2 keys were used to hold the flywheel on the crankshaft originally. Does the engine this flywheel is used on have 2 slots cut in the crankshaft?

I am not familiar with running engines in reverse without a shift lever and gearbox.  I believe old engines can be run in reverse the way they are set up by moving timing lever in opposite direction.  If one wanted to run the engine in reverse the whole time, and the crankshaft had only one slot cut into it, would switching the key to the other slot make it run better?  That thought entered my mind but I don’t really know much about it. I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to explain yes or no.

[PM T2]

There may be two keys on the crankshaft but they will not be 180 degrees opposite of each other, they’ll be lined up end to end.

It was common for engine manufacturers of that era to combine two short keys on the crankshaft instead of one really long one. The Johnson light twins were always built that way.

This flywheel is an anomaly. It isn’t normal. I doubt it came from the factory that way. If you’ve ever read any of Jim Webb’s articles that were published in the Outboarder, you’d believe that a part like that wouldn’t be allowed to leave the factory if Ole Evinrude had anything to say about it. If it wasn’t correctly made, he’d want it scrapped.

Best
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...

[Tubs]

 

 

This is what is happening under the flywheel. I positioned the pistons at TDC, just so I know where they are at, and moved the magneto plate to where the points are just opening, when the spark will be produced. Using keyway position 2, the leading edge of the magnet is just a few degrees before the center of the coil.  Using keyway position 1, the leading edge of the magnet is about 25 degrees before the center of the coil.  I don’t see any evidence of the crankshaft being repaired.  Video link-  https://youtu.be/sKLxVxbLGD8  Soon as I can get back out there (old people stuff) I want to see which keyway it will run on.  

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

[Author]

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