Help identifying and dating a 1920s rowboat motor

[Eric Reutelhuber]

Thanks Joe. No, I have not investigated the wiring yet. Will probably do that tomorrow. Will post what I find. Very odd to say the least.

Rudy

[Sam M.]

Looks like a real fun old motor to play with!  I have an idea for your demontrator markings.  With old Farmall farm tractors (1950s era I think), they painted a few tractors of different models white instead of the usual red.  These were classified as “demonstrator” models, intended to be transported by dealers (who owned them) to potental Farmall buyers’ farms for real working, on the feild, live demonstrations.  I’ll bet your demontrator-marked outboard was used to show how Evinrude motors worked so well to some sort of target audience.  Maybe a dealer or even the manufacturer themselves had this motor and marked it with ‘demonstrator’ so it wouldn’t accidentally be sold as a new motor.  Alternatively, it could have been marked so no one accidentally took a brand new motor to the show (or other event) instead of this one.

I think those markings make your motor particularily unique and historically valuable.  This could be the only one remaining with those ‘demonstrator’ stampings.  I agree with Tubs that your gas tank should NOT be refinished with a new decal.  The original one is in great shape and should be preserved!

Also, please don’t hesitate to ask questions.  AOMCIers will be happy to help😁

[Eric Reutelhuber]

Thank you for the reply Sam.

If it is historically significant and possibly the last of the Mohicans, I would hate to do anything that could affect its historical value, so that you for the advice.

I got this motor from a friend’s father’s house that was about to be demolished. He said he remembered his father having it in the Chicago area where he grew up in the 40’s and 50’s but later moved several times in the following decades ending up in the North Texas area. He was about to let it go with the demolition and I asked if I could have it. My point is I don’t have any monetary or sentimental attachment to the motor, I just thought it was cool and was old and deserved a better ending that being dozed with a house and taken to a dump.

If there was somewhere to donate, like to an Evinrude or Historical Outboard Museum or something, I would. But I don’t know of anywhere like that, so I will steward its current life and maybe try and get running, as long as no one thinks it will harm its historical value.

As always, thanks for the advice.

Rudy

 

[Tubs]

Something you should know about museums. They will take most any donation you offer. Then decide if they want to keep it or not. I have a friend that volunteers at one. He contacted me because they asked if he knew anyone that would be interested in some outboards they want to get rid of. I got them for $50.00 a piece. Be better to find someone, like Sam, whose young, interest in the early stuff, and most likely doesn’t have much to spend. He would love to have it.  

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

[Eric Reutelhuber]

Now that’s kinda depressing to think that something historically relevant and pretty cool like those motor get shown the backdoor like that from a museum. What would have happened if you did buy them? Sad…

Glad you shared that, now I will keep it an get it running and share with the young generation4…that will watch and listen.

I primarily like “refurbishing” old cars/ tractors, old tube radios and jukeboxes but have done a couple of old outboards. Just none this old. I like fixing old things and giving them another functional life with another generation.

I consider myself young, if you can call 60 young. I am just blessed that a family friend who was a WWII radioman taught me tube theory at a young age (13) and later had a mentor in the jukebox world that taught me the mechanical side of things before he retired from a 50+ year career. It is a fun hobby, fixing things.

This group will have to be my mentor in this latest adventure.

Thanks again for all your help.

Rudy

[Eric Reutelhuber]

Ok, I have some disassembly and have more questions.

Firstly, I am not sure if this motor was run very much at all. See the below picts of how clean everything is (intake and carb) and it has not been serviced or anything else that the previous owner can ever recall. It has been in storage (basements and garages) for over 70+ years. All the bolts (including spark plugs) came out relatively easily and without penetrating oil. Highly unusual, at least for me with old outdoor equipment.

I have continuity and resistance (2.3 and 2.5) across coils. Points look clean and not pitted; move easily. Sparkplug (Champion OCOM) electrodes look cleaner and better that the ones I pulled out of my mower this season after two years of service.

[Eric Reutelhuber]

Clean carb

[Eric Reutelhuber]

More clean carb

[Eric Reutelhuber]

The really curious part is the electrical connector below. The left prong on the left side has continuity to a 2 inch deep connector labeled “Lights” and another 2 inch deep connector on other side of motor labeled “IGN”

[Eric Reutelhuber]

Lights connector plug

[Author]

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