Power Head Cross Reference for 1958 Evinrude Fisherman 5516

[Mike Nazarenko]

Purchased a 1958 Evinrude Fisherman 5.5 hp 5516 earlier this year and rebuilt all the consumables (my 3rd rebuild): magneto, water pump and lower unit. Engine was in good shape. After the rebuild could not get it started, very hard to pull. Thought it was just stiff from sitting. No inertia in the flywheel, or as some have said “doesn’t spin as it should”.

After extensive troubleshooting with an AOMCI friend here in Rochester and FrankR online it was determined that water had seeped into the bottom of the power head through the gaskets on the driveshaft then sat for awhile, then rusted, ran when rusted which destroyed the journals. The result is 2 bad connecting rod bushings in the power head.  Pistons and rings are ok.

Option #1

Cost for 2 connecting rods plus gaskets about $120 and that assumes no additional damage attaching the new connecting rods to the piston which some in this forum have said is difficult.

Option #2

Power heads on EBay are in the $100 to $200 range.  The issue is that not all of the units on EBay are the same year as my engine.  I have read that power heads from other years and make (Johnson) may be substituted. I don’t have that list.

I would like to get this engine running and not part it out.  The condition of everything else is very good.  Carb, gear case, new water pump, rewind coil and cowl and paint.

Looking for help in determining which power heads would fit onto my engine. 

Is there anyone that has a power head for this engine? 

T

 

• This topic was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by seakaye12.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by Mike Nazarenko.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by Mike Nazarenko.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by Mike Nazarenko.

[fleetwin]

OK, well 56-58 Evinrude/Johnson powerheads will fit.  You may have to reuse your original Evinrude cylinder head and intake cover if you find a Johnson powerhead due to the different cowl mounting styles.  Older Johnson 5.5hp powerheads will not fit due to different water passages where the powerhead mates to the midsection.  Newer 5.5hp powerheads will not fit because they have a cylinder head with a thermostat.

The problem with buying something used is that you don’t know if you are getting something that is in much better condition than what you have, so don’t pay alot because it is a gamble.  I would pull the cylinder head and intake manifold cover off along with the intake bypass covers anything you buy so you can inspect it before going through all the trouble to install it.  The ebay prices you quote seem pretty expensive.  I would not pay that much unless they are “guaranteed and returnable”.   I wouldn’t spend all that money trying to repair what you have either, it probably needs a new crankshaft along with two new rods.

Maybe you can put an ad in the classified section here, hopefully someone will respond with something more affordable.

[crosbyman]

my beauty seems to have similar symptoms….a bit hard to  pull over …hope the  sickness is not identical 🙁

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[Mike Nazarenko]

Agree with your assessment and “the devil you know is better than the one you don’t”.

As I see it there are two obstacles for fixing my current power head, fixing the bushing on the crankcase and assessing and repairing the damage on the crankshaft. I am assuming I can safely remove the connect rods and install onto new ones.

The bushing has some dis colorization,  the crank shaft has some scratching on it.  What determines if they are beyond repair and what can I do to repair each one.

Please, your advice here and thank you for your response.

 

[frankr]

Without having the crankshaft in hand, I advised him that I think it can be polished up ok.  Same for the lower main bushing.  For sure, it needs a couple of connecting rods.  With those, I think that motor can run again.  As said, I don’t have it in hand.  Opinions may vary

Frank

[Mike Nazarenko]

Thank you Frank.

Some questions:

1. Is there any technique or special tools for removing and installing the piston to the connecting rods.  Did a lawn tractor past summer and it was just removing the retaining pin and tapping out the pin.
2. For the piston rings – – to reuse the end gap has to be .005 – .0015 from the Evinrude service manual, if not then new rings. Correct.
3. Are there any specs for the crankshaft – – I did not see any.

Thank you.

[seakaye12]

Mike….I for one cannot see your pictures.  Can others see them?

[Steve A W]

Nope

Member of the MOB chapter.
I live in Northwest Indiana

[frankr]

Mike had sent me the pictures via a PM when all this started.  But they have disappeared from there also.

[ede]

Mike, Send me an email regarding rod replacement.  Ed Elliott   eddelliott@cox.net

[Author]

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