Home Forum Ask A Member 1946 Evinrude Zephyrs

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  • #293651
    Edwin Howard
    Participant

      US Junior Member

      I was doing some research on Evinrude Zephyrs, as I about to receive one. From what I have seen, the weedless/angled drive zephyrs do not have a separate pipe for the exhaust, letting them be rotated 180 degrees to enter reverse like many direct drive outboards. I am getting one with a standard 90 degree gearbox and a separate pipe for the exhaust. Am I correct that the additional pipe will prohibit the motor from rotating 180 degrees, therefore prohibiting going in reverse? Are there any important thing I should know about a 1946 Zephyr?

      #293656
      labrador-guy
      Participant

        US Member

        Ed I will try to tell you what I know about these 4 banger rudes.  Post war models are usually 4404 model number.  I have two of them.  By serial number one is a 1946 the other is a 1948.  At first glance they look the same but on close inspection the transom clamps are different the fuel tanks are different the water tubes are different the tilt pin is different.  One has a twist grip the other does not.  I think OMC was getting rid of old parts.  The weedless lower unit and it’s ability to spin 180 degrees is only on the 1949 model.   They can be good runners but they can be temperamental too!   I will try to post a picture in another post.

        dale

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        #293657
        Edwin Howard
        Participant

          US Junior Member

          Thanks for the info so far! I have heard that the 1949 is the only model year to have a rubber impeller. Is this correct, and what do the other years have for a water pump?

          #293659
          labrador-guy
          Participant

            US Member

            Ed I don’t know about the ’49s but the earlier two I have, have a two impeller aluminum deal.  My motors could be a mix and match.  Meaning they were the same for so many years that parts might have gotten mixed up.  When they run they are quiet and smooth.  Very important to keep the fuel clean!   This picture shows the difference in the transom clamps and the twist grip.  One gas tank is tin the other is cast aluminum.

            good luck with yours

            dale

            IMG_0022-001

            #293663
            Edwin Howard
            Participant

              US Junior Member

              Thanks, I’m definitely going to need that luck. It’s 2 1946 zephyrs, one has a good gear case and carb but a locked up piston or 4. The other one has a good powerhead, but bad carb and has something wrong with the drive shaft. There’s also a  box of parts that don’t go to these 2, but they are zephyr parts. Between the 2 I can hopefully get something good.

              Edwin

              #293665
              joecb
              Participant

                US Member

                Just a wood of caution relative to fuel system and ignition. These motors have a unique and rather complicated fuel/ carburetor system. The four cylinder ignition and associated spark plug wires and spark plug terminals are all neatly packed within the front shroud ALONG with that fuel system. Ensure that both fuel and high voltage systems are intact. NO leaks of either fuel or spark allowed under that shroud. Combustion outside of the cylinders is not a good thing.

                These are fun motors.  If this is your first venture in the old outboard world just proceed slowly, seek advice when needed.

                Keep us informed of your progress.

                Joe B

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                #293699
                george-emmanuel
                Participant

                  US Member

                  Everyone,

                  Edwin is my grandson, and age 14 I bought him a Jr. Membership. He’s really gotten the bug and has done a Mighty Mite that had a broken carb flange….It now runs great.. The 2 Zephyrs will certainly be a challenge for him, so any advice is well appreciated as those motors are way newer than what I tinker with. He has a Johnson 3 I picked up that we went through and he ran it for 8 miles!

                  This is what the club is about, —members helping member!

                  George Emmanuel

                  Treasurer

                  #293701
                  labrador-guy
                  Participant

                    US Member

                    Everyone,

                    Edwin is my grandson, and age 14 I bought him a Jr. Membership. He’s really gotten the bug and has done a Mighty Mite that had a broken carb flange….It now runs great.. The 2 Zephyrs will certainly be a challenge for him, so any advice is well appreciated as those motors are way newer than what I tinker with. He has a Johnson 3 I picked up that we went through and he ran it for 8 miles!

                    This is what the club is about, —members helping member!

                    George Emmanuel

                    Treasurer

                    George that is really good to know!   Your grand son there has a challenge for sure!  Those carburetors on those Zephyrs are something crazy.  Be sure to heed JB warning about fires.  I will suggest to find some shorty spark plugs maybe J17LM champions or an equivalent.  Also some spark plug hoods for the plug wire ends.  The plugs and wires are to close to the front cover.   Don’t want no sparks in that area!

                    thanks for doing what you do!

                    dale

                    #293702
                    aquasonic
                    Participant

                      US Member

                      When it comes time for carburetor disassembly, there is a separate manual just for the carburetor. From what I have seen it’s much more complicated than your average carb. Hopefully, someone can post that service manual here.

                      #293703
                      seakaye12
                      Participant

                        US Member

                        Here’s a Twin-Z seen at Tomahawk 2024.  Rumor has it there was another one in Connecticut back in the 80’s.

                        Fun Motors.  Looking forward to seeing yours run Edwin…..

                         

                        Twin_Z

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