Ted Williams Outboard Questions

[k2sno070]

Hello everyone,

I recently inherited a free Sears Gamefisher Ted Williams edition boat.  Overall the boat and motor appear to be in great shape, however, I am having a hard time finding out a lot of information about this particular motor and was hoping I could get some help on here.

Model #: 217/58631-1

Serial#: 6D 112264

The engine appears to have all of the parts and it does turn over.  However, I am unable to get a spark currently and am afraid it may be the ignition coils.  I have read on other platforms that these are a common issue with these motors and parts are incredibly hard to come by.

The question(s) I have for you all is this:

1. Is there a way for me to tell the HP rating?  The stickers are no longer on the engine cover.
2. Is there an effective way for me to check the coils to see if they are working without attempting to just get a spark on the plugs?
3. Is there a way to bypass the ignition coil system in the event I can’t find replacement parts?
4. Is it really even worth my time trying to get this engine to work lol…

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I understand it is a free boat and I expected to have some issues getting the motor up and running again, I just want to make sure I am not wasting too much time on something that may better be served as an anchor.  Also, my wife is already adamantly opposed to the “free” boat (she obviously knows better lol), so purchasing another motor really isn’t an option for me right now.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Dante

[billw]

Seems like it is 15 hp? Here is the closest thing I could find on Sears Parts Direct.  It has the “217-58631” part of your model number. Interesting that they call it a Craftsman Outboard Motor now.

 

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/model/2tzrlkr2eg-000247/craftsman-217586310-boating-parts?page=4

 

I never had one of those, myself and have never seen one run, either. Getting one to run….by somehow modifying or replacing the very problematic ignition system….would be a great personal challenge for me. Where there is a will, there is a way. However, would it be worth it, from a financial aspect? No frigging way. Even if you did get it to run, it would still be only worth what you paid for it. Zero.

Long live American manufacturing!

[Buccaneer]

Found this thread on the Net…….

https://www.justanswer.com/boat/2el85-ted-williams-outboard-motor-15-h-p-twin-cylinder.html

Prepare to be boarded!

[Steve A W]

The 217 prefix equates to Eska as the manufacturer.

You can try that avenue for parts.

My Daddy taught us “Aint nothin free”

Good luck

Member of the MOB chapter.
I live in Northwest Indiana

[seakaye12]

Yes as you have read;  the ignition on those is weak and prone to failure.   They are VERY sensitive to being pulled over with the spark plug wires dis-connected.  DO NOT EVER DO THAT.  Ignition failure follows.  Always have the spark plug leads grounded.

There have been some “electronics engineer” types in the past that have figured out fixes for those.  There used to be a Yahoo group called “The Eska Connection” or similar where a few folks swapped theories and procedures to get the ignition system working again.  Not something that the average boater would want to tackle.

Some people have found help at a friendly lawnmower shop.  Some cross-over with ignition systems but not a sure thing by any means.

Here’s a website that seems to have some parts for your engine:

https://thebrazilianconnection.com/89s15parts.html

In the meantime….go through all the wiring and clean up each and every connection.  You might get lucky.

[amuller]

Good advice from seakaye12.

Tecumseh made the engines, Eska made the rest.  Probably most were sold by Sears with their branding.  Sadly, Eska, Tecumseh, and Sears have all pretty much faded away.  I have one of these with no spark that I’ve never messed with, but I am pretty sure it could be gotten going with some improvisation in the ignition department, and they are kind of interesting motors as the only multi-cylinder, water cooled motors ever made by Tecumseh/Eska.

I think, but am not sure, that these use rotary valves rather than the usual reed  valves.  I also think they were not recommended for salt water use.

Good luck with yours.

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