Minimum Cranking Amps for older Evinrude

[Sacto John]

I know most of the new motors require a minimum amount of cranking amps to start the motor, does a 1974 85 HP have the same kind of requirements? The reason I ask is my old motor will not start. I took it out one weekend after changing the plugs and it started right up next weekend it will not start. I checked the fuel lines and they were fine. It seems as if the plugs are not sparking (I pulled them out of the motor and grounded them to the block to see it they were sparking and nada). The battery is old and tired (it only took about 5 minutes of trying to start the boat for it to go dead after charging all night) could the battery be the problem? I am not going to put any more money and time into the old motor than I have to but if I just need to replace the cranking battery I will.

[RUSTY63]

We could use your model number to better answer your question.

[Sacto John]

Here is the model # 85493 B
and the Serial # 10009760

[TritonAL 186]

If you're not getting a spark, it's definetly not the battery. I don't know much about the 70's outboards, but in most cases , it's either the stator or the packs if you're not getting a spark in all cylinders. If only one or two are not sparking, it could be a coil or two. On the cranking amps issue, I believe it's 550 cca.

PS. John will help you out, I hear good things about him, he knows his stuff.