1983 Evinrude 70 hp (Page 1/1) Csjag JUL 16, 02:00 PM Please don't shoot me for posting this I just bought a 16 ft boat with this motor on it. The motor seemed to run fine when I looked at it at time of purchase. I plan on changing the gear oil, the spark plugs and the water separator filter. I know there are some boat gurus on this forum. Is there anything else I should do before taking it out for the first time? Thanks for any help steve308 JUL 16, 06:51 PM Run it in a 55 gallon bucket or with a lower unit hose water cuff for a half hour so keeping a close eye on the water supply at all times. Be sure the water pump works. tom10122 JUL 18, 12:08 PM Yes water pump and impeller would be something to check out on it. dudewithoutfiero JUL 19, 03:15 PM if it is anything like my old 81 evinrude 70 those motors are tanks! like the others have said check the water pump, better yet change it for piece of mind. the water pump is easy to do and cheap. If you are not going to use it for a while always run the motor out of gas to make sure the carbs do not gum up. other then that those motors last Csjag JUL 19, 04:38 PM Thanks for the info. I ran it yesterday after changing the filter and getting new alcohol free gas. Couldn't believe how quick she fired up and she ran great and pumped water fine. Let her run for about 10 minutes. Plan on cranking her up once a week until I get her registered and take her out.