Hello everyone! I have just recently purchased my first boat, a 1963 Lone Star 12' aluminum rowboat, along with a Minn Kota electric trolling motor of unknown year, and the coolest thing in my opinion, a 1949 Good Year "Sea Bee" 5.0 HP 2-stroke outboard motor, all for $400. Everything is in good condition due to the previous owner's care, but my main focus is on the outboard, which the previous owner had bought brand new, only used a handful of times and kept in good storge conditions. What can you tell me about the equipment I purchased? I have done the service work on the outboard (cleaning, replaceing SAE 90 Hypoid oil, checking for function, etc.) and mixed the gas correctly, but I have failed to start it after 2 hours of trying. I checked my spark plugs and they are black, so I think that may be the problem, as they are the original plugs, after all, but could it be something else? Also, I would like to repaint the exterior of my boat a nice shade of blue, and the interior gray, what kind of paint should I use? Any help is appreciated, and I will post pictures sometime soon.

Welcome to the forums and congrats on your boat! You are probably on the right track with the plugs. If possible, try and drain any old gas from the motor. As far as painting, check the posts in this thread and don't be afraid to go back a few pages as this subject has been discussed many times! Tom

It could be several things, but a good place to start is spark (coils) do you have any?  The 2nd thing I'd look into is the carb. It may need rebuilding and/or your reed valves may be stuck. For a motor that old you may need a skilled outboard mechanic look at it.

Hi, Always start with the simplest possible problem, which in this case would be the spark plugs. if they are black replace them. Connect the new plugs and check to see if you are getting a spark (you can google how to do that). If you are getting a spark and it still doesn't start then your problem may be fuel related or bad compression. A lot of auto part stores will help with free trouble shooting diagnostics, they would probably check your compression if you don't have a gauge. If you are not getting any spark at all, then your problem is electrical. bad wires or coil. Good luck.

OK I know this is months later but - start with Spark Plugs and Fuel Filter.  Check the fuel lines and connections (does the ball pump up and stay hard?  Seafoam in the fuel will help after the fact to clean everything out (I use it every tank).  For the carb you can try using Liquid B-12 - spray carb to clean it out (you could use this in fuel rather then seafoam) - Have never used the B-12 but know a few people who said it works wonder on a gumed up carb. 

do what big edv said and that dont work take the carbrater off its not to hard just watch how you take them off and check the flots thay some times stick hold them up side doun if thay dont move real ezey spray them with carb cllener then put a drop off 3 and 1 oil on the little pin that goes in and out and work real easy tell its real free that might help