Re: Progress so far
 

Steve,

It's just a thought, but what is the piston to wall clearance? This is probably difficult to test since you can't rotate the piston up easily while it's already off of the engine. I assume you're looking the cylinder wall with that piston down in the bottom.

If you have a scar, it's probably an indication that your rings on that piston could be in bad shape and are about to let go. My Johnson had a little sight panel that I could pull off and inspect the rings. When I did, they were loose when I put a tiny flathead screwdriver on to see how tight they were. In short, I had low compression because of a blown head gasket, and when I pulled the head, I found a gouge in the cylinder wall. I could put it back together with a new head gasket and run it, but I felt that the rings would certainly let go and strand me. Obviously it hadn't let go yet, or we'd both be picking out shrapnel.

Just my $.02, but I couldn't risk it. In my case, rebuild kits are about $600 with oversized pistons and all the gaskets and bearings. However, they want $75 a cylinder to hone (assuming it would clean up & that's not even resleeving). Plus, if the head surface is uneven it would need to be milled or decked at an additional cost (unlikely in your case because you didn't blow a head gasket, and the engine doesn't show signs of overheating). This coupled with the fact that you're doing all of the work yourself with no warranty, has lead me to get a rebuilt powerhead. Even a used engine from Ebay or iboats is a black box- who knows what it was used for or how it was maintained.

If we could only find a pair of clean late model 175's to split for cheap....... ;D

bigirishk (Kevin)

Re: Progress so far
 

Flipped engine over tonight to start digging my way into the crankcase. This is the complicated side of the engine. I'm trying to dismantle as little as possible so that I can get it back together.

The line from the oil pump to the intake was only barely attached. I touched it and it fell off!! Glad it happened now and not while it was running!

Lesson learned: inspect everything

Re: Progress so far
 

Took off reed block housing. Reeds etc look like new! Nothing obvious but I'm going to open the crankcase to have look. Something WAS wrong the last time it ran!!

While doing all of this I've found enough small things that would have eventually caused big problems. This in itself amy make the job worth doing.

Re: Progress so far
 

Thought I would give an update. I decided to open the crankcase to have a look. That requires pulling the flywheel. That requires a Mercury flywheel puller, can't use a gear puller because there is no room for the arms. So, off to Bills' Outboard in Hingham to buy one. As I'm pulling into the parking lot, BAM I'm hit broadside by a big Buick. I guess it was my failt, just didn't see them coming. Car is a total loss but nobody injured! Since I was already there I got the puller.

Got the wheel off. Even with the special ($70) puller it wasn't easy. Opened the crankcase today- again nothing obvious. Will start breaking down the cranks tomorrow. What should I look for? Any advice is appreciated.

Re: Progress so far
 

Sorry to hear about the Car!! But at least you got the puller LMFAO

Good luck with the rest!

Re: Progress so far
 

Haven't posted for awhile but have done some more work. Pulled the crankshaft out. One journal is little rough but not too bad. I think polishing it up may do it.

Crank was stamped with "99". I am guessing that that was the last time there was work done.

The crank bottom bearing and the piston wrist bearings on #1 cylinder are pretty rusty. That's the cylinder that had water in it. I'll replace those. This may have been the problem.

The oil pump gear on the crankshaft is prettywell chewed up and will need to be replaced. I am thinking of just removing the pump and going to premix. Any opinions?

Going to buy gaskets and bearings tomorrow and then I'll finish cleaning it up and begin to put things back together.

Re: Progress so far
 

At least if you premix yourself, you never have to worry if the pump is going to STB. Nothing wrong with that and will save you a couple of $$.

Re: Progress so far
 

I haver been per mixing all summer!! It runs well. I have had a small problem with the plugs fouling as the mix is a 50:1 mix all the time and the Yamaha mixes as needed 200:1 to 50:1 so I am running rich if I am not WOT

Re: Progress so far
 

Plugs'll foul but you're not going to blow the motor for lack of oil. ;)

Re: Progress so far
 

This is ture but it cost me $12 evertime I change them which is about every 5th trip. And the aount i have gone out this year it adds up!!
I am going to try to go to a hotter plug??

Re: Progress so far
 

Can't you just keep two sets and alternate cleaning them? I haven't seen them in a while but my dad used to have a spark plug cleaner. It had a small electric motor with soft brass brushes inside and you just stuck the plug in the hole and it came out all spiffy clean. They must still make them, but even if you cleaned in gasoline and wire brushed them yourself, I would think that you'd be able to reuse them a few times.

Re: Progress so far
 

well I have done that in the past and they don't last that long , maybe one or two trips. So as soon as they give me crap I change them.
I am going to be taking it to Jeff for a tune up, water pump, and winter fogging. I don't no how long it has been since this stuff has been done so want to get it out of the way.
I will ask him what he thinks?? I no he wants me to fix the injection system but I don't have the faith that it will work all the time and Blow the engin. If there was a alarm for the system shutting down i would do it.

Re: Progress so far
 

Been quite a while since I last posted. Had some trouble getting parts quickly and as the season ran down, decided to concentrate more on fishing and less on being a mechanic. Also had some employment problems that took most of my attention for a couple of months. But now I'm back working on the engine.

Tore the whole thing down, polished all the journals and replaced any bearings showing wear. Pistons and rings are good and only one cylinder shows very slight scoring due to a stuck ring. I've removed the oil pump and warning module because the oil pump gear on the crankshaft was chewed up. Going to premix.

Finally began reassembly the other day. It's going pretty fast. In just a couple of hours, I put all the pistons and crankshaft in and got the crankcase cover back on. It looks like a engine again.

During the teardown it was obvious that a couple of the spark coils were pretty well corroded and need to be replaced along with ignition wiring. Haven't looked at the carbs but I might rebuild them too.

I'll keep you posted.

Re: Progress so far
 

Sounds great!!
Better hurry up, fishing is just around the corner. At least I like to think so!!
You going to keep that thing moored?? or trailer?? I like to show you and Christen around the Vinyard sometime.

Well keep us posted!!

Re: Progress so far
 

Hi Macojoe,

If you check out Striped-bass.com, you'll see that we haven't stopped fishing (and , at least for Christian, catching) stripers yet. The engine is going back together a lot faster than it came apart- so it will be ready for an early season. Let's just hope it runs when I'm done!

With any luck it will be moored at a yacht club in Boston Habba this year. Cost of theBoston south shore marina it's at now is too high. It's on a trailer which really needs some work before it goes very far. Planning on doing trailer work when boat is in water this summer.

Christian and I would really enjoy hooking up with you this year to check out the Vinyard.

Repirts (AKA Christian's Dad)

Re: Progress so far
 

I left Christian a message saying that hes going to be showing us how to fish soon!! on the SB site.

Well if you can't trailer you can come out on my tub sometime this summer, and I will show you a nice Fluking area around the Vinyard. But you may have to clean the fish gut off your feet before geting in your car? I really don't clean that old tub to much. ::)

Lets no how it comes out!!

Re: Progress so far
 

Can I go on your tub too? huh? Can I, can I? hmmmmm? :-*

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Only if I get some tounge :P

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Ok with that picture in my mind, I won't sleep for a week.

Hi Macojoe,

It was great to talk to you and your daughter last saturday. Worked on the engine when i got home. I'm 99% done. Just going to replace a couple of suspect spark coils and plug wires and I'm done! As soon as it warms up a little I'll the powerhead back on the boat.

Sure hope it starts in the spring but I don't see why it wouldn't.

Re: Progress so far
 

That tongue is why I didn't go to the Plugfest Saturday. :o I was afraid of catching whatever unidentified germs and fluids MJ has been expelling the last few days :-X
I hope it works out for ya Repirts. We'll have to have a Northeast V20 get together on the water this year. ;D

Re: Progress so far
 

That sounds great!!

Re: Progress so far
 

I've had to run mine on the trailer from time to
time to make adjustments and check operation.
It's far easier to do next to the shop, vs being out
in a remote launch ramp.

I like the Racor fuel water seperator filter. It's
expensive, but you can clearly see the water
acumilation in the lexan bowl. I've always had
some water in my gas due to condensation.

Re: Progress so far
 

Well the engine finally totally done! Replaced one badly corroded spark coil and the starter solenoid. Looks like I'll be moving the boat this year to a yacht club. Should save some money compared to the the marina. Not quite as convenient getting to boat but quicker to fishing so it should work out well. Really do need to save some $$ his year since I got laid off in October after 26 years with the same company. Got a good severance package so i'm not broke. But, gotta save my pennies anyway.

I'm looking to put the power head back on in April and, weather permitting, do some spring cod and mackeral fishing in Boston Habba. Plan to spend this coming year figuring out how i want to set up the boat. probably will replace the port lounge seat with a pilot seat mounted on live well or tackle storage. No lounging allowed, just fishing!

Just finished two martinis so I'm feeling pretty talkative. So I'll tell you a little about myself.

Some of you may know my son and me from the Striped-bass.com web site or the MSBA. He's "Christian" and I'm "repirts" ( better known as christian's Dad). My real name is Steve. We have done a lot of surf casting but since we bought the wellcraft last year we will probably be doing a lot more from the boat this coming season.

If you know Christian from the other site you will know the stiff competition I'm up against. One way or another he always outfishes me. Either bigger or more or bigger and more. i just can't win. Just a couple of weeks ago he took a keeper striper though the ice! But, this year dammit, I'm going to beat him!!

Re: Progress so far
 

Repirts, what yacht club are you going to be at? I fish the harbor quite a bit as well but I'll be trailering. I use the Wessagusett Ramp in Weymouth.
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you or Christian yet but maybe sometime this coming season. Christian seems like a good kid and you must be proud of him. He's well on his way to becoming quite a seasoned fisherman and skilled plug maker. He's very intuitive for a young person. More so than many people twice his age.
Looking forward to seeing you guys on the water.

Re: Progress so far
 

Hi Chumbucket,

Right now the boat is just up 3A from you at Town River. I'll be moving it to the other side of the harbor. The club is Jefferies in East Boston right next to the air port. A bit of a pita to go thru the tunnel but you can't beat the $$ and I also have a good friend who runs a boat out of there. Easy access to the airport flats and the Deer Island rips.

Christian and I would like to get together with you thsi summer on the water. Thanks fro the kind words about Christian - he really is a great kid (young man).

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Don't go with CB,!! I still have to give him some fishing leassons first!! ;D

Re: Progress so far
 

Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. How you feeling, you mangy POS?

Re: Progress so far
 

;D Put the power head back on this week. Started it up today!!! Sounds and runs much better. Still idles a little rough so I'll get it tuned up. Saved enough $$ rebuilding to it so I'm going to have the tune up done at a shop. Someone told me about a good merc repair in Everet but I forgot the name. Anyone here know it?

Re: Progress so far
 

Iwas just thinking about you the ither day! And was wondering how you made out?
Well there something to be said that you were able to tear it down and put it back toghter and have it run at all!!
Thats great!!!
If it was I, it would have blown up in my face~! :o
I am sure it will be fine!! And buy taking it to someone for a tune uo is great cause they will be able to look at everything and see if you missed anything!!
I am sure you will be fine!!
I hope to see ya on the water this summer!

Re: Progress so far
 

Congrats repirts!!

The merc shop in everett is

MC LELLAN BROTHERS
158 CHELSEA ST
EVERETT, MA 02149
Phone 617-389-5508

Re: Progress so far
 

Macojoe - a couple of anxious moments holding my breath until it caught. Felt relly good when it did and didn't blowup.

Bigshrimpin - ya that's the place. I'll call tomorrow. Thanks

Re: Progress so far
 

:) :D ;D

Pulled the boat out of the marina the other day and brought it home to do some spring cleaning. Called the shop about a tuneup and they couldn't get me in for a couple of weeks. So, got the manual out again and did it myself. Runs really well now. Tune up is really easy if you have a timing light left over from when you could actually work on your own car.

Moved to the yacht club in East Boston. Pretty nerve wracking pulling it thru the city and the Ted Williams tunnel-but no prblem.

Got the bottom painted and the boat on the mooring yesterday. Ran it around the harbor - runs GREAT!

Keeping my fingers crossed but I seem to be on my way.

Now I'm thinking about picking up a broken down kicker engine to rebuild over next winter!

Re: Progress so far
 

Sounds great!!
But you are getting a little cocky now!! Going to rebuild a kicker now!!

Only kidding. Good job!!