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??