Tower of Power

[BigE]

Adamleah
I hear ya , was at work and wishin I was fishin. there always next weekend. bit the bullet and ordered a new trailer should arrive next week, ready for the big tow north (Bowen) in april. Mounted the chartplotter on Sat.
when's the pool party?

BigE

[googarra]

Great old motor. They go like the clappers, whatever that is?

My saying on these motors, or any old outboard, is that they "rot out before they wear out'

If she runs well, just treat it right with good oil and maintainance and it will live up to its name.

They are thirsty, give it to them and 1km = litre can be expected.

If it is original and well looked after just leave it alone, as soon as you start dismantling and playing with it you will kill it with kindness

just my 10 cents

[BigE]

Thanks Googarra that seems to be the general consence if there good leave em alone and service them reglarly. it got great power for a 115 hp I'm sure it got more grunt than the cowl sticker. any one have any recommendations on the best two stroke oil to use in this style of engine?

BigE

[Argle]

I used to use the Quicksilver oil in both my old 150 blue band and also in my 90hp Merc that was on the last boat. Seems a lot less smokey than some other brands I had used.

Cheers

[Si]

yeah agree, you pay a touch more for it but does seem less smokey. more clarity and a rich blue. buying it in the larger volume containers will save you money in the long run with a thirsty dollar munching engine.

[Noelm]

I was just thinking about the old in line 6 mercs I have had, and then I remembered the stupid cowl system they had, you almost needed a service manual to take it off! I would hate to try it out at sea in some chop! the early ones had a front cover, that was held on by a turn lever handle, with a push and turn action, then the middle section had a series of flip over catches, when this was removed, if you wern't careful, the top section fell off and into the water, it was only held on by a rubber locating thingy!

[Bull]

Very nice looking rig I wouldnt look at replacing the old merc until she starts costing you money

[Argle]

I was just thinking about the old in line 6 mercs I have had, and then I remembered the stupid cowl system they had, you almost needed a service manual to take it off! I would hate to try it out at sea in some chop! the early ones had a front cover, that was held on by a turn lever handle, with a push and turn action, then the middle section had a series of flip over catches, when this was removed, if you wern't careful, the top section fell off and into the water, it was only held on by a rubber locating thingy!

Geez I had forgotten what a pain in the khyber that set up was!! I love the latch system on my Suzuki though

Cheers

[Noelm]

I reckon any other setup is better than the early Merc cowl latch system, a bit of rope or a couple of occy straps over the top would be better, when you see how it is done, it makes you think about the engineering that is inside the motor, if they went to that much trouble for a simple "lid"

[BigE]

Yep
I'm hearing ya with the cowl ...... seem like they didn't want the engine bits to get out or the tinkers to get in ...... Tin cowl just reminds me she's "vintage" .... whatever that means!

Any recommendations on an old school merc workshop who would understand there's no where to plug the laptop into.

BigE

[BM]

They aren't as "old school" as you might think. The ignition system is fundamentally the same as ignition systems today across the board. Stators, triggers, powerpacks/cdm's and coils.

Large dealers will usually limit repairs and servicing to engines about 10 yrs of age or younger. The reason for this is they are easy to work on so therefore easy money. If you find an independant mechanic (not holding a motor franchise) he will likely be happy to work on your engine.

Alternately, learn to work on it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. You would be surprised how little is actually involved in a routine service.

Cheers

[Fed]

You've got the easy tin cowl BigE, the earlier clamshell cowls were a real work of art.
Give it a WOT run from time to time and if you ever see an unexplained decrease in WOT RPM get it checked out straight away.
If you decide to do any work on it yourself a genuine manual will be worth its weight in gold.

[Noelm]

AH, Gees I have some stories about those old motors, some very funny now, but scared the sh!t out of me at the time, everything from fires to flooding carbs.

[BigE]

Hmmmm Fires you say? .... do they go faster on fire? I must say the fuel pan under the carbs does have me worried. ........... how much was that fire extingisher at boat shop?


BigE

[BM]

The fuel drip pan is there to catch the fuel that spills from the carbs when the motor is trimmed right up in the trailering position.