1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

[pbeamtn]

I have a 1955 Fleetwin 7.5hp that I am resurrecting. It has been in storage for a number of years, became a home to a great many insects, my brother started a rebuild, got distracted, and now I am attempting to get it running again.

Wbeaton has been very kind to share a parts manual with me, which has been very helpful, but now I'm stuck on the all important crankcase water seal. Since I didn't take the unit apart, I'm not sure what the parts actually look like.

I know I do not have the drive shaft drive pin (303261). Is this something I can get at a hardware store (or Lowe's) or is it something special? I have been unable to cross this to a NAPA part number.

I have a couple of pictures of my remaining parts. I hope they show enough detail. The parts are numbered as they appear on page 5 of the parts manual. I am confident about 6 (303327), 5 (303357), and 2 (30356). I appear to not have o-ring 3 (303347).

I have a piece that I think is (4). It is made of something that is not metal or plastic. It has a raised section in the middle that shows some wear. But, from the picture in the manual, I can't tell if this is it or not. (I also can't tell how this part should be oriented.)

Is the washer on top made of cork? This would be part 1 (303355). I have a cork washer that appears the proper size. I'm guessing this is it, but I also have a rubber washer that is about the same size. (I'm thinking the rubber one may be the seal on the glass bowl at the bottom of the carb.)

Thanks for any help you can give on "Name that part."

Paul

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

#4 is for your carb filter bowl. The real number 4 is made of carbon and is attached. The seal as it should sit upon on roll is in the other attached photo. Is your #6 brass or carbon (plastic-like).

 

[pbeamtn]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

That's helpful. From your photo, what I thought was #6 is actually #4.

I'm not so sure about the carb bowl. Your picture is better than mine, and the part I originally thought was #4 looks a lot like your #1. (It was also on #2 when I found it, which I thought was just coincidence, but it appears the disassembler actually had a plan.)

This just leaves me lacking #3 and #6.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

I thought your #4 looked like the carbon seal (#6). Your #1 is right. Mine is old and worn out. Your #4 is for the filter bowl.

 

[pbeamtn]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

Next question. The carb bowl has no filter, no filter stud, and no filter nut -- parts 53 , 54, and 55 on page 8 are missing. I'm not sure these parts were ever on this motor since we have owned it. I have been able to track down the parts at Crowley Marine -- their search by manufacturer's part # is the best I have found -- but it is about $17. Is this going to be better than an after market in-line filter?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

I can't say if it'll be better since I don't use aftermarket filters. I would rather have the original parts since the motor was designed to use them and I like things original. I'd also be concerned about fuel flow through the aftermarket filter as I've heard people complain about fuel starvation with the wrong size filter screen.

 

[pbeamtn]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

Found this great site which I had not found before. For posterity: http://www.crowleymarine.com/brp_parts/diagrams/32483.cfm

This is the complete parts diagram and prices for the Fleetwin gear case. This will add context to our previous discussion since the numbers correspond.

#1 is cheap and there is no reason to not replace it. #6 is a tad painful.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

I paid $17 for a new carbon seal a couple years ago. A few weeks later I got a couple parts motors that had the complete assembly. I sure wish I hadn't bought that seal then. Now I try to keep a complete parts motor or two on hand for all of my motors.

 

[pbeamtn]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

OK, it has been a couple of weeks, but I have most of the parts now. I have disassembled and cleaned the carburetor, and now I have a new problem. On Page 8 of the parts manual, I do not have parts 27 and 29, the stops for the low speed and high speed adjustment knobs. 29, 203465 is not available from my search. So, how important are these parts? I seem to recall that we used to have some trouble with these knobs rotating on their own during operation. Do these stops provide friction on the shafts as well? Any ideas?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

You don't need them. They just stop the knobs from rotating too far. I'd expect the only way to get them is to buy a used air silencer that still has them. Personally, I wouldn't bother unless you intend to enter this motor in a show.

 

[pbeamtn]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

Thanks. I only intend to enter this into the water. Hopefully, it will get me back home.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

I find the stops always get in my way! I prefer not to have them there. If the needle is turning that far, you have other issues... Usually just tightening up the nut will hold them snug.

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1955 Fleetwin 7.5 7518 rebuild project

Those stops get in my way too. I took mine off and have had no problem. Tighten up those nuts on the high and low speed adjustment nobs and that will hold them in place.