1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

[RickyGee]

I just acquired a Baltik dinghy and a friend offered to sell me his 1957 evinrude 7.5hp fleetwin to go on it. It needs work (the carburator is in a baggie, in pieces) but the pictures show a nice clean motor. So for $100 I might just take on this project. (New coils, condenser, points, wires, plugs, impeller, lower unit oil, carb kit, float, needle and seat - another $200)

But I remember these motors from when I was a kid; stinky, smelly, leaky. Heck, it's almost as old as I am... (also stinky, smelly leaky??...). Pressurized fuel tank means I might need to do a fuel pump mod as well.

I see from the owner's manual that it calls for a 1/2 pint per gallon of oil (16:1), since it has plain bearings. Is that still true with the new synthetic oils? Is there a new 2 stroke oil that will provide adequate lubrication without smoking so badly, or am I just wishful thinking? My friends 2 stroke Seadoo from 1997 never smokes, so I'm hoping there's a miracle happy medium somewhere. Thanks. -Rick

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

no matter what oil you use, stick with the proper ratio for the application. ive had good luck with bombardier/omc outboard motor oil as far as not being as smokey as cheaper brands, and not fouling plugs.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

Synthetics and synth/dino blends do tend to smoke less, but do not be tempted to lean out the mixture. The old Fleetwins and their ilk MUST have the proper volume of oil in the mix, as much for its sealing and cushioning effect in the plain bearings, as for its lubrication qualities.

As for finding a pressure tank, it's not difficult, and can usually be done for the cost of a good fuel pump and associated bits. Despite what some eBay sellers would have you believe, the pressure tanks are not rare. And despite what some might have you believe, they're no more dangerous than regular vented single line tanks.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

I smell a great debate

Agree with sticking to 16:1

I too use the XD series of oil, and highly recommend it. Barely any smoke, and little smell.

 

[HenryB]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

WalMart "SuperTECH" $12 vs. $20 and as good as it gets.

 

[Crosbyman]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

amsoil or XD 100 is not smelly and cleans the innards ....but more expensive.

if you are going to change the impeller you will need a base basket since you must remove the powerhead see great utube video

Dropping the Lower Unit on mid 50's 5.5 and 7.5 Johnsons and Evinrudes - YouTube

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

I smell a great debate

Agree with sticking to 16:1

I too use the XD series of oil, and highly recommend it. Barely any smoke, and little smell.

i hear amsoil is good for anything at any ratio.....arthritis, athletes foot....lol

 

[Greg O.]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

I having been using walmart Super Tech. It smokes less than the Penns oil I used before I bought the wally world brand. The smell I like. Nothing like the smell of the exhaust from a well tuned 2 cycle outboard motor. I want to try the XD oil. Maybe when I use up the Super Tech, 3 quarts yet. Probably enough oil for all summer. You will love the Fleet twin. Very smooth motor. I agree with the 16:1 fuel oil mix.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

Brand doesn't matter much, so long as the ratio is correct 24:1. I like the Wally-world brand too.

 

[RickyGee]

Write something...

 

[RickyGee]

I don't like the new edit feature of this new forum format...It just deleted my message rather than letting me fix some speling...

 

[RickyGee]

Re: 1957 fleetwin - best oil to use?

I smell a great debate

Agree with sticking to 16:1

I too use the XD series of oil, and highly recommend it. Barely any smoke, and little smell.

I love a good debate. Are you referring to XD50 (50% synthetic blend) or XD100 (100% synthectic)? I priced the XD100 and got sticker shock. BRP also markets XPS oil for the 2 stroke Seadoos, XPS is mineral oil and XPS2 is full synthetic. Neither of them references TCW3 on the label. Does the XD oil also not reference TCW3?

My Mastercraft Wetjet PWC with a Yamaha 701 2 stroke seems to like Quicksilver TCW3 the best, least smoking and only moderate plug fouling.

 

[RickyGee]

Well, I pulled the trigger and I'm now the proud owner of a '57 'Rudy. I bought the motor, sight unseen. (Proof positive that God watches over fools...) For $125 I got the motor, a carburator in pieces in a baggie, a filthy but good condition gas tank, a spare gas tank in pieces (a bit rusty inside), and a cast iron stand. I feel like a little kid at Christmas. Here's some pictures "as delivered".

It seems to have good compression, but I haven't measured it yet. Paint is scuffed, nicked and scratched as you might expect from a half century of providing fun, but no corrosion, cracks or dents, and the rubber looks like new. I'm going to have some fun with this, getting it back into service.

 

[RickyGee]

No Title

Well, I pulled the trigger and I'm now the proud owner of a '57 'Rudy. I bought the motor, sight unseen. (Proof positive that God watches over fools...) For $125 I got the motor, a carburator in pieces in a baggie, a filthy but good condition gas tank, a spare gas tank in pieces (a bit rusty inside), and a cast iron stand. I feel like a little kid at Christmas. Here's some pictures "as delivered".

It seems to have good compression, but I haven't measured it yet. Paint is scuffed, nicked and scratched as you might expect from a half century of providing fun, but no corrosion, cracks or dents, and the rubber looks like new. I'm going to have some fun with this, getting it back into service.

 

[RickyGee]

No Title