1957 Fleetwin Problems

[samo_ott]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

That's good news. Did you sand the head on a piece of glass? That's recommended to get it real flat. And once the head is re-torqued, fire her up. No waiting.

I was out in my 1950 7.5 (M#4434) today for the first time this season and it ran well. I think it needs a carb kit though

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Yeah, I sanded it on a piece of glass, so it should be good and flat. I still need to do a little more sanding on it. What grade of sand paper should I finish up with? I've been using 220, but I was wondering if I should use something higher like 320 or something. So, as soon as I get the new gasket on Thursday, I'll install it and see how it runs.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

I'd definitely go up to 320 or even 400 grit. It wouldn't hurt to go even higher to take out those tiny scratches.
JMO,
JBJ

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Cool man, thanks!

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Ok, I've got my new head gasket from NAPA. My service manual says I should tourque the cylinder head bolts to 60 - 84 inch pounds. I can't find a tourque wrench that will measure that low in inch pounds. Is it possible to convert inch pounds into foot pounds?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Sure. Just divide by 12. However, a foot-pound torque wrench isn't accurate at that low a torque. See if you can borrow an inch-pound wrench, or just buy an inexpensive one. You'll find other uses for it, I guarantee.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

One other method you can use, if you have a fishing scale. Take a ratchet handle or a short breaker bar with a hole in the end of the handle. Measure the length from the center of the socket drive fitting to the hole, then divide your torque spec by that number of inches. Hook the scale's hook in the hole and pull until you get to that reading in pounds. Make sure the scale is at right angles to the handle of the tool while you pull.

This is how a lot of inch-pound torques are done in the home shop, and the technique works fine.

When torquing a head, work slowly, in the pattern laid out in your manual. I like to tighten the bolts in three steps.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

One other method you can use, if you have a fishing scale. Take a ratchet handle or a short breaker bar with a hole in the end of the handle. Measure the length from the center of the socket drive fitting to the hole, then divide your torque spec by that number of inches. Hook the scale's hook in the hole and pull until you get to that reading in pounds. Make sure the scale is at right angles to the handle of the tool while you pull.

This is how a lot of inch-pound torques are done in the home shop, and the technique works fine.

When torquing a head, work slowly, in the pattern laid out in your manual. I like to tighten the bolts in three steps.

That's very ingenious, however, I just use a torque wrench I got on sale for $20. You may not need it much, but you'll always have it when you need it.

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

I found a conversion chart. 60 to 84 in. lbs. converts to about 6 to 7 ft. lbs.

I replaced my head gasket. The motor runs on 2 cylinders now! Woohoo! It sounds a lot better. It still doesn't have good compression. It has 60 in the top and 54 in the bottom. But I kind of wonder if my compression tester is not working right on this motor because I can't screw it in all the way or else it hits the pistin. I may need to try a different compression tester.

The motor does smoke quite a bit. I used to use 50:1 in it because the guy I bought it from told me to run it on that, but I learned from this forum that it requires 16:1. This is the first time I've run it on 16:1.

Anyway, I was going to take it out on the water today, but as I was pulling the starter rope to test compression, the rope broke. So I spent the rest of the evening battleing with the wind up spring in the eas-o-matic starter. But, I got all that put back together. I'll take it out on the water tomorrow and see how it runs.

I do need to replace the starter rope and the handle. Does anyone know where I might be able to find a replacement? My service manual says the rope needs to be a certain length and size. Can you still order these specific starter ropes?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

The fuel mix is 24:1. Using synthetic outboard oil will greatly decrease the smoke and oily sheen left on the water.

You need a new tester. However, that motor can run down to that compression. Any lower though and it'll be hard to start and run poorly. I doubt your compression is that low. The tester needs to make a good seal.

The rope is nothing special. You can still get it at your dealer. I could look up the rope diameter if you like, but the best thing to do is to take in your old rope (if its no good) and they can size it from that. If the handle is shot you can get a new replacement from Peter at nymarine.ca. However, the handle portion detaches from the rope. You need to stick a standard screw driver in the end and pop out the rope anchor.

As a side note, I just finished working a 1958 Fleetwin. Now I'm looking forward to a nice run on the lake tomorrow morning.

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Are you sure it's 24:1? I got 16:1 from this Thread dated November 9, 2007 called "7.5 hp 1957-56 Fleetwin"

This is the link to it:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=227549&highlight=1957+fleetwin+mix

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

That's very ingenious, however, I just use a torque wrench I got on sale for $20. You may not need it much, but you'll always have it when you need it.

Well, I do too. I have a couple...one for ft-lb and one for in-lb. But, it happens a lot that folks don't have one when they're working on their garage sale or dumpster outboard. If they have a fish-scale, though, they're set for smaller bolts and nuts.

I learned the trick when I was an impoverished college student with a little two-stroke motorcycle. The guy at the motorcycle shop explained it to me, and it worked very well.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Are you sure it's 24:1? I got 16:1 from this Thread dated November 9, 2007 called "7.5 hp 1957-56 Fleetwin"

This is the link to it:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=227549&highlight=1957+fleetwin+mix

As you can see by that thread there is a lot of debate over old oil ratios. Use what you want. 16:1 won't hurt, but you may foul plugs more often. The manufacturer (BRP) now recommends 24:1. I'll leave it to you to do your own research into the issue.

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

It probably doesn't matter between 16:1 and 24:1 but I'll bet that both are a heck of a lot better for the motor than running 50:1 like I've been doing. Just out of curiousity, where did you find out that the manufacturer (BRP) now recomends 24:1? My service manual says mix 1/2 pt of oil to each gal. of gas, which is 16:1. But that manual was printed in 1955 (before my motor was even built).

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

I learned the trick when I was an impoverished college student with a little two-stroke motorcycle. The guy at the motorcycle shop explained it to me, and it worked very well.

By the way, CATransplant, I'm an impoverished college student with quite a bit of student loans! haha

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Just out of curiousity, where did you find out that the manufacturer (BRP) now recomends 24:1?

It used to be in the FAQ's on their website, but I can't seem to find it now.

Just found it...Its been revised again! now everything before 1958 get's 20:1. Used to be everything before 1964 got 24:1. So even 50 years later they can't make up their minds! Of course, the 1958 & 1957 Fleetwins are mechanically so that doesn't really make a lot of sense either.

http://www.evinrude.com/en-CA/About.Us/FAQ/Oil.Fuel.htm?popup=true#Q2

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Hey, thanks a lot for that info! I'm going to run the motor out on the Cape Fear River later today. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[BSDenning]

Re: 1957 Fleetwin Problems

Update!

I just got off the river. The motor runs great! It uses a lot more gas when it runs on 2 cylinders. I ran out of gas out on the river! LOL I had to use the trowling motor to get back to the boat ramp. It took an hour and a half. But anyway, I'm very happy with the performance of the motor. Thanks everyone for all your help.