1959 3hp light twin

Dizz

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Jun 12, 2007
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148
Is this pretty much same engine as late 60`s models?Does it need that very rich oil mix,like 24/1 because of pre 62 rod bearings?
 

wbeaton

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Re: 1959 3hp light twin

Yup. They are basically all the same. Just a few minor changes. I have a 1952, 1959 and a 1967. All of those 3 hp motors (1952-1967) need 24:1.
 

Dizz

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148
Re: 1959 3hp light twin

Thank`s,kinda what I thought.Would you have any idea how much compression these little motors need to run&idle properely?
 

wbeaton

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Re: 1959 3hp light twin

I don't know how low the compression can be, but I have a 1952 with about 68 psi up top and 62 psi below. Runs fine.
 

Dizz

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Re: 1959 3hp light twin

Thank`s,I`m buying one across the country .Pictures look fine,he put new impellor,cleaned carb,and the grease was fine&clear in lower unit.It`s also supposed have 88-90# compression in both.That should be fine.do these take standard 80-90# gear lube in lower?
That throttle slide,does it cut fire off points when it hits that "click" @ stop position?I`m also assuming it should have those green coils&pretty much the same points&condensor kit like I bought local for our 57 model 7.5hp Fleettwin.Thanks again.
 

Scaaty

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May 31, 2004
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5,180
Re: 1959 3hp light twin

Thank`s,I`m buying one across the country .Pictures look fine,he put new impellor,cleaned carb,and the grease was fine&clear in lower unit.It`s also supposed have 88-90# compression in both.That should be fine.do these take standard 80-90# gear lube in lower?
That throttle slide,does it cut fire off points when it hits that "click" @ stop position?I`m also assuming it should have those green coils&pretty much the same points&condensor kit like I bought local for our 57 model 7.5hp Fleettwin.Thanks again.

I own 2 also. Throttle just closes the butterfly. When ya get it.., pull the starter and look in there at the coils...see if cracked. If so, change'em
 

wbeaton

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Jul 30, 2006
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2,332
Re: 1959 3hp light twin

That's lots of compression. I just use your standard lower unit gear lube like you'd use in your 7.5 hp. It has the exact same ignition as your 7.5 hp, as well.

The throttle markings are more of a best guess. The two machines I have running (1952 & 1967) do not stop at the same spot. In fact, they both turn off well before the lever gets to the stop position. What I find funny is that there is a "shift" position marked on the throttle. I mean really what are you going to shift?
 

Dizz

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 12, 2007
Messages
148
Re: 1959 3hp light twin

Thank`s all,I`ll check those coils,I love to tear into these things.
 

Scaaty

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5,180
Re: 1959 3hp light twin

Motors REAL easy, REAL simple, and REALLLLLLY smooth.....
 
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