1978 Chrysler 65hp

[sikm8]

Hi Guys,

I have been lurking here for a month or so, just reading and picking up some very useful info, some very knowledgeable people here and lots of great info, thanks.

So here goes my first post......

I have just purchased a 65hp Chrysler that was too cheap to ignore. I know about the issues with the ignition system but this one is currently a good runner. Can anyone tell me where I can get info on retrofitting a different ignition system to it as a pre-emptive strike.

I have read a few posts on using the ignition from mid 80's Forces but I can't find any specifics on the system and installation instructions.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

That is a great engine and probably one of the best designs Chrysler built. If the engine is fitted with the Magna-Power II ignition, this system was prone to failure. If the guts are all under the flywheel and the coils are enclosed in a cast box on the head, it is Magna-Power II.

Yes, the engine can be retrofitted with Prestolite ignition from later (up to 1984) Chrysler 55, 60, 65 engines. No modifications are necessary but I don't know if you need the flywheel from the Prestolite system. You can not use ignition systems from early Force 2 cylinder engines because they were points. Later Force 2 cylinder engines did use electronic ignitions and these can be retro-fitted to your engine with some modifications--you would need to make coil mounts etc.

But really, some Magna-Power II systems functioned for the life of the engine so don't fix something that 'aint broke. Wait until you do have a problem. G'day mate.

 

[sikm8]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

G'Day :thumb: Frank
Thanks for the prompt reply and helpful info.

I just agreed to buy this little baby today, so I haven't picked it up yet, but from all accounts they are high torque unit, and very well designed (Except for the Mag2). The previous owner loved it but upgraded to a Chrysler 100hp with power tilt/trim (this one is manual), can this be easy converted to power tilt/trim or should I not worry about it, as it is just going on a 15' Aluminium runabout I picked up a few weeks ago as a winter project (again a great price I couldn't go past). I drove past the boat everyday for about 2 weeks, as it was across the road from my local bottle shop where I would get my traveller after work and even though I wasn't looking for a boat, I offered the guy about half of what he was asking, and to my surprise, he accepted!

So now I have a project to keep me busy over winter(not that I had nothing to do! With a couple of kids, wife and the footy season just starting).

Will pick it up tomorrow, get it on the boat and give it a run. I will post some picks and maybe a video of it when I do, I would be interested on peoples feedback as this is my first boat project.

Thanks.

Go Cats!

 

[Nordin]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

I have two of these engines and have had another two that I sold. One of these I sold had the Prestolite ignition system and it had a different flywheel, upper bearingcage were the stator and trigger are mounted and a different head then the MAG II engines.
The most common thing that fail to this system is the CD module and this module is now N/A from factory (Mercury) and CDI Electronics has disconntinued it as a R/R (repair/return) part.

My two engines are a 55Hp 1976 and a 65Hp 1977. The 65Hp have a lager gearcase similar to the 3-4 cyl. engines and the 55Hp has a gearcase similar to the 35, 45, 55Hp earlier engines.
I have bought all used ignition parts that I have run through just to have spareparts to keep them alive.

I see you live in Austrailia (I am in Sweden Europ?) soo it might be hard to find parts.
I know Franz Marine had a complete retrofit kit (Prestolite) because he offered me this a couple of years ago, but he was to expensive for mee and with shipping from US to Sweden.... no way.

He now (he told me this about one year ago because I was one of his MAGII customer) has set up a test rig (head) to check used parts for sale. He did not want to sell me used parts Before, because he did not know if they were okey.
Franz maybe is a solution for parts but I have not spoke to him about MAGII parts recently.

As Frank says, do not mess with it if it runs BUT you might have a plan A and B for the future and maybe catch up some spare parts.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

I have a spare mag1 cd unit if it helps don't have a spare coil as the one I did have broke a terminal post

 

[sikm8]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

Hi Nordin,

I found a bloke in Geelong(about 30mins from where I live)that wrecks chryslers. I spoke to him earlier today and found he had a few good mag2 CDs and a complete 65hp for parts, so on the spares side of things, I might be right. I might still try and track don prestolight, just in case, even if I have to buy a whole wreck, it would still be worth it I think.

just a question Nordin! How many CDs have failed for you and what sort of use do your donks go through?

Thanks MickLovin, but I don't think they are compatible. Can anyone confirm!

Cheers.

PS. If my post doesn't make much sense, it's because I just got home from a party and am a few beers in.... If it does, i reckon I'm doing alright!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

I did this exact power trim/tilt conversion on a 1984 Chrysler 60. It is a bolt-on application. My unit came from another Chrysler 55 BUT you can also use the Force 50 power TnT. You must use the small 4 bolt unit, NOT the pentagon one. The tilt cylinder is different as the upper mount is offset slightly but the motor and pump is the same. In my engine all the mounting holes were there but as you can see from the second photo (if I got the correct yoke) you may need to drill an upper set of mounting holes for the tilt cylinder---I don't remember.

No, no other ignition system Cd boxes are compatible.

If you want to see the engine running and the tilt working google youtube: Mini Boat Chrysler 60 or frank Acampora videos.

Hi Nordin,

I found a bloke in Geelong(about 30mins from where I live)that wrecks chryslers. I spoke to him earlier today and found he had a few good mag2 CDs and a complete 65hp for parts, so on the spares side of things, I might be right. I might still try and track don prestolight, just in case, even if I have to buy a whole wreck, it would still be worth it I think.

just a question Nordin! How many CDs have failed for you and what sort of use do your donks go through?

Thanks MickLovin, but I don't think they are compatible. Can anyone confirm!

Cheers.

PS. If my post doesn't make much sense, it's because I just got home from a party and am a few beers in.... If it does, i reckon I'm doing alright!

 

[Nordin]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

sikm8 lucky you if you have a "goldmine" of Chrysler at a wreckyard near.

None of my MAG II have failed yet, but as that ign.system was known to fail offen I have collected all parts I have run through.
Actually my engines has not run so much because I have alot of different Chrysler and Force engines. I also have some Mercury engines ( one 1970 4 cyl. 500 50Hp and one 1972 4 cyl. 800 80Hp) and the boat I normally use has the Merc 800 and that one runs really well.

I have bought all the Chryslers with MAGII as no runing engines and two of them had bad CD modules, one had a bad capacitor and one had the Prestolite ign.system and it was overheated because of a bad impeller.

 

[chrome dome]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

have sent you a PM with the contact details of a bloke near Orange, NSW who loves Chryslers, apparently bought up 3 ton of donks and parts a couple of years ago,
very, very helpful with advice and has converted Mag 11 to other systems,
was considering going up from Vic and having him do my sons 120hp while we waited but alas, the head gasket went on it as well, another 105 came up nearby for $150 so we went with that instead
haven't spoken to him for at least 12 months though so his circumstances.... focus and maybe location... may have changed,
ours has LOL

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

If the Mag system hasn't failed by now it probably won't need to be changed.
The recirc system might need to be cleaned if anything.

 

[sikm8]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the info, the the situation has changed. I got there to pick up the motor, when he pulled the cowling off, i noticed the ignition didn't look like a 65hp, cleaned of the id plate a found it was a 1979 45hp (459h9h). So, after some discussion, he offered a good discount on an already cheap 45hp.

Seems to have good compression an both cylinders, starter works and spark on both. I am going to drop the leg and replace the impeller, gear oil and plugs before I try and start it.

One problem I do have is the elec choke isn't working, but I traced this back to the ignition barrel. I will spray some contact cleaner down the barrel and see if it works, else it would be a new ignition switch.

Is there anything I need to know about this donk?

Thanks.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

You can still retro-fit it with power TNT BUT: You will need to replace the swivel yoke and that is not a fun job on these engines.

 

[sikm8]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

G'day Guys

I did a comp test tonight.. 130psi top, 127psi bottom. no real bleed on both....Happy days (was really nervous about the comps, even though they felt good, you're never quit sure until you test them)

I also dropped the lower unit to inspect the water pump, it was pretty clagged up but the impeller was still pliable and in good nick and with a good clean up and flush, water flows nicely throughout the whole system.

A quick question, should I make a gasket for the water pump, or will a bit of sealant be OK?

I replaced all of the hardened fuel lines ad I'm picking up control cables tomorrow.

Hopefully I'll get everything back together the next few days, and if all goes well, I'll have a strong running motor.

Hey Frank, it was just a fleeting thought! This boat is only really for fishing in the bay and dragging the kids around in a tube every now and then, so I a power TNT conversion probably would be a bit overkill, but thanks for the info.

Ok guys, thanks again for all of your input, and I will update you on the progress as it comes.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

No gasket and no sealer is necessary. The fit of the pump body against the stainless plate is sufficient to seal properly. If I remember correctly: A gasket is required UNDER the stainless plate though.

 

[sikm8]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

Hi Guys,

I started it a few days ago, it started perfectly and ran nicely, I noticed it was pretty rattly. I think the lower bearing might be bad, but I have a few questions. The flywheel has up and down play of about 1 mm, I have read that this is the lower main bearing, can this bearing be replaced without splitting the crankcase? And is this a needle roller bearing that can be reco'ed or must it be completely replaced.

Thanks.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

No! You said you bought a 45. The 45 has a ball bearing at the top of the crankcase. It is a press fit on the crankshaft so you must completely dis assemble the engine to change it. 1mm play is FAR too excessive for a ball bearing so you really do need to change it. I have seen these engines where the bearing has cracked, the retainer was destroyed, and balls got into the top cylinder while running---it 'aint pretty. It completely destroys the block, pistons, and cylinder liner.

You need a special heavy duty shop press with a flat bearing puller to get the old bearing off. To install the new one, you put the crank in a freezer and heat the bearing on top of a 100 watt incandescent light bulb for about ten minutes. Using a glove quickly slide the bearing down until it seats.

 

[sikm8]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

No! You said you bought a 45. The 45 has a ball bearing at the top of the crankcase. It is a press fit on the crankshaft so you must completely dis assemble the engine to change it. 1mm play is FAR too excessive for a ball bearing so you really do need to change it. I have seen these engines where the bearing has cracked, the retainer was destroyed, and balls got into the top cylinder while running---it 'aint pretty. It completely destroys the block, pistons, and cylinder liner.

You need a special heavy duty shop press with a flat bearing puller to get the old bearing off. To install the new one, you put the crank in a freezer and heat the bearing on top of a 100 watt incandescent light bulb for about ten minutes. Using a glove quickly slide the bearing down until it seats.

Thanks Frank,

So a bad upper bearing on these donks can cause the crank to move Vertically (Motor is still mounted to the boat), I did read that the lower was the cause of this play and a bad upper causes horizontal play. There is some horizontal play on the flywheel, but this is very slight, barely noticeable.

Thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

Thanks Frank,

So a bad upper bearing on these donks can cause the crank to move Vertically (Motor is still mounted to the boat), I did read that the lower was the cause of this play and a bad upper causes horizontal play. There is some horizontal play on the flywheel, but this is very slight, barely noticeable.

Thanks

The 2 carb 2 cylinder 55, 60, and 65 have the bearings reversed with a caged roller on top of the crank and a ball bearing on the bottom. However even though the ball bearing is in a separate carrier, you still need to open the engine to service it.

 

[sikm8]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

Hi Guys,

I'm Back, the start of the local footy season, work and usual family stuff had left me with no time to play the last month.

So now everything is running well, it starts and idles easily, revs out nicely, pumps plenty of water, fixed a water leak from the shift shaft seal and just one thing left...The steering.

I need to remove the kingpin and give the whole mechanism a clean out (it's very stiff), but it won't slide out. The question I have is can I remove the swivel bracket without removing the leg? I have already removed the leg mount, and it looks like if I remove the 2 engine mount nuts, the lower unit, fuel hose and some electrical (starter solenoid, breaker and cables), it should just slide out. At least then I can get at it with some heat and force (a big hammer).

Thanks for all of your help guys, it's been invaluable and much appreciated. :thumb:

Mods, is it possible to change the thread title from "1978 Chrysler 65hp" to "1979 Chrysler 45hp" please, I have now verified the model and it will help stop any confusion.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1978 Chrysler 65hp

Now you are asking difficult questions! I don't think the swivel bracket can be removed without removing the kingpin--but it has been a long time since I tried. If you take off the two side plates for the lower mount, the swivel bracket may just slide down. The kingpin is a press fit in the lower cowling. Some are knurled or splined in too. To remove it generally you must remove the engine block and front motor mount then drive it down and out. You could try to wiggle it out without removing the block but I don't think that's going to happen.