1980 chrysler 55hp outboard fueling questions.

[Degrath]

I have a 1980 chrysler 55hp outboard i took off a 1980 chrysler 16ft trihull. The fuel setup was a 6gal portable tank with an inline pressure bulb. My new boat is a 1974 caravelle 16ft vhull with an aluminum fuel cell in the bow.
My question is how if possible can I make use of the bow tank?
Do I need an electric fuel pump with regulator of some type?
Or Do I just use the priming bulb with the longer fuel line?
Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Degrath]

Forgot to add the engine is 2 stroke and I currently mix 2 cycle in with the fuel. I wasnt sure if this makes a difference

 

[jerryjerry05]

It should work.
Just make sure the hose doesn't get a kink or bend.
If you have a filter in the system you might want to move it between the pump and the carb.
Too much stuff in the feed line can slow the flow??

 

[Degrath]

So just run a line from the bow tank with a prime bulb to the motor, no electric pump to assist?

 

[jerryjerry05]

No electric pumps unless it's marine approved and hooked up right.
​The pump should be able to work.
I had a 2nd tank added to my boat a long time ago it had about 15ft. of hose.
The pump worked fine.
Just make sure it's ethanol resistant.
​When I changed the hose?? there as a spot that looked like a balloon had deflated, melted hose and it's a wonder it didn't leak??

 

[ondarvr]

There should already be a fuel line with a squeeze bulb running from the tank to the transom, you can change the connector and plug it into your motor, nothing more is needed. If the fuel line isn't already there you can add one, again, no additional pump is needed.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Just make sure it's ethanol rated hose.

 

[Degrath]

Thanks for the info. Once I test the tank for leaks I will be hooking it back up. The lines have been removed by the previous owner and I have no info as to why they stopped using the bow tank.

 

[ondarvr]

The lines have been removed by the previous owner and I have no info as to why they stopped using the bow tank.

​That normally means there's a problem with it, but maybe you'll get lucky.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Is the tank empty?
Using compressed air from a compressor to test a tank is dangerous.
You can pinch off the vent hose and close the fill cap.
Then blow in the fuel line by mouth and see if it holds air.
​Put a short piece of hose on the pickup tube.
​Then blow in the hose and when it has some air, fold the hose over capturing the air in the tank.
​Let it set for 10 min. and then unpinch the hose and see if air comes out?

 

[Degrath]

I was going to use a bike pump with a pressure guage. I read you pump up to 5psi and wait an hour to see if it is still holding the pressure?

 

[jerryjerry05]

You probably won't have to wait an hour?
Just make sure it's empty.

5# is actually a lot on a fuel tank.
​Have an extinguisher close.