3hp Help please

[ray 6688]

Hello all.
I own two 3hp motors, a Johnson and a Gale.
Both are used regularly and run very well,in fact I am a big fan of these motors
This autumn I decided to strip both for de-coke,new impellers and check over.
All was fine until I got to piston rings (bores/cylinders OK,only .001"clearance
in bearings).
BUT ring gap on Johnson is .024" and Gale .016".
Manual states .0005" to .006" for ring gap.
Problem is I am unable to find any std rings as they seem to be obsolete parts,have looked on Internet and motor repair shops in UK,but no luck.

So the question is with no replacement rings available,and a compression
check showing 55-60 psi before engine disassembly,do I just rebuild with these worn rings?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 3hp Help please

Year and model number of engine you're speaking of? Part number of rings if you have them.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 3hp Help please

My aftermarket manual indicates .005-.015 on both motors.
At 60 psi on the little guys I wouldn't worry about it.
If there was any carbon buildup on the ring grooves the rings may have been stuck so may do better now.My very limited experience 60 psi was pretty typical.
You might go to www.aomci.org someone there may have an opinion or maybe even a source for rings that might work. The E/J 3 is good for about 8 mph on
a light reasonably fast boat.And I believe could be made to plane on a light jon
with a 100 pounder driving from the middle seat.There's a Utube video of a 70s 2 hp that appears to be planing on a little jon.

 

[ray 6688]

Re: 3hp Help please

Hi Joe.
Motors are in marina workshop,so will have to drive over to get them,and its
-7 degrees here tonight!
The part number for rings in my parts book is 378412.
Thank you.
Ray.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 3hp Help please

I had a 3hp Johnson, in top notch condition, that was delivering 60 psi on both cylinders. Nice thing about outboards, if they run, then the compression is good. The important thing, is the compression is as close to being the same on both cylinders as possible.

I would however replace the impellers to give you a good piece of mind and good assurance that your motors won't over heat. You may want to check over the ignition system as well. Make sure the coils are in good condition (no cracks) and the points are good and clean. And last, but not least, check and/or replace the lube in the gear cases. Other than that, there isn't a whole lot one has to do, to keep these little buggers up.

 

[ray 6688]

Re: 3hp Help please

Thank you guys.
I have purchased new coils,points/condensers,impellers,gaskets,carb kits,etc
for these little motors.
That's why I was annoyed that I was unable to get any rings,to get these motors spot on.
If no std rings are available,will use old rings as the compression between pots is similar.
I think it is a shame some parts are now obsolete as these motors in my opinion one of the best small outboards ever built,plus little works of art.
Ray.
PS
I know I'm a bit dim but why have I got a red dot next to my user name?
Most people seem to have a green one.

 

[philsboat]

Re: 3hp Help please

About the dots.
It seems that a green dot means the person is online and a black dot means offline.Place cursor on dot to show status.

Phil

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: 3hp Help please

Thank you guys.
I have purchased new coils,points/condensers,impellers,gaskets,carb kits,etc
for these little motors.
That's why I was annoyed that I was unable to get any rings,to get these motors spot on.
If no std rings are available,will use old rings as the compression between pots is similar.
I think it is a shame some parts are now obsolete as these motors in my opinion one of the best small outboards ever built,plus little works of art.
Ray.
PS
I know I'm a bit dim but why have I got a red dot next to my user name?
Most people seem to have a green one.

They are available, just search the net.

 

[F_R]

Re: 3hp Help please

Evinrude/Johnson part number is 378412. Gales take part number 593425. Both are available from any Evinrude dealer. By "any", I don't know if that applies to those in UK. Find somebody here in U.S. or Canada that will mail you some. Especially Canada. You are still ralated, right?

 

[ray 6688]

Re: 3hp Help please

F-R.
Yes that is the part number I am looking for, but all the dealers I try list them
as out of stock,or no longer available.
Have tried all usual US dealers found online.
My sister lives in Fla,so no problem getting them sent over.

o/s .020" rings in stock on problem,just std rings for1.9/16"bores no joy.
Ray

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 3hp Help please

I had a few of those left but I just checked..... gone, sorry.

 

[F_R]

Re: 3hp Help please

marineengine.com has 10+ sets of the Gale rings. But no 378412.

http://shop.evinrude.com/ says 378412 is available. Look at the 1968 model listing.

www.sea-way.com can find them if there are any anywhere.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 3hp Help please

Try Sea-Way Marine, in Seattle Wa. or Engine Blade and Prop. There will be a difference in the ring sizes from your Johnson and Gale, because your Gale is a single and your Johnson is a twin. If those two sources don't have the parts, then try these other sources:

outboard-parts.com
laingsoutboards.com
tcoutboard.com
fairwindsmarina.com
salvagemarine.com
marinepartsoutlet.com
outboardexchange.com
Superior Marine (800-338-9281)
budgetboats.net
americanoutboard.com
piratemarinesalvage.com
trixieslanding.com
mmmarinesalvage.com
tcoutboards.com

If these sources can't help, then I would suggest you join the Antique Outboard Motor Club and post a want ad on their site. These two motors you have, are new stuff to these guys.