'57 javelin performance tuning

robot

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
36
I have a strong running '57 javelin 35HP on a small thompson ski boat. I would like to increase the performance of the motor. I would like to get more torque to pull heavier skiers up, and more top end. I would be willing to sacrifice some torque for more top end.

I know that this is asking for a lot. I am NOT interested in replacing the motor for something larger. this is a resto, and changing out the motor for something that was not available at the time isnt feasable.

the way I look at it, i have several options that will accomplish this.

1. I am running the stock factory brass prop from 1957. I think I can replace this with a stainless prop. what should I look for to improve performance? The factory prop is clean with no dings or chunks missing, and the lake that I am running this in has no hidden debris, so durability is not a factor. I don't know the pitch of the existing prop, so I am starting from scratch here.

2. I can mess with the exhaust. the motor is a simple 2 stroke. expanding the i.d./ raising the height of the exhaust port should increase performance. I have parts(exhaust covers(manifolds)) available to mill until they are correct, so if my mods aren't beneficial, the cost of the cover is pretty minimal. I can also attempt to fabricate some sort of expansion chamber exhaust that will significantly increase the HP output of the motor(this is how the very small motocross motors can generate so much power).
I dont think building an expansion chamber is a real option, as fitting any additional exhaust under the cowling will be an engineering nightmare. I do know that johnson had a small bullet exhaust that exited out of the side of the cowling. I could fabricate that pretty easily, but I am not certain what the performance benefits would be.
The high performance motorcycle folks tell me I should just deck the cylinders to increase the "squish: This is intriguing, as the cost is minimal (<$100) and is a pretty common procedure in the 2stroke motorcycle world.

3. other stuff. spark plugs/racing gas/etc. this is wide open.

4. I could turn this into a dual motor boat (2 javelins), as that was an option for this boat, however the amount of transom and steering/controls work would be significant.

I'll take any advice/recommendations.
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: '57 javelin performance tuning

The stock, factory prop was aluminium so perhaps you don't. Nobody makes a stainless prop for old OMCs so forget about that one. Do you know your WOT RPMS? For performance tuning, you're going to need to know. The most cost-effective tach for your outboard is a tinytach from tinytach.com. Phone them if you order. You really do want to see about 4500RPM from one of those engines.

You can get far more performance cheaper from setup rather than messing with the engine. Raise it up to get that big ole' gearcase out of the water. Just be sure it will still prime reliably and pump water in reverse. Get rid of excess weight from the boat. Redistribute weight, etc.

I've always felt that the best performance mod you could possibly make is to graft a better lower unit onto the bottom of it. Then you could also take advantage of better propellers. But that doesn't go with keeping the look.

Stock spark plugs are fine. Racing gas is pointless on an 8:1 compression engine, High performance motorcycles are (a) loopers and (b) do not run at full load all day long so take what you hear from them with a grain of salt.

One idea would be to either set up fuel injection (just straight EFI) or play with exhaust tuning as there is none at all really on that engine. But you're going to want EGT or at least colourtune so you can set it up safely.
 

robot

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
36
Re: '57 javelin performance tuning

I don't know the WOT RPMs, as I dont have a tach. Those tiny tach meters are pretty slick. I am investigating the commercial one ($65).

I am going to spend some time with exhaust tuning, as that seems to be my most viable and reasonable option

I just discovered screamandfly.com. these guys might know of some off the shelf/bolt on options
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: '57 javelin performance tuning

Actually, try aomci.org. They used to race those engines way back in the 50s. Also have a look in Outboard-Non-Repair for posts by Chinewalker. He, I think, has more background with racing Mercs but also has some old OMCs. Including a 50s 25hp set up for racing. Check out his webpage (google).
 

robot

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
36
Re: '57 javelin performance tuning

found the art van pelt guide to outboard racing. i think this is late 50s documentation. also am posting in the prop forums, as I found more info on the prop I'm running

http://www.infoblvd.net/sah/ArtVanPelt/VanPelt_1.html
i'll send an email to chinewalker.

i am a new aomci.org member. havent heard boo from them.
 
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