'58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

[geekomatic]

Here's the skinny for anyone who's interested.<br />The carb on this thing has been rebuilt practically twice.I've taken it off of the motor twice and followed Master Joe Reeves' instructions (Many Thanks, as always) on the float settings, etc.Did this again today. Everything is cherry with the carb.I've replaced the packing,gaskets, and both needle valves.I've cleaned the inside of the carb to the point of obsession. The needle valves leak no more,even when WOT, and there is no gas puking from the carb, as was before.The plugs have a nice,fat,hot spark. Gas is flowing freely thru the filter and the carb. I've double checked the fuel mixture.The double fuel line and tank are all good, with the lines in the correct holes.I dinked around with the tiller handle and finally got the little gears meshed.That part is OK.<br />I managed to break the starter bracket while trying to start the motor.I posted this earlier.I've since found out that the starter bracket I snapped off is something that I will never find a replacement for, and it's damned impossible to repair.Go figure. <br />I've spent this entire weekend attempting to get this thing started using the pull-start.It started and ran for approximately 1 second.I am now bruised up and my back is killing me.This thing will not start regardless of what I try.I have no clue why, but I am mere minutes away from saying "screw it". I'm thinking reed trouble at this point, but it's not gonna matter to me.I have no time or motivation to take this thing apart again.I'm ditching it before it drives me completely nuts.It will never start for me.Somebody will get this thing running,however, and I will take the proceeds from the sale of it and get myself the newer,running,jet-drive that I really want.Unless somebody can convince me otherwise,this old motor's gonna be posted on Ebay by the end of the week.My username is the same as it is here,if you're interested.I've got too little time to dink with this stuff. I need something that's already working.Thanks for the tips,everybody.

 

[itstippy]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

I posted this last night on your "911 call" string. Did you see it?<br /><br />Electric start on a 18-20-25HP is a luxury option many folks wish they had. I've seen starter and bracket assemblies go for more than an entire motor (sans electric start option) on eBay. Sheesh. I think oldtime owners love their outboards dearly but get bad backs & arthritis or whatever and can't pull the rope no more at all. So they convert to electric start at any price. Anyway, if it's tuned properly your motor will start on third pull every time. For a healthy person the starter and accompanying battery are just that much unnecessary weight. Ah, "if it's tuned properly". And you just rebuilt the carb and need to tune.<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=030468#000000 <br />That old 1961 FD is now on "old faithfull", my ugly 14' aluminum Vhull that gets me on the water whenever I want to go. Starts on third pull every time. Like you, my project boat (late 50's early 60's runabout) is taking FOREVER because I have to earn a living and never have any time to spare.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

It shouldn't be very hard to repair the bracket. You could even do it yourself with an aluminium solder & a MAPP torch. It would probably be a good idea to reinforce where it broke, perhaps with a peice of plate cut to fit.

 

[geekomatic]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Itstippy, I got your last post.I'd love to get the thing running and properly tuned, but I can't even get it started,regardless of what I try.Like I said, my back (and arthritis,by the way) won't take much more tugging on that pull-start.Now it appears the thing's not even getting spark after all that crap I replaced.Maybe I should have sealed up the plug wires into the coils a little better....<br />Admiral Paul, I've got the torch,and I'll try and find the Aluminum solder.I really didn't realize anything like that existed.I've already tried the JB Weld thing. The bracket snapped right off again on the first try.I'll also try and reinforce it. Looks like it needs it. If this doesn't work, I've already whipped up a good HTML rant for this thing on Ebay.My patience is running mighty thin and I can hear fish calling me.I'm spending way too much time in my garage.<br />Thanks again everybody!!

 

[rolmops]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

I just read this thread and wonder whether the 18 horse starter brackets here are the same as the 35 horse brackets of those years.If so,I have a few laying around.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Geek... I kinda feel about the same way about my 1956 Sea Horse 15 hp... today I got it out after having put it aside 4 years ago. I put in a new impeller before even trying to start it. I used a squirt bottle to spray fuel into the carb intake and hooked a hose from the fuel bowl to a gas can which I held higher than the motor so I'd have gravity flow since I don't have a twin line tank and I'm trying to convert to a fuel pump and single line system. Fortunately I was able to get it to start and it ran pretty good (smoked like a tar kettle). 4 years ago I could only get it to backfire a couple of times. One thing I have done on old antiques is to blow out the ignition with wd-40 then spray a little starting fluid around to get rid of the oil which seemed to short out things then blow dry with air hose. This has worked wonderfully for me with the small engines. As for chunking the old motor... hmmmm. If you just want a nice running motor then go for it. Antique enthusiasts are gluttons for punishment and enjoy the challenge. Pull the plugs, clean and squirt a little starting fluid over the electrodes. Squirt a little fuel mix in the cylinders, install plugs and crank a few times, pull plugs & clean them again then re-insert. If it is getting fire, fuel, and compression it will start. If you are not puking fuel the reeds are probably good.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Antique enthusiasts are gluttons for punishment and enjoy the challenge.

Truer words have seldom been spoken. Which is why din't really respond to whether you should continue or not. Really, my opinion can't be trusted.<br /><br />Bernz-o-matic sells the solder, as well as "Durafix". It seems to me to work really well. But I don't think it's 100% as strong as the castings, so reinforcement will likely be necessary. After all, it broke in the first place so the design is weak.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the bracket is very different from the 35hp ones. For starters (har, har, har!) it's on the other side of the engine. Geekomatic has posted a few pics, here's one of the starter:<br /> http://photobucket.com/albums/y18/geekomatic/?action=view&current=P4241222.jpg <br /><br />If the wires wern't sent all the way into the coil (you've got to screw them in a bit, or a lot on the aftermarket ones) then they may not be making good contact. Measure the resistance between the spark plug connector and the engine block - you should read somewhere between 4 and 7K ohms (4000-7000).<br /><br />If that checks out good, and the wires arn't full of cracks, then the problem is probably elsewhere. Disconnect the magneto lines (kill-switch wires) and re-test. If that doesn't check out, pull the flywheel & investigate.

 

[rolmops]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Are we talking a starter bracket that would be simular to a generator bracket?

 

[rolmops]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Are we talking a starter bracket that would be simular to a generator bracket?

 

[alden135]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

I saw a product on tv called allumiloy (?) thats used to repair alluminum. You only need a propane torch. They show it being used to fix props, cracks, make butt joints, etc. The price was around $45/lb.

 

[steamboatwilly]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

I have a motor same as yours.Except it aint electric start.Its in my basement.It set up for many years.I got it out the other day and it started right up.If you need me to go down and check something so you can compare it with yours,let me know and I will.

 

[geekomatic]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

You know, I really am having trouble getting rid of this thing.After all that time I've put it to it,I'm having big issues about selling it.Of course, you guys are absolutely no help whatsoever as far as that's concerned.This stuff really is addictive. Winter's coming, and I have nothing to do at that point.I'll keep the thing awhile and see what I can squeeze out of it.<br />I've heard that starter fluid is bad for a two stroke because of the lack of lube.I'm of the opinion that a small amount probably won't hurt, so I'll try that this weekend.I checked the spark tonight using the "redneck application" (hold the plug and watch for spark while someone else yanks the cord)It lights me up like a pinball machine.No Viagra Needed.I think(I know)the plug wires are fairly well seated in the coils after being whacked across my driveway.Twice.<br />As far as the cracked starter bracket goes, Here's what she looks like presently. If you looks closesly at the photo, you'll notice a dark area around the end of the break.Looks like there's been a weakness there for awhile that's been just waiting to happen.I have no clue if other HP or models will work with the motor.I'll also try and get this thing welded back together this weekend using the goodies that are suggested. Reinforcement of this bracket is necessary in my book.I also have a question about the kill switch on this thing.Looks like this one does not have one.If I actually manage to get it started,can I shut it off by merely turning the ignition to "off"? Otherwise, I'm pretty clueless, as usual.Update pending after this weekend.Thanks a million again,Gentlemen.

 

[geekomatic]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Oh, I forgot. Mr. Petty Officer James, If it's in your basement,and it's not on a boat, you wanna sell it? I gotta brother that lives in your neck of the woods.I'll drive up there for a psuedo-visit and take it off your hands.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Did you by chance check your compression? I didn't see it in the post. Take a little premix and squirt it in the cylinders and if you have compression and spark it will fire right up.. When it dies you'll know you have a fuel supply problem.<br /><br />If it doesn't fire then you have compression or spark problem.

 

[steamboatwilly]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

No,I guess I better not let it go.A really good friend gave it to me serveral years ago.I plan on using it for a backup in case my newer 95 ever wears out.Thanks for the offer.Ive been reading all of your thread.Hope you get it going.

 

[steamboatwilly]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Oh Geekomatic,,,I forgot to say,Come on up and visit anyway.

 

[itstippy]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Use the drill.

 

[geekomatic]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Here's the skinny: The Durafix stuff is impossible to find (I checked their website and it looks promising,but not at $45 a pound), so I bought the Benzomatic aluminum rods.I tried like mad to heat the unit up hot enough to get the solder to stick to no avail.And yes, I cleaned the bracket with a wire brush 'till the old digits got sore.It appeared to take hold until I picked it up after cooling.The solder just falls off.I've already started calling around trying to find someone that actually welds aluminum.Everbody in this area is scared to death to mess with it.That's as far as I've gotten this weekend. I did buy a big bottle of starter fluid, but I'm still trying to overcome bruises and muscle soreness from the last time I tried the pull-start.<br />I can't find a part number on the bracket anywhere, so I'm up for suggestion again at this point.If anybody has a starter bracket for this motor, I would pay dearly. You can have any organ except my liver.Trust me, you don't want it.

 

[alden135]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

Did you take the bracket off the starter before trying to heat it?

 

[itstippy]

Re: '58 Fast Twin 18hp has pushed all my buttons! I'm over it.

These look about the right era. Look them over.<br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EVIN...ewItemQQcategoryZ50439QQitemZ4578784494QQrdZ1