adding tell tale to 1960 big twin 40 question

[nahoo7]

I read a post on adding a tell tale to early outboards and it said to drill a hole into the water jacket at the top of the powerhead to clear air bubbles.Is their any reason you cant tap into the thermostat cover as it is at the top of the powerhead and is removable so less chance of drilling into the cylinder wall and stuffing up the motor?thanks in advance cheers.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: adding tell tale to 1960 big twin 40 question

Hi nahoo. I added a tell-tale to my '66 20hp Johnson by tapping into the t-stat cover as you described. It actually worked quite well. Maybe a little too well, in fact. I used it a few times before I decided that it was starving the motor of much needed cooling water. So I put it back to stock. While I would've really liked the tell tale, it wasn't worth the risk. I've just learned to listen carefully to the motor to make sure it's always pumping water.

 

[F_R]

Re: adding tell tale to 1960 big twin 40 question

I read a post on adding a tell tale to early outboards and it said to drill a hole into the water jacket at the top of the powerhead to clear air bubbles.Is their any reason you cant tap into the thermostat cover as it is at the top of the powerhead and is removable so less chance of drilling into the cylinder wall and stuffing up the motor?thanks in advance cheers.

Piece of cake with the 1960 40hp. As you suggested, just tee into the line between the cylinder and choke heater. Restrict it down to a reasonable tell tale flow. Won't hurt a thing.

 

[nahoo7]

Re: adding tell tale to 1960 big twin 40 question

cheers thanks for your replies and insight.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: adding tell tale to 1960 big twin 40 question

Frank have you ever seen a lower power head mounting bolt removed from beneath the lower cowl, and a fitting added in its place?