Breaking in?

[HookMaster]

Hello.

I have had an Evinrude 1984 100 HP V4 Commercial completely rebuilt. New pistons etc and new drive shaft to lower unit. My question is how to properly break in this motor mounted on a 1978 19' Manatee (Fairly heavy boat).

I have been advised to run out about 12-24 gals of 25/1 oil mix ratio at break in. I have installed a tachometer and hour meter.

Any advice is appreciated............

Thanks,

Don

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Breaking in?

that is correct, no extended idling and no wot, varing speed is good to let it get to know itself. after 10 hours retorque the head bolts.

 

[HookMaster]

Re: Breaking in?

Thanks for the input on the head bolts.........The repair shop did not tell me to do that so I will contact them regarding it.

Don

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Breaking in?

Heat is your enemy on a new rebuild/engine. What you want to do is mate up the new parts without meltdown or galling. So you want to watch your temp...usually not easy on a boat as you usually don't have a temp gauge....but you do have an over temp alarm, but I really don't want to exercise to that temp (195F on my Mercs).

What I do is putt around (below 1500 rpm) for the first hour or so, giving it some (up to say 3000-3500) throttle occasionally and back down.

Then I'll get her on plane and back down, back and forth, then putt, then back and forth for the second hour.

After the second hour I'll go ahead and punch it out but as soon as rpms get to WOT, will cut her back to just above plane, back and forth. Do that for about an hour and figure phase 1 of the break-in completed......I usually make this a dedicated outing for break-in only and try to find sheltered water. We are up to 3 hours running time now.

Then for then next 7 hours I'll be using the boat for other things and exercising the engine through the whole rpm range in spurts, maintaining the majority of my rpm's at low speed (1500 rpm) or just above planing speed depending on what I'm doing.

After 10 hrs anything goes.

I've broken in half a dozen or so engines like this from 7.5 hp thru 125; V's and I's. Never had a problem

And yes, the whole 10 hrs I use the 25:1 oil mix. Then 50:1.

I re-torque heads on engines I rebuild (outboards, cars, trucks, and tractors), but on new ones I never touch it. Personal preference and never had a problem. I know there are two schools of thought here. Only vehicle I ever had that required retorqing, was a '64 Rambler American inline 6 that I bought new.

My 2c

Mark

 

[HookMaster]

Re: Breaking in?

Mark,

Thanks a whole lot for taking the time to reply........I will do as you suggest as soon as I can free up some time to get out on the water. It is hard to find a day without wind here in Virginia Beach/Norfolk VA as the Chesapeake Bay and ocean can get quite choppy. I may just take her to a lake in NC to do the initial break in. Would like to avoid any future problems (self inflicted) as motors are not cheap, especially new ones. I have about $3500 - $4000 in this rebuild. I have an hour meter to install and also would like to know how if a temp guage is possible to install on this engine?

Thanks again.......



Don H.

 

[recess]

Re: Breaking in?

You don't need to go to the lake. We have some good protected water right here in Va. Beach. The ICW through Great Bridge then out to the Eliz. River would be a perfect spot for a break-in. I live in the beach and have run the river to Waterside in Norfolk a couple of times.
Enjoy!

 

[HookMaster]

Re: Breaking in?

Recess.......Thanks

I have run the waterway myself and might just put in at Great Bridge and give it a whirl.........

Here's the restoration in three pics......You can go to www.shareaproject.com and look up "Manatee" for the complete project started in June 2006....

Don

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Breaking in?

Really nice looking job there hookmaster

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Breaking in?

What a nice looking boat you have there! Good job.

 

[HookMaster]

Re: Breaking in?

Ezmobee,

I think you did a great job on that Starcraft. I owned a 1962 w/ 55hp Chrysler OB. They were a great boat. Had to junk this 1966 a couple of months ago since we could not get a clear title. Wanted to give it away but no title was a problem........... It was pretty much shot..Transom rotted etc

Check out www.shareaproject.com "Sea King" 1955 I restored for my sister...

Don

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Breaking in?

You really did a super job. It takes a lot of patience to do it right and looks like you covered all the bases.....I don't have that kind of patience.

Good luck on your maiden voyage and I know this beauty will give you many years of great sport.

Don't forget your oil in your gas in your excitement.

Mark

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Breaking in?

Ezmobee,
Had to junk this 1966 a couple of months ago since we could not get a clear title. Wanted to give it away but no title was a problem........... It was pretty much shot..Transom rotted etc

Thanks Don. We've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of our cheap boat. For my next one I'd love to restore a 17-18' outboard bowrider. My uncle had a '77 Rinker that I grew up riding in and driving and I'd like something just like that. Too bad you aren't in PA! We have no title problems here. My boat didn't/doesn't have one and all they do is send a letter to whomever last registered the boat and if they don't hear back that its stolen you get your registration within 30 days. And you have a temp sticker to use in the meantime. I was pleasantly surprised. Trailers, however, are a WHOLE DIFFERENT ball of wax. The plate in my trailer is registered to the VIN from some old trailer we had that disintegrated because it's a big hassle to get a new one.