Help for a new boater

occarvers

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Messages
41
A friend of mine has some final issues he is trying to work out on his first boat. He bought a 1972 14' Starcraft Falcon with a 1962 Gale Johnson 40 horse outboard motor. ( I am an I/O guy ) Here is the email he sent me with his questions;

Finally I took her in the water yesterday. I had to add a few things and practice backing the trailer. This one is very difficult for me in spite previous experience with camper - still can not do 90 deg into my driveway, perhaps my street is too narrow. Any ways I would like to share some experience and seek some advice.

1. Motor would not start on me though I could hear a choke solenoid click. After opening little box on engine where choke is and moving it motor started with a touch of key! Should I use WD40 on mechanism there?
2. Then I had a problem with motor staying in forward gear until gear lever was moved by hand on a back of the motor. So how do I lube linkages? I would like to lube them all - gas, gear and steering.
3. I got it up to like 30mph at like 80% of gas - good enough for me! Though bow went up and windshield became like a fog....Any way to polish it clear?
4. At slower speeds fumes are a problem. I think between engine being warned out and 1:24 mixture this is a source of fumes. Do you think that going to 1:50, perhaps 1:40 would help this problem without hurting the motor?
5. At higher speeds steering becomes almost impossible. Should I get larger steering wheel or lubing linkages will help?

Any help would be appreciated, I am trying to talk him into joining Iboats. I have told him how friendly and helpful all you guys (and girls) are!
 

oldcatamount

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
1,740
Re: Help for a new boater

WD-40 is good oil, but, it does tend to evaporate and not last very long. There is a product called "Cable Fluid" but I think it's simply a penetrating oil. I use PB Blaster for cables. They are tough to lubricate but you primarily need to lube the first foot or so of each end. I would mix the fuel/oil at 50:1. You may have a little too much motor for the size of the boat.
 

lindy46

Captain
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
Messages
3,886
Re: Help for a new boater

1. Motor would not start on me though I could hear a choke solenoid click. After opening little box on engine where choke is and moving it motor started with a touch of key! Should I use WD40 on mechanism there?
Sounds like a loose or corroded connection somewhere. Clean all connectors to the solenoid and starter with a wire brush until shiny, then make sure all connections are tight. Make sure battery is good and fully charged.

2. Then I had a problem with motor staying in forward gear until gear lever was moved by hand on a back of the motor. So how do I lube linkages? I would like to lube them all - gas, gear and steering.
There is an adjusting "wheel" at the motor end of the cable. Adjust until motor fully engages forward. If controls move with difficulty, he may need to get new cables. It's difficult to lube old cables.

4. At slower speeds fumes are a problem. I think between engine being warned out and 1:24 mixture this is a source of fumes. Do you think that going to 1:50, perhaps 1:40 would help this problem without hurting the motor?
Use 1:24. Smoke will lessen once the motor has been run for while.
 

occarvers

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Messages
41
Re: Help for a new boater

Thanks guys! I have sent your replies to my buddy. Maybe now he will see how great you guys are and join himself!
 
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