Homelite/Bearcat 55?

[JB]

I am interested in looking into this engine as a possible powerplant for my Boston Whaler Striper 15.<br /><br />I know it was developed from the Crosley design. I used a Crosley in my F Modified sports racer in the 50s and really like a lot of things about the design.<br /><br />In the back of my memory are it's light weight for a 4 stroke 55 (175lb?), that MYOUTBOARDS has some interest in them and that there is (was) a guy in Breckenridge, TX that was dealing in Bearcats.<br /><br />Any leads on project, used/servicable or rebuilt Bearcats?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

The only thing I have in my links are these JB. It's a start if you haven't seen it already...<br /><br />adventurebearcatmarine.com/<br /><br />members.aol.com/homelite55/index.html

 

[JB]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Thanks, Rick. I had those from Google.<br /><br />Since I am only a couple hours drive from Breckenridge I am particularly interested in that place, if it is still there.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

I had a Homelite 55. It is around 250 lbs. It was a good motor, was economical. I just had a desire for more horsepower at the time. They did make an 85 horse one too, but they are hard to find...

 

[DJ]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

JB,<br /><br />You giving up on the 48? If so, let me know.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

found this post, too...<br /><br /> web page <br /><br />And here's one for sale in CA:New Rebuilt 55HP 4-Cycle<br /><br /><br />4cyclemarine.com/<br /><br />Also, does Sandy Creek Marine in Breckenridge ring a bell??

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

I had a friend back in the '60's that had a 15' fiberglass boat with a 55. We only went out in it once, at night (Lake Travis) and there were 3 of us plus gear.<br /><br />It ran out very well and 55 seemed adequate for the boat and load. It was really smooth.<br /><br />All I know about it.<br /><br />Mark

 

[JB]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

After thinking about it and getting some good input. . . .limited prop availability, no PT&T, requires cable/pully steering. . . I decided to drop the idea.<br /><br />It was a pleasant thought while I had it. <br /><br />Thanks all for the input.

 

[jaymayne]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Originally posted by JasonJ:<br /> I had a Homelite 55. It is around 250 lbs. It was a good motor, was economical. I just had a desire for more horsepower at the time. They did make an 85 horse one too, but they are hard to find...

 

[jaymayne]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Hello. Here is a question about a HHomelite 55 Bearcat ... perhaps you can help: <br /> <br />I started a 1967 Homelite Bearcat 55 hp today in a garbage can filled with water, no problem. Started right up. The engine had been sitting for some time.<br /> <br />A couple of hours later, I see oil leaking from the bolts near the cav plate on the lower unit.<br /> <br />Do you know ... could this mean an oil seal is broken? Another problem?<br />Your advice respected ... and appreciated. Thank you.<br /> <br />Jeff <br />Email: JMDPR@aol.com

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Probably just unburned fuel/oil mix...Take a whiff of it...

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

There is really nothing but exhaust down there so what you are more than likely seeing is just exhaust goo which occurs under a lot of circumstances.<br /><br />Otherwise you may have a bad seal on your upper driveshaft allowing lower unit oil to weep out the top where the water pump is located.<br /><br />Try to fill your lower unit...per the book..top screw last out first in. Try not to loose any fluid when you drop the lower screw....have the tube of lube ready to stick in the hole when you get the screw out.<br /><br />Then remove the top screw and squeeze the tube. If the lower unit is full that's one mark in your favor.<br /><br />Then remove the tube of lube and let the lower unit drain into a clean container. Inspect it for yellowish (water) contamination and excessive metal particles. If your drain screw(s) have magnets on the ends clean off any metallic particles.<br /><br />Inspect the lube. If clean that's the second thing in your favor.<br /><br />If you pass both tests, I'd say fill her up with lube, seal it and forget it. <br /><br />(Would be nice if you have new washers to put on your screws before installing. Possibly you could take your screws to a local marine dealer...with the old washers for reference, and get new washers that will work correctly.)<br /><br />Mark

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Yoy're a wise man JB. A novel idea, but lots of $$$, frustration, and work.<br /><br />Mark

 

[horsefly38425]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

bearcats are fine motors I got one 5yrs ago it sat in my shop till i put it on a 24ft pontoon / man you should see the looks it gets when people find it is 60/70's motor. I have added T/T an ele.fuel pump/telflex steering /ele tech /ele.oil pressure gauge. I am now tyring to find a place to hook a water temp gauge / don't like the hot light that much. Got any good idea were to tap send unit in?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Horsefly,<br /><br />Never been in that engine but where I have put them on others is in the water jacket cover near the top of the engine (to sense the hottest point), over the head (top of the piston). Gotta look first to insure that you have room behind the hole for the sensor.<br /><br />I try to find a thick boss that I can drill and tap into but if I can't find any, I drill and tap a thin part and then (after cleaning and roughing up) build a boss of JB weld around it. The smaller diameters work best (if you have an option), like a 1/8 pipe plug. Gives you more threads to grab what aluminum there is. If it should leak it's just water and will drain out of the engine. If you mess it up you can JB weld over the whole thing.<br /><br />Be sure to allow for the cowling to be installed after you have finished.<br /><br />Mark

 

[steelespike]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Did you boys know that the Bearcat is based on <br /> the little overhead cam. Crosley car motor originally designed c. 1946 and at first was an all stamped steel block brazed together.But was soon replaced with a cast iron block.It developed its horsepower at about 5,200 rpm when about 3,600 was the norm.The Crosley also had Disc brakes many many years before any other American car company.Unfortunately they didn't hold up well in adverse weather.

 

[JB]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Know it well, Spike.<br /><br />My H-modified sports racer was based on a Fiat 500 chassis but used a Crosley based engine and disk brakes from a 1951 Crosley Hotshot.<br /><br />Great little engine. Turned 10Krpm in the days when only glow plug engines turned 10Krpm.

 

[jaymayne]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

Re my Homelite posting above ...<br /><br />Turns out it was just engine dust that had collected over time ... engine had been sitting and not been started in some time. This Bearcat 55 runs great!

 

[horsefly38425]

Re: Homelite/Bearcat 55?

I pulled the hot temp sender out. Found out it does not go all the way into the exh. water. I was going to put it there. think i will put a 1/8 tee in where telltail comes out before i drill & tap. By the way mine has a 250 deg. hot send. wounder if anyone makes a lower, 220-230 sender? 250 sounds to late to me / damage done.