Re: increasing the horsepower
Rob:<br /><br />I would invest in a full fledged tune up for this motor: Decarbonizing, checking the carburetors, checking the spark plug cables and ignition timing, etc.<br /><br />After this is done, I would connect a tachometer and measure RPM's at wide open throttle to check if the propeller is matched to your hull.<br /><br />If your propeller is turning at close 5500 RPM I would increase the pitch by a coulple of inches and this would in theory lower the RPM's at 4500 RPM. By increasing pitch at the recommended full ranghe RPM's you increase the speed of the boat and this will also reduce the wear of your vintage Chrysler and you will feel the motor is more powerful.<br /><br />I believe Chryslers were superb machines, but they are no longer produced and I have heard from others that their reliability was not on par with other top brands like Mercury or Evinrude. But, yours has demonstrated that at least it has outlasted many of the other brands.