new and need help

[81springbok]

Hi all. I got my fishing boat last year so I am a little new. 1981 16' Springbok with 1982 35 hp Johnson tiller steer. Engine starts fine but shakes pretty good at idle and slow speed. This clears up the faster I go. I can only get 19mph top speed. Is this normal? I don't know the rpm's. I would like to hook up a tach. I'm not sure what I need or how to hook one up. Can someone help me out on this? Fishing season is almost here and there is lots to be done. Alot of good info here so thanks in advance.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: new and need help

First off WELCOME!! This is a great site, you can also order just about any parts for your outboard here...and you get to support the site. I would suspect carbs...Sounds like it needs to be rebuilt probably. Maybe trash in jets. I would go through it...check out awakening a sleeping outboard...GREAT info...do a search for it..I would rebuild carb, new plugs, new water pump impellor, lower unit oil. Look up these things on the site and you can find some great info. Lots of folks will chime in for you too. These are just some easy things you can do, and are good to do for maintainence. You probably have done them but just some stuff to think about. Look up decarb also...use seafoam...its the best...good to do yearly. Good luck!

 

[81springbok]

Re: new and need help

Thanks Ranger. When I got the boat I did change the lower unit oil and the spark plugs. I checked the plugs after last season and they look a little oil fouled. Running to rich. I will definately clean the carbs and change out the impeller. I don't think either has ever been done. The small manual says operating rpm to be at 5200 to 5800. I would like to hook up a tach to see where I am at. I don't have easy access to a lake, so can I safely do this at my house?

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: new and need help

You could also use a manual...the OMC manual...kencook.com is a good place to find the original manual. Will pay for itself time and time again. Whatever you decide to do in the mean time you can see parts diagrams at this site...I copy and pasted for your engine up to the specific serial number...find your specific engine and you can look at the diagrams until you get a manual...hope this helps. http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop/js...&isForSupStore=false&cCatFilter=&eCatSupFldr= if that didn't work go to ishopmarine.com and go to the parts list and follow links to your motor.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: new and need help

rebuild carbs and do the impellor at home...then run it on muffs...don't rev the motor though because it could run away...only idle...the engine needs a load on it...like it would in the water. I know someone will chime in on your engine and a tach. Just when you have it hooked to the hose do NOT rev it up. Be sure to look at some threads on here about rebuilding carb. Be sure to let it soak overnight...and run some mechanics wire through all the jets...you'll see them when you open up the carb...don't just spray carb cleaner through them. Cleaniness is the key. Be sure to pull the filter out of the fuel pump...its a little screen under the a flat head screw...I figure it has one...I've never seen that particular engine so it maybe somewhere else...if I'm wrong someone will chime in...just want to make sure everything is clean so as soon as you start her up after the carb work you don't suck something else right back into it...make sure that your tank doesn't have anything in it too...before you start it after you rebuild/clean the carbs. Your in the right place for info..these guys are great! Keep us informed.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: new and need help

sorry, keep thinking of stuff after the fact...if they are oil fouled that doesn't mean you are running "rich" like on a carbed truck or something where you can change adjustments...plugs won't be clean like in your car...the are burning oil as well as gas...they'll be brownish in color...how are you mixing your oil?? ...should be 50:1...normally thats one small can from the store to six gallons of gas. Read on your oil and be sure. Be sure it is ONLY TCW-3 oil also...you probably know all this but wanting to cover all the bases.

 

[81springbok]

Re: new and need help

thanks for all the tips Ranger. I am a little familiar with working with carbs. I do all my own work on sleds and motorcycles. Why would the boat run away on muffs? There is nothing on prop so it has nothing to push against right? I can understand in a barrel or something similar where the prop is submersed but on muffs? The plugs had oil deposits on them that is why I suggested oil fouled / running rich. I will check the mix ratio when I get some good gas. I think 50:1 is right though. I already cleaned the fuel filter and checked all wiring. Everything is good there. As far as the impeller goes, do I need any special tools for the job? Since this has never been done, should I do the water pump kit w/ housing or just the impeller? Thanks.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: new and need help

Beings that you don't know the condition or when the last time it was done I would go ahead and do the whole kit. I'm doing mine later this week. That way I know for sure, and its only 20 or so more to just get the entire kit. Also if yours has a screen it would be a good time if its busted to change it...7 bucks from BRP. Mine was anyways..lol. The whole reason it could run away is because it has nothing on it. I will rev mine from time to time with the warm up lever but only the warm up lever and very slowly...with no pressure against the engine they get VERY rev happy and can wrap up over your operating range really quick. You won't have any trouble with the water pump..very straight foward..just take your time, and be sure the blades in the housing are rolled the same direction as the old one when you pull it out. I've been told that as soon as you start the engine they'll roll the right direction even if put in wrong...but I'd rather just make sure it was right the first time and not take that chance. As for the tach you'll have to know how many poles your stator is to set the tach on the back....and I think all you have to do sender wise is hook to either of the wires coming from the rectifier...if I remember that right...I don't think it matters which one. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You may also want to do a spark test to make sure your getting enough spark...on a tester should jump a 7/16" gap with a nice pretty blue spark. Hope this helps.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: new and need help

Just a thought, but the oil deposits you speak of...were the plugs just wet...or did they have little deposits of black?? that could be carbon...I would do a decarb soon. The older engines are really bad to build up with carbon...ecspecially if you don't turn enough rpms...another reason for the tach huh?? lol

 

[81springbok]

Re: new and need help

plugs are wet and smell like oil. not just black carbon. the decarb will have to wait till I can get to the lake.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: new and need help

something you might do when you are in the carbs....check the jets and make sure they are the right size...I don't know what size yours has...a manual will tell you or the parts breakdowns on that site I gave you earlier might. If you don't know the history someone could've done the good ol' if some is good more is better things and put bigger jets in it trying to get more power...I've seen that more than once since I've been on here..someone puts in bigger jets or bigger carbs or something trying to do something the engine wasn't designed for...I don't think many if any engines can just be swaped around like some do for more power..from what I've read there is alot in the way of porting and flow that has to be upgraded before more fuel...just a thought for the rich state.

 

[wavrider]

Re: new and need help

I get 24 mph on a 1970 33hp 16ft runabout with two people onboard.
your boat may be heavier than mine, also alot depends on how your boat is set up.

Lets look at your engine first.

Get a manual, expensive a little but will save you $$$$ in repairs and preventative maintenance.

You changed your waterpump, or impellar, simple hand tools usually for any task except a few.

Order a carb rebuild kit just for peice of mind, so you know it is correct and has the proper parts installed, no need to get stranded on the lake

never run your engine above 1500 rpms on muffs
2 strokes need a load on the prop when you rev them up or you may have a run away

change your plugs and gap them correctly, perform a link n sync, from manual to ensure everything is doing what it is supposed to do in the carb throttle assy

shaking at low speeds is something that happens, you may be have your idle set to low.

those are great little engines, dependable also, read the prop section for how to set the engine up.

greatlakes skipper, check that website for tachs, ordered a few from them and work great, fantastic prises or ebay sometimes has some, cheap