Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

[chunkytrout]

I thought I'd post this here instead of outboards since (a) it's not a question and (b) us guys deal alot with older outboards. Ciscoe Kid was a rescue of sorts and I did what I could to get her in the water pronto this season. She's a 1971 Glasstron V176 Swinger with 71 Johnson 60hp. Folks if you own this motor or one with a similiar ignition set-up, get a BIG and STRONG battery. This is a voltage hungry beast and if you don't supply it, she wont run right or at all for that matter. Was having trouble with it all spring but it ran. Then a few weeks ago while running WOT, she just lost a cylinder. "Oh God No!" After testing compression and spark and everything else I admit I was at a loss RE what was wrong. Then (by a stroke of luck) I was talking to an old retired marine mechanic and told him my troubles. "Great motor if ya got the juice to run it.", he said. Turns out the transmission and a number of other components in the ignition are of a type that require constant battery voltage. Popped in a new fresh big battery and presto, running like a top. Just thought I'd share this in case it helps anyone with this type motor. I've done some work to the mechanicals and added guages, replaced seats but theres a long way to go still. I'll keep ya posted. Jason, awesome work on your boat as well as the rest of you. Love this site especially the topic as I'm a new addicted Classic Glass owner. Keep it up!<br />

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[JasonB]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

Glad she was an easy fix. I'll have to remember taht one. On mine, I was told thaty a low battery can take out the power pack permanently. That's why my Deep cycle trolling motor batt is a dual purpose. It can serve as a spare in a pinch. <br /><br />How big is your kicker and how well does it push that boat? I'm thinking of one for my V-195, but don't know how much power I would need at a minimum.<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words on my project. I'll just be happy if it floats and runs when I am finished. Before putting the motor back on, it is gettin a power tilt retrofit and a new set of head gaskets.

 

[chunkytrout]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

I use it mainly for dragging cannon balls around for lakers so I don't need much power. The one on there is a Mariner 2. With both rigs down and planer boards out she trolls at 1.5 to 3mph. Keep in mind I don't back troll, just a steady foward crawl. A 6hp would be ideal but thats all I got and it works nicely. I can troll 8 hours straight on a quart of gas.

 

[Walleye King]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

Nice set up! Love boats set up for fishing. When I get mine done I will have a merc 9.8 or an eveinrude 15 with the have to have 9.9 sticker on it Depends which I decide to keep, the electric start or the power.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

oh great, another reason to NOT run that 71 125 Johnson with its HydroElectric shift, lol, Ill just put three batteries on board, one start and two deep cycle, lets see it drain THAT wall o power down!<br /><br />Walleye, how hard can it be to pull a 15? Go for the POWER, argh argh argh, besides, whatcha wanna load yer boat down with MercLunker crap for?<br /><br />how fast does that mariner get run to have it use such a tiny bit of gas? according to hooty, it should burn .2 gallons an hour at WOT ....

 

[chunkytrout]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

I never take that mariner over half throttle and that's pretty rare unless it's windy. Lakers like it pretty slow.<br /><br />chunky

 

[SCO]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

Your boat looks identical to mine except forthe color.Mine isthe 186 swinger which is really 17ft 6 inches in length. I even have a kicker mount in the same place for a 3.5 horse motor. What is the max power rating? Mine has a 135 hp motor. It's good that you can run it on a 60. What top speed do you get, and what pitch prop do you use?

 

[chunkytrout]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

That 60 planes her out at 20 with top speed unloaded at 28. Not too fast but enough to get me off the lake when it's time to go (lightning). To be honest, I'm not sure what prop I'm running except that I'm due for a new one and have been thinking about what to get. Right now 28mph at 4700 RPM. According to the book max RPM is 5200 so it might be pitched a little high. She's rated for 140HP but I doubt I'd I ever go that powerful. A 90 would be nice. I'd like to see a picture of yours if possible.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

That's a good sounding speed on that rig, Mine is 15 1/2' Glastron built on the same hull design and has an 85hp Johnson V4. I top out at 36-37 spinning a 13 1/4 x 19 at 4900 rpm. I can get a near identical speed out of a 17 pitch at 5100 rpm. I usually run the 17 since it comes out of the hole much better and accelerates much faster.

 

[chunkytrout]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

Jason, do you find have more control mid to low throttle at that pitch or is it a wash? Meaning more or less increments of speed.

 

[SCO]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

I turn 5000 to 5200 rpm and get about 42 or 43 mph with a 19 pitch prop. I'm one that doesn't know how to post photos, but will email to you if youd like. This '73 crossflow 135 hp only weighs 268#. Great power to weight ratio. I don't usually run at greater than 3700 rpm, but the extra power is great for holeshot.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Project "Ciscoe Kid" - Lesson Learned

Oops, apologies guys, Those prop sizes should be 15 and 17. I usually run the 15. The 19 is on my larger boat and it is my lower pitch prop for it (Ford 302/Mercruiser #1R) ... The rpm and speed info is correct for the 15 and 17. I just botched the numbers for the pitch.<br /><br />That being said, I think the 15 (run 75% of the time) is the better prop unless I'm by myself. Ittends to hold the water in turns *slightly* better, but it definetly digs out and accelerates better. The engine also seems to run with less effort. I use the 17 as a spare now unless I will be out by myself. Wthout the weight of another person, it runs very close to the 17 with another mph or two on a really good day with a light load.<br /><br />SCO, thet xflow is light. My '76 85hp is speced at 298lbs. That is going up as I am adding a factory power trim unit that will add another 25-30lbs. Wish mine could shed those 50lbs.