rebuild for free

[noelm]

HI, I have a chance to get one of my engines rebuilt for next to nothing by the local Technical Colledge (not too sure what you call it in the US) I have a pair of 115 Fichts with lots of hours on them, but still going like a dream, should I get it done and risk a dud rebuild, even though the students are being trained by qualified teachers, or should I just keep the engines as is till something "dies"

 

[Dhadley]

Re: rebuild for free

Describe "rebuilt".<br /><br />Are they going to take them apart and bore the blocks or just stick them back together? What are they actually going to do?

 

[noelm]

Re: rebuild for free

they are going to do complete rebuild bore if nec, pistons, lower unit strip down and check, replace anyparts suspect, whatever, to do training.

 

[koolerb]

Re: rebuild for free

If the engine is due I would get it overhauled. The students are going to be supervised by an experienced instructor. Since this is going to be training, they are going to be taking their time with it, and following the manual to the letter. And "next to nothing" sounds pretty good to me.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: rebuild for free

Ask them one question -- What are you using for a finished bore size? Either standard or oversize. Ask them to be specific to 1/10,000 or .0000".

 

[noelm]

Re: rebuild for free

I will do so tomorrow when I can call the instructor, I guess this is rather important as it is a two stroke as apposed to a standard car engine, by the way, this is an outboard course not an automotive doing an outboard "on the side"

 

[Dhadley]

Re: rebuild for free

That's a very good thing. His answer to that question will tell us what we need to know.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: rebuild for free

I would also ask the instructor what his specific experience is rebuilding outboards.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: rebuild for free

I like the experience they'll gain, but for now I think they'd learn more with more conventional 2-strokes. I mean Doctors don't jump right into brain surgery. You have to remove a few tonsils before moving up to the more complicated stuff.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: rebuild for free

why do you think you need a rebuild?<br /> in 30 some odd years I have seen 2 outboards wear out. the rest suffered mechanical failure only after oil system,fuel system or cooling system failurs.<br /> but its actually quite rare to see a 2 stroke just wear out a piston or bearing without a prior subsystem failure.<br /> in my opinion the FICT motor is not a good training motor for the beginner. while the reciprocating assy is age old technology the controls are touchy and reqire a fairly extensive back ground in high performance 2 stroke technology.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: rebuild for free

I agree with rodbolt.<br /><br />Ficht is not a school program rebuild.Pistons are pistons as rings are rings,but the Ficht management system is complicated.<br /><br />Also these V4's are not a problem (as are the 150/175's).<br /><br />And if they are "running like a dream",this is not a case for a rebuild.When it's broke,then look into a rebuild.<br /><br />Now you might have a compression reading taken,and if problems are indicated ..... another story.<br /><br />DHP

 

[noelm]

Re: rebuild for free

HI, thats why I posted the question, the motors go like a dream but have well over 2,000 hours on them, the chance just came up to get them done and I sort of thought it may be a good thing but I was not fully convinced that to rebuild just because you can is a good move, the motors have been serviced properly from new, and routine odds and ends have been done by me, I was thinking of getting new ones but the cost sort of scared me off, at least untill it is necessary because of some sort of major failure. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: rebuild for free

2,000 hours is nothing to a 2 stroke that's been properly set up and maintained. <br /><br />It'd still be interesting to get an answer to the question from them.

 

[joaklay]

Re: rebuild for free

There's an old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and I'd agree with those here who say to leave it alone.<br /> I'm not an outboard mechanic but I am an auto. master tech with many years of auto experience (28) and I wouldn't dream of having an auto. engine of mine rebuilt just because it has high miles UNLESS it's noisy and/or using oil. If rebuilt and not done properly, you will have then have serious problems.<br /> 2 cycle outboards do last a long time if maintained properly and I'd gather that you have done that.