Selectric/Hydro-Electric or what is it?

[SeaKaye12]

Hi all...

This is a 1971 E'rude 60173C. It is half the way across the country from me, and I have a couple of questions.

(1) Is that a "Selectshift" Controller in the picture?
(2) Is this engine points and condensor ignition?
(3) Is 1971 good/bad/or indifferent when comparing the various years of the 3-cylinder loopers?
(4) The seller reports compression of 175/180/170. Should I expect to find a lot of carbon? I would think those numbers are high? (At least they don't vary much)

I notice in the parts diagrams for the lower unit that there is an "oil pump" assembly. Oil Pump? Why does it need an oil pump? I'd like to read more about the design of this particular lower unit if someone can point me in the direction of some good articles on it.

Thanks, Chuck

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Selectric/Hydro-Electric or what is it?

Hi Chuck,
The '71 60hp is a hydroelectric. It uses hydraulic pressure to shift gears, hence the oil pump. It uses two electric solenoids to operate the pump. One solenoid activated gives you neutral, both solenoids give you reverse. Default (no solenoids energized) is forward gear...
It does have points. Kind of a first generation CDI with a point drive distributor. Actually, two sets of points if memory serves.
Decent enough motors. They were a refinement of the earlier 55, but not nearly as refined as the later 70/75s. IMHO they perfected the triples by 1979.
- Scott

 

[jtexas]

Re: Selectric/Hydro-Electric or what is it?

Pushbutton electric shift.
Battery-driven breaker/amplifier/distributor ignition.

If compression is really that high, it must be a fresh overhaul, so why the big gap between #2 & #3? But I don't believe those compression numbers anyway.

agree, the '79 is perfect. '77, '78 aren't too bad either.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Selectric/Hydro-Electric or what is it?

There are a few ignition parts on that motor that are now obsolete and difficult to source, such as the Distributor cap and Rotor, and stator. The amplifer and clipper are ghastly expensive. There are also obsolete parts in the lower unit.
I'd pass. Good engines for their time, but too many parts are NLA.