Shakedown for the new rebuild

[interalian]

Got the new 140 on the lake today for shakedown. Ran great all the way through the first tank (6US gal). Now I've seen lots of posts about running more oil than 50:1 for break-in so I added another 250mL to the tank even though the original manual says use 50:1, so maybe 32:1. Ran it for the better part of 2 hours with periods of idling combined with jumping on plane and keeping it at 3000 for a few minutes then repeating. This rig just pops out of the hole like a champagne cork.

Here's a video clip: https://youtu.be/eT_5bD09ngw

Just as we were about to move to phase two of break-in it felt like it ran out of gas - sputtered out like usual when the tank is going dry. The tank was empty so I changed to the second tank (50:1) but it didn't start and idle properly - seemed to be really loading up or something. Hmmm, checked for spark - OK on all 4. Checked #1 timing and it showed about 2deg BTDC while cranking. So, I've got spark and it's happening at the right time, so fuel, right? Took the silencer cover off and the front of the carbs were wet. Hmmm. Cranked it again and it sputtered then started puking fuel out of the top fuel bowl vent. Great, stuck float, and I did a full rebuild on them including new floats, needles, needle clip, seat, gaskets and pivot pin just the other day. Set level parallel to bowl, and even set the drop to spec. No idea why it should be hanging up, but there you go.

We weren't far from shore so dad and I paddled it toward shore and a couple of people on their dock who were enjoying the afternoon sun let us tie up and the use of their lift overnight, and gave us some beers. We made some new friends and enjoyed a nice sunny afternoon on their dock. I'll go back tomorrow and tear the carb apart. Too much fun.

 

[emdsapmgr]

The engine sounds good! Are you running a fuel filter in the fuel line? Maybe you picked up some debris from the bottom of the tank as it was running empty and it got sucked up into the float(s)? Or maybe one of the jets?

 

[jimmbo]

Fastest 90hp on the lake. Even at your altitude, it appears to have fantastic torque, what prop is on it, a 17?
I think the float drop needs to be a little less, even though it might be to spec.
Hmm, Calgary is only 2 1/2 hrs away

 

[interalian]

The engine sounds good! Are you running a fuel filter in the fuel line? Maybe you picked up some debris from the bottom of the tank as it was running empty and it got sucked up into the float(s)? Or maybe one of the jets?

Thanks, it ran sweet. We'd just done a couple of WOT runs to 4000 then backed off before the problem happened. Just starting to get to the fun. When I remounted the leg I put it up a hole from where it had been forever since it was buried at full speed last year. Even there the cav plate is still underwater (although I only checked when we were at 3000rpm (~25mph).

It's running on the cool side - about 120 on both heads even at speed. Not sure if I should be worried?

No filter - never had one in the last 33 years, but it can't hurt so I'll pick one up on Monday. I'm pretty sure the tanks are clean, I took them both apart last year and gave them a good look. The inlet screen on the pump was cleaned when I rebuilt the pump. With my luck it'll be a pinhole in the float and I didn't keep the old ones but I do have the new ones I put in the 90 carbys last year so I'll pull one out before I go work on it today.

 

[interalian]

Fastest 90hp on the lake. Even at your altitude, it appears to have fantastic torque, what prop is on it, a 17?
I think the float drop needs to be a little less, even though it might be to spec.
Hmm, Calgary is only 2 1/2 hrs away

Lol, yes. I won't be putting the 140 hood on for a couple of reasons, least of which it's trashed. Frankly there are very few outboards around here anymore. 75% of the boats on Chestermere are wakeboats in the $50k and up range, 20% are older stern drives and the rest are a mix of old OB and a few newer ones. On a hot day it's like a mixmaster with all the wakes.

Comes out of the hole like a popped cork and seems to really bite as it's passing 3000. Spinning the 17" prop it's had since new. I'll wait to see what WOT revs are doing before deciding what to do next, but will probably keep the 17 for tubing and skiing as a longer pitch might take something out of the hole-shot.

Looking at the spec for float drop, it's farther than the float can actually move in the bowl. Weird??

If you want to come down for a burn, you're welcome.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Technically, the screen on the fuel pump is the stock "filter". I always like to add one of the white in-line filters to the fuel supply hose. In case you have some fuel hose deterioration, check out the inside of the carbs for little black bits of rubber. Many of the older hoses will deteriorate when using ethanol based fuels. Those black bits migrate down the fuel line and cause problems inside the carbs...

 

[interalian]

Thanks. All the lines inside the powerhead are new with the rebuild R7 spec and better, and the "L" shape line from the pump to the bottom of the fuel log is a new one with the fancy liner ($$$). The tank line is a few years old, but not ancient. Any issues with primer bulbs? I can easily replace the line. Max 10% ethanol here.

 

[interalian]

Oh, and as for timing, it shows about 25 degrees at 3000. I backed it off a turn from how it was originally. Spec says 28. If I run 91 (premium), where should the timing go? I have the high comp heads.

Once I solve the flooding problem I plan to do a WOT cut and pull the plugs for a reading.

And is there any benefit to indexing the plugs? Or using the surface gap plugs spec'd by OMC? I'm running Champion QL77JC4 I put in the 90 new last season unless I hear different. Max says NGK but I've heard less positive news about them here.

 

[jimmbo]

I won't be putting the 140 hood on for a couple of reasons, least of which it's trashed. Frankly there are very few outboards around here anymore. 75% of the boats on Chestermere are wakeboats in the $50k and up range, 20% are older stern drives and the rest are a mix of old OB and a few newer ones. On a hot day it's like a mixmaster with all the wakes.

You don't have to worry about overpowering. No laws regarding that here. I took a look at Chestermere on Google earth. About 3 miles long and about a 1/3 of a mile at its widest, and what looks like about 500 docks. I see why you said the water looks like it's boiling. Must get pretty crowded on long weekends. Is the lake open to the public? If so, is there a launch fee?

 

[jimmbo]

And is there any benefit to indexing the plugs? Or using the surface gap plugs spec'd by OMC? I'm running Champion QL77JC4 I put in the 90 new last season unless I hear different. Max says NGK but I've heard less positive news about them here.

I doubt indexing the plugs will make much, if any, difference on your engine. It does on direct injection engines because of the need to ensure what tiny bit of fuel injected can be in the area of the spark. Myself, I like the surface gap plugs. I had a set of NGK surface gaps in my 1984 Merc 115, they were still in it when I traded it in 1998, they had about 500 hrs on them.

 

[interalian]

You don't have to worry about overpowering. No laws regarding that here. I took a look at Chestermere on Google earth. About 3 miles long and about a 1/3 of a mile at its widest, and what looks like about 500 docks. I see why you said the water looks like it's boiling. Must get pretty crowded on long weekends. Is the lake open to the public? If so, is there a launch fee?

It's not really a concern about Johnny Law (no coppers on this lake), just like to keep it stealthy. And besides the 90 hood is still pretty.

500 docks seems about right, but even on the hottest weekend last year there were maybe 100 boats out. The lake is open to the public but there's a $45 launch fee for non-residents, free for townies like me - just need the reg sticker on the hull. Not sure if it's a revenue grab or an attempt to keep Calgarians off the lake. Either way it seem to be working.

Right now, she's sitting on a lift on the middle dock:

 

[jimmbo]

$45!!! I assume it's collected at gun point! That's robbery

 

[interalian]

$45!!! I assume it's collected at gun point! That's robbery

Agreed. Our town council's activities are being investigated by the province after a petition to do so was circulated and 5000 signatures out of 18000 residents gathered. People here aren't too pleased with taxes and fees. Our property taxes are obscene.

 

[jimmbo]

I was thinking of hauling my boat up there(it is a thousand feet higher than down here) but with those launch fees...

 

[interalian]

I was thinking of hauling my boat up there(it is a thousand feet higher than down here) but with those launch fees...

Gotta pay to play.

 

[interalian]

Got the carby off. Float was stuck. Needle was jammed with what looks like machining chaff. Swapped the seat and we're good to go

 

[interalian]

So after getting the flooding fixed, went for another spin and it fell flat after a few minutes. Same symptoms as the last run last season. Not surprised, so putted back to the lift and ran some tests. Spark on all but #2. Swapped coils and wiring and there was no spark on #4. Popped a spare pair on and motored off again. Seemed to be the same problem so we pulled out and went home. Pulled the hood and found #3 wire was off. Can't win today so I think it's just telling me it's a drinking Saturday

 

[interalian]

Decided it's not going to be good running cool, so swapping another thermostat plate with stock size bleed holes. What a pleasant task with the bubble butt exhaust, but it's off. If it's any consolation, the heads and exhaust cover needed to be re-torqued and 3 of the exhaust bolts aren't accessible with the thermosat hoses in place.

So I've got that going for me. Which is nice.

 

[interalian]

Note for the next person to change thermostats on bubble butt motors. Hope you have small hands. And 847 makes it easier. Running much warmer now. Shakedown part 3 tomorrow morning. Third time's the charm?

 

[jimmbo]

Looks like a nice day tomorrow, high of 26 and winds 10 SE