starting fleetwin after rebuild, advice please

[jdbwvd]

Hello all,

well I finally finished the rebuild on my 1955 fleetwin... new ignition (coils, points, plugs, wires), rebuilt carb (new jets, float, gaskets) and lower unit (new dog clutch, bearings, seals, impeller).

Anyways, I'm following the procedure set forth so many times to set the needles, but I'm only running in a trash can right now. So, I understand it won't run its best until I get it out on the lake. I am surprised at how far in both needles need to be turned in for it to run well. Both high speed and low speed needles are about 1/3 turn from seated. I figured that the 1.5 turn and 1 turn settings wound be closer to "correct" than that! Is everything ok or should I be worried?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: starting fleetwin after rebuild, advice please

What you discibe is not a rebuild, it is what I call, grooming a dead horse! What was the compression before starting all this? It will probably tell you why your engine won't pull in fuel.

 

[jdbwvd]

Re: starting fleetwin after rebuild, advice please

So apparantly the needles ARE too far in? Well, bone dry after 5 years the compression was about 65 even. But now that it's running, it's up to about 85 even. I've been accused of grooming a dead horse before... Don't ask me about my willys.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: starting fleetwin after rebuild, advice please

I was mistaken about the needle valves, I would not pump money into a 50+ year old engine without a look at the internals. With the large knob, or high speed needle, that engine should come up to full RPM, by turning in, or out. Full RPM is 4500, maybe a little higher in a trash can.

 

[jdbwvd]

Re: starting fleetwin after rebuild, advice please

yeah, as I've got through this project, I've realized many times over my money would be better spent on a motor in better shape. However, it was a learning experience and a good time. It's a catch-22... you don't know what to look for in a used boat motor until you buy one and take it apart!

It's going to be impossible to tune it in a trash can, as the prop tosses too much water around in FWD and cavitates. However, I was a bit disturbed about how far in the needles were being set just to run decently, and I wanted to check with this forum before I chanced it out on the open water. I'll be bringing an electric trolling motor for backup.