Tachometer

[chry120]

I am thinking about adding a tach to my boat(for further tuning on the motor), and I see through other posts that some of the older Chrysler have some specific tachs that are used just for them. What does this 20 pole alternator thing mean? I always under the impression that a tach was a tach. At any rate, I was hoping some one could explain this to me??? My motor is a 1977 chrysler 120. Do I even need to worry about this? The manual just says "hook the tach up to the designated wires." Not much help....<br />Thanks!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Tachometer

Yes it is...there is a place for a tach wire on the powerhead wire panel. But you have a 27 year old Chrysler/Force that runs (that in itself is a wonder), so I would just use it until it quits, and it will soonner or later. Don't waste money.

 

[chry120]

Re: Tachometer

Thanks Robby, but that doesn't help me... I don't have the leisure(money) to just say-"Aww Runn err 'till she drops!!!" I definitely don't want to neglect an old motor just so I can go out and spend another $5000(or more) on a newer motor because I didn't take care of that 27 year old gem that just needed a few minor mantenance things! Seems pretty ignorant...

 

[chry120]

Re: Tachometer

I guess while have the attention here, I was just wondering how much steam is normal to see come out of these motors? It pumps LOTS of water and doesn't overheat, but I'm worried that the steam that is coming out of the motor is too much. Just a worry wart I guess. There is some steam that hangs around by the motor, not like engulfing the motor or anything, just a question.<br />Thanks again!

 

[seldont]

Re: Tachometer

AS far as the tach is concerned why don't you try a Tiny Tach?? Universal fit. I think they are a one wire pick up. While I do not have one myself I hear and read where lots of people praise them for older engines which are sometimes hard to find the correct tachometer for.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Tachometer

Are you sure that steam is not smoke? I guess I never heard of steam coming out of an outboard before. Seems to me in order to create steam the water temps need to exceed 212 degrees and that motor probably has a 130 to 140 thermostat. If it is smoke what ratio are you mixing your gas?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Tachometer

I won't argue the the original tach question, as you ask for opinions here, and if you don't like the what ya get, no sweat off my a... On the steam question, yer damn right it will steam! That exhaust can run WAY OVER 212 fer crying out loud, those water jackets carry that heat away. And my 1988 125 Force steams up a whole bunch idleing down after a 3500 rpm putt, REALLY STEAMS AFTER FULL THROTTLE RUN...and been doing it for the last 10 years in salt water. Don't worry about it. And just about EVERY outboard in my 112 slip marina steams coming in after a good run.

 

[chry120]

Re: Tachometer

Seldont-<br /> This tiny tach... any idea where to find it? I'll look around the web... Euro- running 50:1 on the oil. Robby- First off thanks for the response.. I just wanted to make sure that the steam was normal and that I was not over heating or had water in the cylinders as it has been years since I have been around ANY outboards and couldn't remember what was normal.<br />Thanks!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Tachometer

Originally posted by chry120:<br /> water in the cylinders as it has been years since I have been around ANY outboards and couldn't remember what was normal.<br />Thanks!

Aint no such thing as normal!! And on water in the cylinders, if you pull a plug and the carbon is gone and the plug is shiny, you got water.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Tachometer

www.tinytach.com

 

[chry120]

Re: Tachometer

Roscoe,<br /> I was just looking at your last pst here and realized that you are from Medford. What a coincidence, I am from Wausau! Do you do outboard repair or something? I see you post a lot thats why I ask. Maybe(if you do) I could send some work your way. <br />Thanks again

 

[roscoe]

Re: Tachometer

Hi chry120, I'm no tech. I just learned enough from iboats and my manuals to keep my motors running, and make me dangerous. Just trying to help others , if I can.<br /><br />Originally from Milw, got sick of the city and moved here.!??<br /><br />How's your motor been running?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Tachometer

Ex-inlaws live in Minocqua on the lake! Friend in Wausau, and boated Chain-of-Lakes since birth in Northern Ill. Puget Sound now 10 years. Mid-West people still the best! And if you think fresh water scums up the hull, ya outta try saltwater! You could fill your potholes with my barnacles!

 

[chry120]

Re: Tachometer

Roscoe,

 

[chry120]

Re: Tachometer

Roscoe,<br /> To answer your question about my motor, sadly it(after a lot of tinkering) still is not idling well. When I start it,it starts good and idles well out of gear. When I put it in gear it wants to die, but if I give it just the right amount of throttle I can keep it running. Then at middle or full throttle it runs great! The reason I wanted a Tach was so I could tell what RPM I was running at idle and at WOT. Do you think that 37mph out of that motor seems good on a fairly shallow 17' tri-hull? I am running a 17 pitch(aluminum) and a 19 pitch(stainless) and they both seems to run about the same 37mph. I would think that the 19 pitch should push this combo up to maybe 40-45mph or am I mistaken? <br />Wisconsin Cheese is still the best!<br />Thanks

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Tachometer

Hey chry120. It sounds like your carbs and or fuel pump need to be rebuilt. The idle problem is common here. You probably have some varnish or water stuck in your carb or the diaphram on your fuel pump is dried out stretched or got a pin hole in it. The fuel pump kit runs about 10 bucks and the rebuild kit for each carb is about 15 bucks. If that dont fix it I would replace the fuel seats in the fuel pump and replace all the fuel line. To test if it is fuel related try pushing the choke in when motor bogs down. IF the motor comes back up on rpm then your problem is fuel related. The carb rebuiid and the fuel pump rebuild is pretty simple. Those fuel seats can be a bear to get out. Hope this helps.

 

[chry120]

Re: Tachometer

Thanks Euro<br />I think I'm going to try the carb rebuild because the motor seems to get a lot of fuel, so I doubt it is the fuel pump. Thanks again!