Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

[healey8390]

I took my boat out yesterday for the first time in seven monts and was looking forward to it as I had put bigger carbs and manifolds on from a Force 125. I have a 1983 Chrysler 90HP 4 cylinder. It has Prestolite ignition with two powerpacks and four coils, black in color. I like to call my engine a first generation Force. Before leaving I had the hood off to check the idle and timing nut size so I could take some tools just in case I had to make some adjustments on the water. Anyway, we get out there and head to our destination and it lagged, took a while to get on plane. My first thought was that the carbs were too big and the engine couldn't handle all the fuel. About half way there I say enough is enough and stop and pull the hood. I was SHOCKED to find that the #1 plug was broken with a piece of it still in the boot AND the #4 plug wire was disconnected too! So I reconnect #4 and put #1 back too as I got lucky in the way it was broken the boot held the plug on to the remaining piece in the head. It obviously ran way better, I assumed I was running on 3 but was half *** hoping #1 would fire correctly but I couldn't tell for sure. If I had to guess I'd say #1 wasn't firing becuase It would only turn 3800 RPM, not the 4000 it turned previously to changing the carbs (remeber I have a propping issue and went from 4500 to 4000 when I changed my props). Anyway, we fish for a good while and when we head in I let my friend drive. About 10 minutes into heading back it starts running funny again so we stop and I pull the cover and this time the bowl from the top carb came undone and is sitting on the engine pan! I put it back and we head in.

My reasons against sabotage would be that I could of easily hit the top plug and broken in when I put the cover back before leaving AND that my cowling doesn't latch. Also, I did a rebuild on the carbs before installing them so I'm the last one to work on them. My reasons for sabotage would be how the hell did the #4 wire get disconnected? The cowling slides forward when towing as the engine is tilted up, thust PUSHING against the plugs, not pulling on them. Also, I obvioulsy test ran the enige a few times and if the carb bowl was that loose I'd of seen it. I do admit both bowls leaked a little bit but stopped shortly after. Plus the top bowl has easy quick access while the bottom bowl is harder to get to. In the end if I screwed up I'll happily own it as this isn't a pride issue lol. Feedback please, thanks everyone.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

Fix the probs., especially the loose cowl and broken plug, then go boating. Reoccurence(sp), well, then lets talk

 

[healey8390]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

Fix the probs., especially the loose cowl and broken plug, then go boating. Reoccurence(sp), well, then lets talk

I replaced the plugs and bowl gasket today and it ran fine. After that I checked compression as #1 and #2 were momentarily fuel starved since the bowl fell off and the results were good thank God. Compression ranged from 133-138 on all 4! The cowl's going to be a bytch to fix becuase the latch is broken and it's part of the base plate that the cowl rests on. Probably a hard find for an old motor.

When I first seen the broken plug I figured I broke it when I last put the cowl on. Later on that night when I was laying down is when I started thinking more and wondering. I figured if I broke the plug I would of felt it and was wondering how the bottom wire would of gotten pulled off. Then on top of all that the carb bowl comes loose so I was like "Hold on a minute". Anyway when I was thinking of the scenarios of who? why? and when? It obviously seems very unlikely that is was sabotage. I guess the moral of the story is not to ponder conspiracy theories after a day of fishing when you're tired as hell lol.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

Pic of the cowl and latch. Bet we can jerry rig something till a replacement shows up.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

It's J U R Y rig. Not Jerry
Went boating about 3 weeks ago.
Stbd engine wouldn't get up to speed???
Stopped and pulled the hood,bottom wire had come loose???
I ended up taking a piece of thick paper,cutting it in 3/8 X 1 in pieces of paper and inserting them in the plug cap.Stopped the slip.
Sabatage?
Since you added carbs from a different motor? Keep an eye on the plugs after you run at high speeds?
Check for burning too hot or too cold? Run at high speed, shut motor off,don't idle and pull the plugs and see what condition they are in.
Possible the jets need to be changed??
Had a friend who rebuilt a 4cyl and bored out .030 over on all 4 and ended up burning a hole in a piston.Needed to rejet.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

It's J U R Y rig. Not Jerry

You are both showing your age. The PC term is now field engineer.


You are welcome.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

Yeah! fix the cowl--even if you need to JERRY-RIG something LOL.

I sincerely hope and doubt that it was sabotage. It was more than likely Murphy, who has a way of showing up at inopportune times to demonstrate his law.

In fact, just last week I had the bottom bowl fall off while testing An engine into which I had transplanted a different crank. Oh, Man! Gas was blowing all over the place and some was actually getting into the carb.

It is quite easy to break the porcelain insulator of spark plugs. A wrench on crooked will sometimes do it. And a greasy insulator can slip off a rubber boot, especially if it is old and hard.

Before you run the engine again, go over all systems. Buy a junk cover and salvage the rear clip from it or refinish the cover itself. If it is just the latch itself, remove the nut inside and drive out the shaft, Try not to just grab and twist since if it is really tight, the handle will break. Then remove the two plastic bushings and clean the hole well. (corrosion of the aluminum will expand and grab the shaft.) Then grease the two bushings and the hole itself. Grease the shaft and reassemble everything. You will have a smooth operating latch.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

You are both showing your age. The PC term is now field engineer.


You are welcome.

Never too old to relearn.:joyous:

 

[healey8390]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

View attachment 200457View attachment 200458View attachment 200459View attachment 200460Yeah! fix the cowl--even if you need to JERRY-RIG something LOL.

I sincerely hope and doubt that it was sabotage. It was more than likely Murphy, who has a way of showing up at inopportune times to demonstrate his law. In fact, just last week I had the bottom bowl fall off while testing An engine into which I had transplanted a different crank. Oh, Man! Gas was blowing all over the place and some was actually getting into the carb.

It is quite easy to break the porcelain insulator of spark plugs. A wrench on crooked will sometimes do it. And a greasy insulator can slip off a rubber boot, especially if it is old and hard.

Before you run the engine again, go over all systems. Buy a junk cover and salvage the rear clip from it or refinish the cover itself. If it is just the latch itself, remove the nut inside and drive out the shaft, Try not to just grab and twist since if it is really tight, the handle will break. Then remove the two plastic bushings and clean the hole well. (corrosion of the aluminum will expand and grab the shaft.) Then grease the two bushings and the hole itself. Grease the shaft and reassemble everything. You will have a smooth operating latch.

Yeah amen at the first bolded part.

Frank it's the latch that's messed up. The handle is missing and IIRC it broke off because it froze and it's missing the hook part that holds the cowl down too. Do you think it'd be easier/cheaper to get a used base plate that has a working latch? By the looks of it my guess would be that I'd brake the pan when I try do drive the shaft out.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

Post a pic of the parts or the area your working on.I might have one? You pay postage and it's yours.
You'd probably need to remove the powerhead to replace the lower cowl.

 

[tater76]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

If you can show a pic of your cowl, and pieces you need I can look through my stash for ya.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

With this forum, Jerry rig is about the right term! LOL. You should have seen Jerry's special tool for installing back brushes in his starter, I've never thought there will be any other uses for an old worn our license plate! Hence, Jerry rig! Anyways, as for the cowling latch you can always install or improvised even with a locking option same as those used on tools boxes, spring loaded with lock options. Or those used on ammo boxes. Just make sure you get one that is galvanized at least or even better stainless to avoid rust.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

^^ Thank you ^^:laugh:

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

You will not break the pan getting the old shaft out. A little penetrant, some heat (you will destroy the bushings but they are cheap and probably can be found at the hardware store). Then grab and twist the remaining part of the handle with a vise-grip while pulling out. It will come. If Jerry and Tater don't have the parts, I do.

 

[notsunkyet]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

So ok Jerry_rig ( hehe) and Jigs and Tater and frank.... where can i get replacement decals for my force? ... was kinda wanting to go back to something like the 86 style or something simple like a force logo and and 85 in a bottom corner... but dang i went to a sign shop and they wanted 43 a side!!!!! any other ideas on the cheap ( and no no stick on boat ID letters)

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

You're sunk.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

You can find them but they are not cheap! You can also try eBay.

Here's one:
Force Decals - OutboardDecals.com - 1000's of Outboard Decals in Stock.

 

[healey8390]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.



Here are the pics guys. The cowl seems to be fine, it looks like the part where the latching hook grabs onto is there. On the engine side it looks like I'm missing everything except the shaft (which is frozen). Jerry, Frank, or Tate if yall have the parts I'll be happy to pay shipping plus some more. Let me know what I need!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

Just drive the shaft through from outside then as I said, remove the bushings and clean the aluminum hole.

On the cover, be VERY careful if you try to adjust the latch: Those two screws are ALWAYS corroded and easy to snap. If you absolutely need to adjust, soak them well with penetrant for days before trying to loosen them.

I have all the parts you need, but Jerry and Tater were there first so send me a PM only if they can't help.

 

[tater76]

Re: Was my outboard sabotaged? Long.

I do have those parts, but like Frank said, they would be a *%&$# to get out without breaking. It might be easier to just replace the lower pan with one that has a good latch (I'm sure Frank and Jerry have those too, I do as well). If you end up needing it pm any of us.

The decals can be made by a sign shop. I take my old cowl/hoods to them, they take measurements, input them into their fancy software, and $30 bucks later I have two new decals. It helps to bring them a case of beer once and a while too