What to do with all these freebies.

[thunnus69]

I'm new to boating and to this forum. Since I've joined a couple of weeks ago I have come into 4 engines antique and newer models outboards 3.3, 9.5 40, and 50 HP. These engines were all freebies and are now in my basement. I read here that I should begin with a compression test. How do I do this, is there a tool I can buy?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

first you should identify each motor, to year, model.
yes a compression test would be my first step to see if it is a viable base to start with, then spark test. read this: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

you need to buy a screw in, with hose, compression tester, you remove the plugs, install tester in one cylinder, then pull rope as if starting, 6 times. get reading, go to next cylinder. i would post your results here for guidance.

i use this compression tester. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92720

this spark tester http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/LIS-50850.html

 

[Rick.]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

I have received a few gifts in the form of outboards as well. I have yet to receive one that hasn't cost me $$ to get running properly so start with the engine you can make the best use of and hopefully you will enjoy working on them as much as I do. I would assume these engines have been sitting for some time so pull the plugs and squirt some outboard oil in the cylinders before you start turning them over. The cylinders are probably dry as they sit right now. Good luck. Sounds like your going to have a busy winter ahead. Purchasing a factory service manual is necessary IMO but I wouldn't do that until you've checked the compression. In the FAQ part of this forum you will find an article about "awakening a sleeping outboard" which is a good guide to work by. Rick.

 

[thunnus69]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

Thanks for the replies. I just ordered a compression tester and ignition spark tester. Once I perform these tests I will post with the results. Hopefully these tests will narrow my options.
Thanks Again,
Joe

 

[thunnus69]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

Just built my stands and ran compression tests.
- 40hp 1960 Lark 40 psi and 90 psi
-9.5 hp 1964 Sportwin 65psi and 65psi
-3.3hp 1948 Sportwin 80psi and 80psi

Could someone advise me on the 40hp and 9.5hp please. Not sure about the proper psi for the 9.5hp. The 40hp seems like a problem but I have little experience and don't know what to do. A major fix up is beyond me capabilities (for now anyways). Is the 40 hp worth parting out, selling as is, or spending $ (how much??) to get it fixed?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[BSDenning]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

before I parted out that 40 hp, I would take the head off and check the head gasket to see if it is blown. You could just have a blown head gasket on the cylinder that has low compression. Replacing the head gasket is a relatively easy fix and not too expensive. Make sure you squirt some oil in the cylinders before pulling the rope so that you don't damage the cylinders.

65 psi is low compression on the 9.5 hp, but both cylinders are the same, so that motor may be able to run ok.

The 3.3hp sounds like it has good compression.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

lay the 9.5 on it's face, put some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders, and let it sit like that for a week. then pull the plugs, drain the oil, turn it over a few times, to blow oil out. then try compression again. this may free up the rings.

the 40 was a great and easy to work on motor, as said it could just be a head gasket, then soak like the 9.5.

 

[JB]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

I agree that the 40 may not be that much of a problem. Carbon in the rings can cause that much drop, and a good decarb (after it is running) might fix it. There is also a good possibility that what BSDenning suggests, a new head gasket, could fix it. Broken rings or severe cylinder damage usually drop the psi lower than that.

I would call the 9.5 okay. 65psi seems low, but it is a rope start motor and they usually read lower than electric start. I usually accept a rope start motor that has over 50psi and even.

 

[thunnus69]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

Thanks for the replies. How would I know if the head gasket is no good once I pull it apart?
-Joe

 

[K.B]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

Good eve!

The usual evidence is a "carbon blackened" rip,tear,blowout between cylinder hole to water jacket hole giving said cylinder a cleaner piston top than the sealed cylinder. You'll know by looking. Sometimes it is between the cylinder to outside whereupon you would see evidence of oil on the side of the head or powerhead.

BE VERY EASY taking the head off. After breaking the head bolts loose, only loosen one to two turns of the bolts and then tap the head loose so as not to mess up the gaskets revealing evidence.

Make sense?

 

[iwombat]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

There's only a few things that can lead to a drastically uneven reading like that. You've either got catastrophic failure of the piston and/or rings, severely carboned up rings, or a gasket blew. If the former there will be no mistaking what you're looking at. If everything looks ok, you can basically assume the gasket blew and just replace it - don't forget to plane down the head. Close inspection of the gasket can often reveal where it blew. Sometimes, you just can't see the evidence very well though. Removal of the intake inspection cover will expose the rings so you can tell if they're carboned up.

 

[thunnus69]

Re: What to do with all these freebies.

Thanks. I will open her up this weekend, carefully as you suggested. I'm hoping it's an easy fix (gasket).
-Joe