1973 rude 85hp

[wavrider]

Got bored at the office yesterday so rode down by the port, local marina had a line of crossflows out back, seven or eight of them.

Of course I stopped in to look at a 73 85hp rude caught my eye, everything is complete. Owner stated $350 and he would load it up in the truck.

I researched the problems with this engine, seems like a lot of ignition problems and cold starting.

I brought my vtvm, compression gauge, timing light and spark tester with me today to check the engine out.

Plan on compression first, should be 100 or so on all 4, should be getting 300vac out of the stator to the amp, looks like new amp installed so I suspect ignition problems in the past.

Looks like the stator and timing base is still available but very expensive.
I am going to check it out at lunch time so any suggestions or experiences with this engine would be greatly appreciated. thanks WAV.

Oh no tilt or trim but picked up a cmc unit last night, traded for an old 8hp merc, clean engine but I have no use for a merc.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Check for color green under the flywheel. That will let you know if the ignition was updated or not. typically, run the compression and spark tests with the plugs out. Drain a small amount of gear oil from the fill hole to check for water intrusion. Look for excessive corrosion around bolts, wiring etc.; these motors did not come with much in the way of anodes.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Thanks for the reply and advice.

I did a quick physical look over yesterday, did not see excessive corrosion.
Marina is in a brackish environment, River, mostly more fresh than saline depending on the amount of rain we get.

Looks like factory paint on the engine, faded but no sign of overheating, will look up under fly wheel see if green electrics, check gear lube in foot for water intrusion,thanks, wav.

 

[outboardnut]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

I think those are fairly good engines all in all. You have to realize with older engines compared to new ones that used parts are going to be MUCH easier to get.
You also usually have many options on after market parts.
$350 is a very low investment for an outboard........

I have at least 4 of those old v-4's I've parted out in the last 6 months. If I can help you with something let me know.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Thanks outboardnut, will keep you in mind when searching for parts, fixing to go look at the motor in a few minutes.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

compression was 120 to 125 on all cyl. spark tester showed good blue spark on all 4, Green coils, under the flywheel looked like red pickups, probaly need replacing soon as i seen what looked like resin, hardened, possible pcb leakage from pickup coils?

Foot lube was clean, slightly brown but no sign of water intrusion.
Shifted cleanly into forward n reverse, prop included and for another $50 threw in wiring harness and remote with key and cables,

timing base had smooth movement with the throttle advance, no binding.
Carbs looked as well as can be expected and butterfly's opened fully with the throttle.

Had to smile at the wire fishing leader tied to the choke, no choke solenoid, got a spare at the shop.

Small amount of corrosion on the shock under the engine but only surface, going to mount it on the cmc t-n-t so all in all think it may be a worthwhile project, should push the skeeter real well.

Thanks for all the advice and hints, WAV.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Finally got the 85hp out of the back of the truck and into the shop on a stand.

Put the tank under it and hooked up the $50 wire harness and controls. Key wont turn, switch corroded, ok no big deal order another switch and fix that when the time comes.

Hooked the fuel line to the engine pumped it hard and felt good. Stayed hard.

Choked it and put the jumper cabls to ground, hit the starter, spun over and tried to crank, little bit of throttle and tried again, fired up, fuel pump working over time, bottem carb leaking like a you know what. choked it until it died, drained tank, came here and ordered two carb kits and water pump repair kit.
Should have her purring hopefully Saturday. Thanks for all advice.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

You might want to elevate the fuel tank. The old lift pumps are not really able to lift from the ground up very well.

Remember that the motor needs 300RPM to fire.

The chokes need to be absolutely 100% closed to fire that beast when the engine is cold. Take the cover off the carburetors so you can see that the engine vacuum is not overwhelming the choke plates when you crank the engine.

The 1973 motors did not have the clips between the needles and the float arms, but they will be in the kit. You need them installed.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Thanks for the info on the clips, will make sure I install them, also the choke, I will use a solenoid off a set of 115 carbs I bought on e-bay as a spare set. the 85 has a manual choke now, wire fishing leader (grin).

Going to NAPA get some carb clean solvent and let the carbs soak for a few days then when the kits get in this Friday I will reassemble.

Can acetone be used to remove the gum and varnish from carbs? I do not think it has any adverse effects on metal?

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Research shows acetone wont hurt, this group even adds it to fuel to increase gas mileage.
"http://www.pureenergysystems.com/news/2005/03/17/6900069_Acetone/"

I am going to try it in place of carb cleaner solution and see how it does, acetone is $13 a gallon carb cleaner solvent is $50 gal, will post the results

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Keep the acetone away from the hoses gaskets and any nylon parts. And don't use it unless the carbs are off the engine. Keep acetone away from any painted surface.

BTW, the fuel hoses on those motors are not alcohol resistant like the newer ones, so it is a great time to replace them when you are working on the carbs.

The 1973 V4 had two wires to the choke solenoid, one from the choke toggle switch on the remote, and one from the thermal sesnsor that is located on top of the block next to the lifting eye.

In 1974, Service Bulletin 1335 recommended re-wiring both leads to the toggle switch and disconnecting the sensor.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Know about the acetone and paint, I use it for prep on fiberglass work, clean about anything.

Only plan on soaking the metal parts in the acetone, put it in an old coffee can and put the lid on for a couple days then blow compressed air through passages.

Going to re plumb everything on the engine, and wire solenoid, after I install one, as per service bulliten. Thanks for replies.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Tried the acetone, worked great, really cleaned up that varnish and gum quickly, was very careful to remove any plastics and nylon.

Put carbs back together, yes without new gaskets the rebuild kits will be here this Friday. Idled great and ran smooth.

Did decarb and smoked like a banshee. Had to turn the shop fan on to clear the smoke. Think I fouled a spark plug had intermittent miss after de-carb. I will pick up some new carbs tomorrow.

Need to rebuild the fuel pump, leaks now. Thanks for all the advice and hints.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

Finally got the chance to get the new plugs in, gapped .030, and it still has a slight miss intermittent at idle, increase to around 1000 or so and smooths out, all tests done in the barrel not on muffs. I will try .040 next see if it straightens out

Link n sync seems odd,, butterfly's will not open all the way maybe only open around 75 to 80% of the way, adjustment maxed out on the throttle screw.

I have not checked the timing yet, not enough time in the day have to wait for the weekend, that may be the cause if timing is set to low at wot, still have plenty of linkage to make butterflies fully open but timing stop is preventing that. the seloc manual says that butterflies should be almost full open when sync'd.

I did notice some leakage or what looked like leakage above the top carb on the power head, maybe a pickup coil leaking and causing the intermittent miss fire. I will have to dig into it more.

Any ideas or suggestions? thanks for the replies.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1973 rude 85hp

WOW talk about fast service, parts from this site got here 36 hours ahead of time and everything complete and fit great.

Only broke one bolt getting the water pump housing out and the new bolts were included with the water pump kit.

Definately know where I will order the parts I need from now on.

Thanks for all the advice and tips