35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

[puddleboater]

Greetings,

This is my first post and am hoping for some help.

I bought a mid to late 1960s (?) Chrysler OB. I don't know what year it is and haven't been able to find any plates or inscriptions anywhere on the outboard about it's year or serial#. Anyway, it has two control levers; one for F-N-R and the other is for accelaration. The last time I had an outboard with this type of control was on a 1959 Johnson 35HP OB.

The motor fires right up and has good water discharge.

I took the boat out for a trial run and it would only run at slow speeds (5-6 mph). When I try to accelarate, the motor begins to stall until I back off. Going to mid-range doesn't happen, as the motor dies. Once the motor dies, it takes several attempts to re-start. My buddy believes that the motor is being starved of gas.

The previous owner had been fiddling with the control linkages and as a consequence, the motor would only go in reverse and neutral, but not forward gear. A friend of mine was able to adjust the timing and gear shift, to where the motor idles nicely and now engages in both gears properly. My friend also repeatedly got the motor to rev up wide-open while in neutral. It's only when it is under load that it dies beyond 5-6mph.

Any ideas as to what our problem could be?

Another thing is the previous owner placed the fuel tank (portable six-gallon) at the bow of the boat (13 1/2 foot runabout), which I thought was unusual given that almost every boat I've owned had the tank near the stern. In addition, the fuel line primer bulb takes longer than normal to fill up. There is also no ingnition switch. Starting the motor requires crossing two wires, which doesn't really bother me. The remaing cables are a morass. The electric choke solenoid is also dead.

I'm not really concerned about these other issues, as I can remedy them. Perhaps it might help explain the cause of the accelaration problem.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I thought the more details the better.

Any and all constructive replies would be appreciated!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

I would say that from the symptoms, your buddy may be right. Starved for gas. Try pumping the primer bulb when you accelerate and see if that helps. If so, then I would look at a new fuel pump diaphragm.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

You will want to test compression and spark first. If you are unable to do this pull the spark plugs and look at the tips and see if they are dirty or clean. If one is clean and the other is dirty the problem lies in the clean one. A damaged diaphragm could be the problem but this sounds like one of your cylinders is not firing.

One reason to put the gas tank in the bow is for weight distribution. With motor and one guy in the back it can be tough to get a boat up on plane. Just moving the gas tank towards the middle of the boat can make a world of difference.

 

[puddleboater]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

Thank you both, for your input!

 

[puddleboater]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

I just remembered. We pulled the spark plugs two days ago and both were dirty. We cleaned the tips of both plugs and placed them back into the head. We started the motor and it performed a little better, at least while idling.

Could it be that one cylinder is still not firing? Shall I pull out a lead and check for spark? What's the best method to do this? Or is it more likely the fuel pump?

I don't have a shop manual. I know one of my local libraries has a Chilton's available, but I can't get to it until tomorrow.

 

[wickware]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

I have tried to send you a private message which is as below (related to sending Pics via e-mail vs the forum). I have tons of Pics from my 1968?70 listed 35HP Chrysler that might be helpful to you in identifying your motor and possibly some problems. I will only be interested in sending the pics directly to an e-mail address because up-loading more than 2-4 is not friendly through the forum (due to some sizing slightly out of range and etc.). Probably a search of wickware will lead you to pics of my 35 HP that I have shared.

Private messages are not friendly as the pics if you are not doing it regular. To receive a private message look just above Quick Links on the right toward the top. JOW

 

[wickware]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

I ran a search and did not seeing any possibly ID Pics. Attached are some of the best identity pics and only 2-3 needed resizing. Disregard the 55HP cover on the 35HP. I have linkage, control and shift rod positions for reverse and forward and other Pics if needed.

Good Luck!
Jow

 

[puddleboater]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

I ran a search and did not seeing any possibly ID Pics. Attached are some of the best identity pics and only 2-3 needed resizing. Disregard the 55HP cover on the 35HP. I have linkage, control and shift rod positions for reverse and forward and other Pics if needed.

Good Luck!
Jow

Your motor looks identical to mine. I found the plate which indicated the model to be 3541; I was told that it is a 1968 35 HP. My motor also has the dual controls for gear shift and throttle, although your's looks different. I'll take pics and will post in a day or two.

 

[wickware]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

My 35 HP Chrysler Model # 3355, Serial # 2365 was sold to me in 1985 on a 1968 Raycraft 15' boat. The motor was said to be a 1970 Model Chrysler by the owner. A local Marina's parts Dept shows it to be a 1970-72. It has been a solid engine w/o any unusual problems or costs. Such as:

1. I have put points/condensers in once, plugs twice since 1985 but I check
them every two years unless I have a noticeable power problems.

2. I checked the water pump's impeller initially but good flow keeps me out.

3. My current concern is did I over oil points wicks or am I seeing blow-by.

4. I've enjoyed the engine, boat, my share of fish and playing by ear now.

JOW

 

[steelespike]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

Loosen the plug wires and start the motor.With insulated pliers pull one wire
at a time if you have no spark on one cylinder when you pull the good one it will stall.If this has electric start it may have a battery type ignition like cars
of that time.

 

[puddleboater]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

Loosen the plug wires and start the motor.With insulated pliers pull one wire
at a time if you have no spark on one cylinder when you pull the good one it will stall.If this has electric start it may have a battery type ignition like cars
of that time.

Thanks, steelespike!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

Fuel pump rebuild kit is like $10 bucks. Part number is Sierra 18-7806 and you can probably get one from NAPA. Just replace the diaphragm and main gasket. You wont need a manual to do this. Get two champion L82C spark plugs. They are like two bucks each and also available from NAPA. Out of pocket cost is under 20 bucks. If that don't help then you are going to need a manual. The Champion L82C are a very close match to the no longer availible L4J plugs that are called out by chrysler for that motor.

 

[puddleboater]

Re: 35 HP Chrysler OB accelaration problem

Fuel pump rebuild kit is like $10 bucks. Part number is Sierra 18-7806 and you can probably get one from NAPA. Just replace the diaphragm and main gasket. You wont need a manual to do this. Get two champion L82C spark plugs. They are like two bucks each and also available from NAPA. Out of pocket cost is under 20 bucks. If that don't help then you are going to need a manual. The Champion L82C are a very close match to the no longer availible L4J plugs that are called out by chrysler for that motor.

Thanks for the part number, Euro. Hopefully, that's all that I'm going to need.