Am I OK - compression reading

[bassa9]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

Well, my 1st post asking for help was back in April, and much has happened to my challenge to determine if my purchase was good or bad.
Bad moves: had two guys claiming they were experts at outboard repairs, but were far from being capable, cost me $ 550.00. Carbs were rebuilt by one who ended up coating me $ 700.00additional to correct his screw-ups. I now have a great running 70hp Johnson that pushed my boat to 31 mph and is hitting 5400 rpm at WOT. I think I can get a little more out of her, but I am very happy with the performance to date. The compressio tests (3) all read at 120, 120 and 120, so now I believe I have a good motor. There are people out there that claim to be experts, but are far from that level. I found a guy who cost more, but the results are worth the cost.

Thanks to all who offered help.

God Bless

 

[bassa9]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

One more question for the pros:

I have noticed that when running at a high speed the boats has an odd balance problem.
If I am in the boat by myself, the boat leans a little to the drivers side (starboard side). I move to the left a little and the boat runs flat. Now, if my wife is with me (129lbs) the boat will lean a little to port, and if she moves a little to the right the boat is again running flat. when trolling the boat runs flat with one or two people.

I have two batteries, one on the rear port side and the other on the starboard read side with a six gallon gas tank in the middle and not much weight up front under the deck. The boat is a 1965 glasspar avalon 15' 10"; it's a beauty.

Any ideas on what to try? I will live iwth it if there is no fix.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Bassa9

 

[JDusza]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

OMG!!! Do I read this right? You are out $1250 just for carburetor work?

Sounds like the first guys just threw parts at it and didn't bother to clean out those low speed jets.

If you don't mind me asking, why the $700 for correcting? Did the previous guys break something, too?
OUCH!!!

 

[bassa9]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

Jdusza,

When I picked the boat up from the self-titled machanic, there were parts in the transom, and good machanics don't work that way. It gave me a bad feeling which was confirmed after the sea-trial.

I was at the Johnson Dealers repair shop for part of the repairs.
Here is the list of work performed:
1. Troubleshoot engine - replaced plugs with new champions
2. #3 cylinder was spitting gas, found air silencer gasket was stuck in carb throat
3. Pulled carb and found reed plate stuck in reed block
4. Pulled intake and found something passed through motor
5. Replaced reed plate
6. Ran motor and found #2 carb flooding, rebuild #2 carb
7. Set link & sink

The motor runs great and I now can hit 31-32 mph at 5200 rpm at wot. I think in the spring I will have him rebuild the other two carbs and the 70 should be a great motor.

Any ideas on the balance issue?

 

[boobie]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

Not to scare you, but the boat could have "hook" in the bottom of it.

 

[bassa9]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

Interesting, I was wondering if that could be the problem. Any thoughts on which side may have the hook, and would that be the same side the boat heels?

 

[boobie]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

From the boats I've seen over the yrs, the hook is right down the center of the keel.

 

[JDusza]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

Thank you for the detail. I didn't want to belabor this, but I was curious about the work. Going in deep was indeed the right thing. This recent mechanic found several things that needed correction. I am glad to hear you are well on your way to bringing this back to "life." You'll have a good motor. No doubt you will be a more conscientious owner in that you want to understand, get it right and maintain it. Kudos!

I am not sure of the hull you are talking about, but, from your description of its reaction, I would guess it is a v-hull and it is very close to being ok. Vs are designed to cut through waves yielding a softer ride than a tri-hull or flat bottom but are not as stable. Trolling sounds right. You'll sit lower, not planing and there's no speed in trolling, so events happen "slower". Although a tri-hull or a flat bottom is more stable, it will pound the heck out of you at high speed in waves or rougher water. Depending on what you are used to riding in, yeah, this could feel different.

Check the hull for major inconsistencies and for high-drag points. Try bringing some of that battery weight to the center and fore. This should also help planing trim. A couple batteries is like carrying another small person. Approximating the fuel tank at 8# per gallon (water, not gas, yes, gas is a little lighter, it floats), 6 gallons is another 48#, perhaps 45# or so.

I'm no expert, but I think the theory is the engine wants to lift the boat from the water and ride on the prop; no hull in the water means minimal drag. Perhaps the weight in the stern is holding back a better trim. Check the hp rating on the hull for if it close to 70, it also means the engine is just about as heavy as you want to put on. Seems to me the boat should be able to take the weight of a 2-cycle 90 hp or so.

On a smaller scale, I have an 18 hp on a boat rated for 20. It scoots, no doubt, a regular beast, but the engine size means more weight on the stern (I have to keep the gas tank in the front) and after a good rain, she can get close to going down by the stern. In fact, during a recent hurricane, I got lazy saying I'll bail her in a couple hours. Once the stern got close to the waters edge, waves finished her off by swamping her. Right down, tied at the dock. My point being, the smaller the boat, the bigger the "feel" of ballast and trim. At 16 feet with 70 hp, you have a nice package and will have a lot of fun.

Best to you.
J

 

[bassa9]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

J, you are on the mark with hp rating for my boat. Factory specs say 40 to 90 hp. I made a decision to buy a 60 or 70hp to keep a lower weight on the transom. I originaly had a 25hp that was not enough for the boat weight. When I bought the boat it had no gelcoat on the keel from beaching. I had it refinished but nothing was said about any problem spots. I will check with the shop to see if they remember any areas of concern.

Question, I would like to move both batteries to the front deck area, but that will mean really long cables. Will that be an ok set-up or will there be voltage issues? I estimate the cable lengths at 12'.

Thanks for the help.

Bassa9

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Am I OK - compression reading

Batteries in the bow will take a real pounding, but otherwise is OK as long as you use really heavy cables. Not sure of the wire gauge, but it will be much larger than you have now and the batteries will have to be really well secured.