Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

[Clams Canino]

Specificly regarding the inlines. More tomorrow. Just saw a whole day go away. <br /><br />I'll give the defense the 1st post.... I'm that sure... <br /><br /><br />-W

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

Auto shop owner had his brother in law blow up a mid 70's 1500 on a 2002 bass boat. They tore it down and rebuilt it "for performance" using Wisco pistons and Boyson reeds.<br /><br />Then it came to me to find the "problem".<br /><br />The Wisco pistons were OK - same as stock except that you need to warm them up real good before hammering them (being forged).<br /><br />However after a day of extensive testing we all discovered that the Boysen reeds shaved at least 500 rpm off the top end, killed the hole-shot, did not idle as well, and in general hurt the performance of the motor in all areas. <br /><br />We finally pulled a set of reed blocks off an old crank I had laying around and slapped them in without pulling the pistons all the way out.<br /><br />On the next water test the critter "woke up" and acted like the raped ape the merc 1500 was renowned for. The problem was the new reeds / just the reeds - no other changes.<br /><br />I will be contacting Pro-Marine tomorrow and IMPLORING them to pull the Boysen reeds for the old "direct charge" inlines from the catalog ASAP, the auto-shop owner will contact Boyson and try to deal with them on his end. <br /><br />This product is "beyond bad" - they were awefull.<br /><br />-W<br /><br />Disclaimer: this speaks only to the reeds fo rthe "direct charge" inlines - it does NOT speak to any other Boysen reed product - many of which are very good.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

Whelp!... I have to disagree with Boysen being bad. They have done nothing but improve everything across the board for me. GRANTED my engine is different....2001 Merc 3 cylinder, 40 HP., converted to 50 HP.<br /> Originally (before 50 HP conversion), put in the reeds and gained about 200 RPM, MUCH improved idle and better hole shot, about 1.5 MPH increase in speed (GPS). It is important that you POLISH the reed block EVENLY so that the Boysen reeds seat properly or they WILL LEAK back and create a bunch of problems as you are describing.(On my motor this took almost three hours for a 3 cylinder reed block) I know several individuals who did not do this and they got poor results because they were too "lazy" to do the job rite. You CAN NOT jus' pop them in and run. In additon the torq settings of the reed bolts are EXTREMELY important so that you don't curl them up causing improper seal also. In SOME applications you MUST retain the reed stops if they were used.<br /> And on a last thought, didja call Boysen to find out if there was a problem or if they had a solution to your problem? They are VERY helpful towards thier customers needs.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

R.I.F. - see the disclaimer. I was speaking to the "direct charge" inline reeds **only**. <br /><br />And yes the blocks were polished and Cod knows he was real anal about the torque values. The reeds just plain sucked twinkies in that application. It cost him $160 for the reeds and $630 to ruin *my* Saturday out drinking R/C on my own boat. <br /><br />-W (who would rather have been out on the boat)

 

[2cycle]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

Clams,<br /><br />Interesting to hear the results of your testing. Needless to say, I'm glad that you steered me away from them when you rebuilt my 1500 that now also runs like a "raped ape." Thanks for the input..

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

It cost him $160 for the reeds and $630 to ruin *my* Saturday out drinking R/C on my own boat.

I hope you aren't talking about Royal Crown Cola (or at least something added to the Royal Crown). I'm thinking you're talking about a Bacardi and Cola version of what I call a "project beer".

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

I'm taking about rum and coke. <br /><br />And for 2cycle, I was unnaware of the severe issues with the Boysen reeds on the inlines when I steered you clear of them, I just have always had so much good luck with the mercury reeds I saw no reason to experiment and tempt fate. Alas, the autoshop owner tempted fate. <sigh><br />The good news is the word is out now.<br /><br />-W

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

My question still has not been answered..did any of you call Boysen to find out WHY?

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

I can tell you why.. they are too *thick* and unresponsive. Noysen is not likely to have a "why" , they are likly to deny knowledge of a problem or try to spin out of it - that's what companies do for a living.<br /><br />-W

 

[MKEPHART]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

Originally posted by FlyBoyMark:<br /> Whelp!... I have to disagree with Boysen being bad. They have done nothing but improve everything across the board for me. GRANTED my engine is different....2001 Merc 3 cylinder, 40 HP., converted to 50 HP.<br /> Originally (before 50 HP conversion), put in the reeds and gained about 200 RPM, MUCH improved idle and better hole shot, about 1.5 MPH increase in speed (GPS). It is important that you POLISH the reed block EVENLY so that the Boysen reeds seat properly or they WILL LEAK back and create a bunch of problems as you are describing.(On my motor this took almost three hours for a 3 cylinder reed block) I know several individuals who did not do this and they got poor results because they were too "lazy" to do the job rite. You CAN NOT jus' pop them in and run. In additon the torq settings of the reed bolts are EXTREMELY important so that you don't curl them up causing improper seal also. In SOME applications you MUST retain the reed stops if they were used.<br /> And on a last thought, didja call Boysen to find out if there was a problem or if they had a solution to your problem? They are VERY helpful towards thier customers needs.

 

[MKEPHART]

Re: Beware Boysen reeds in Merc Inlines !!

Flyboymark----I would like to talk to you about your 40hp merc to 50 hp merc outboard upgrade.<br />I want to do the same thing, just purchased a 40 elpto and want to power-up. As far as i can tell, i need to buy bigger jets and remove my reed stops. any thing else I need to know? any adjustments necessary? Can I go with the 60hp jetting specs and make it a 60hp-or ir the exhust to restrictive for that? thankx, Mitch