Fuel mixture

[vwfan79]

I just received the manual for my 1959 Elgin 40hp from the PO, and it calls for 6oz of oil per gallon of gas which would be just under 24:1, I've been running 40:1. Should I go to the 24:1 or am I ok with the 40:1, or should I split the difference and go with 32:1?

Thanks
Nick

 

[F_R]

Re: Fuel mixture

Your choice. You can either do as you are supposed to do, or you can do whatever you want to do.

 

[JB]

Re: Fuel mixture

What F_R said. What you are supposed to do is run 24:1.

Original Manuals are usually pretty clear except that they tell you to run the oil available at the time. You are allowed to improve on that by using modern oil, but not by changing the mix.

 

[vwfan79]

Re: Fuel mixture

What I want to do is whats best for the engine, I was only running such a rich mixture because when I got the motor all the forums I was reading said that was alright. When I got the manuals from the PO it said to run the 6oz/1gal. I'm new to these old outboards as of last year, if I was just going to do as I wanted to do then I wouldn't have asked the question, that what these forums are here for, so people can learn not to get smart *** replies.

Thanks

 

[RMasters]

Re: Fuel mixture

Ask 100 people, you get 100 answers, and yes, they are all different.

I would never ever bet the health of my motor on peoples "opinions", they like to post. I got lucky, my motor manufacturer is still in business, took me 30 seconds for a phone call and I knew for sure. Forum told me 100:1, yeah right. It is 50:1.

Good that you got a manual. It states that you have to use about 1 unit of oil for 24 units of gasoline. If you use more units of gasoline, you are running too lean! You do not want to do that. You can run too rich, but never too lean!

Ahoy!

 

[vwfan79]

Re: Fuel mixture

RMaster- thank you for the input, I figured the mixture would be kind of like a car, more gas is rich and more oil is lean. That is why I use these forums, see I learned something else.

Thanks again

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Fuel mixture

What I want to do is whats best for the engine, I was only running such a rich mixture because when I got the motor all the forums I was reading said that was alright. When I got the manuals from the PO it said to run the 6oz/1gal. I'm new to these old outboards as of last year, if I was just going to do as I wanted to do then I wouldn't have asked the question, that what these forums are here for, so people can learn not to get smart *** replies.

Thanks

Good luck getting replies, from the first two veterans, in the future, new guy.

 

[vwfan79]

Re: Fuel mixture

I'm ok with that, I use forums all the time and none of them give replies like that when a NEW GUY asks a question. Sorry not everyone can be a veteran, everyone has to start somewhere. As mentioned before that is what forums are for, for the NEW GUY to get help from the VETERANS.

But thanks for the reply

 

[JB]

Re: Fuel mixture

You are welcome, vwfan. I would be interested to learn what was not helpful about my reply.

 

[vwfan79]

Re: Fuel mixture

Your choice. You can either do as you are supposed to do, or you can do whatever you want to do.

That was the reply I didn't like, JB- your reply was fine and helpful, R_F's wasn't. All I was trying to do was find out if the info I got last year was correct, which was that you can run 40:1 in these old motors with out a problem. I just got the manual and was rechecking my info, I would just like to continue to enjoy this old motor and boat while I restore her as much as I can without ruining the origanal equipment.

I'm just here to learn and share with others what has worked for me if someone is having the same problem.

 

[GreenHornet763]

Re: Fuel mixture

your motor, do as you wish but I would stick to what the manuals says

 

[vwfan79]

Re: Fuel mixture

That's the plan, tank is empty and I have a fresh can of 24:1 gas mixed waiting to put in it.
I have learned my lesson, if the manual says 24:1 and people post 40:1 is ok I'm going with 24:1.
Just didn't have the manual till this weekend so I had to go with the info I could find.

 

[F_R]

Re: Fuel mixture

That same basic motor just a couple of years later was factory specified at 100:1 !!!!

You already knew what the factory told you to run yours at, and you come on here looking for somebody to say it is ok to cheat on the oil. Well, ok if you want to hear that, I'll say it. But if your motor tears up, you will be quick to blame me for telling you it was ok to cheat on the oil.....no matter what actually caused the motor to tear up. I guess you noticed it is over 50 years old.

Let me re-phrase my answer. It was specified to run on 24:1, but you might get away with 40:1, or 50:1 or whatever. It is your choice. But don't come hollering at me if it goes south. Personally, if I had one (and I don't), I'd probably run 50:1. But that would be my choice...in other words, "whatever I want to do".

Having said all that, I'm outta here for awhile. With over 15,000 bits of free advice and knowledge that I used to get paid for, it's time to retire....again.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Fuel mixture

Having said all that, I'm outta here for awhile. With over 15,000 bits of free advice and knowledge that I used to get paid for, it's time to retire....again.

But F_R, who will tell us all the secret stuff that only you seem to know? I will miss you!

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: Fuel mixture

Good luck getting replies, from the first two veterans, in the future, new guy.

thats a blatten threat of isolation! and looks to be a violation of the terms of use.

Your statement was truly uncalled for and unsolicited fishfood and you should aplogize IMHO,
you know I used to like this place and I have spent a ton of money with Iboats and I know I have help a few Eska guys here but I think I will take my toys and go home too... I bet the "New guy" never buys a thing from Iboats, I'm guessing Bruno wouldn't like it either I thought we were supposed to be nice to the "New guys"

 

[JB]

Re: Fuel mixture

Well, it was neither F_R nor JB who made that stupid remark, crabby, and each have replied further.

Bad temper and harsh words are not uncommon here, but we try to respect folks thoughts. Helpers can get edgy (like above) when they get repeated questions year after year. We sometimes react as though the poster has been posting the same question all along and not reading anyone's helpful responses.

We, and posters, also sometimes read attitudes into questions and replies that were not intended.

Let us all please chill a bit. vwfan got good advice, though not in a tone he liked, and others butted in to scold imagined offenses.

If you don't like a post or response here, ask the poster to explain or report the post. Chastising the poster is likely to start a fight and get you suspended.

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Fuel mixture

I have only dabbled in helping new guys with simple stuff I'm absolutely sure of, and I really don't see how the long term really experienced guys do it. Part of the reason I try to do something, is to spare the real pros the nuisance of having to explain YET AGAIN that a newbie is jacking a thread, or that the model number would be useful. I think I'd burn out.

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Fuel mixture

Spent the last few months wondering why F_R was no where to be found. Was worried something might have happened to him only to see this thread. F_R not only helped me immensely a few years ago with my motor on this forum, but he was also gracious enough to help me over the phone. I think in my opinion what irritates some people is that they go through the effort of getting a manual for their motor, read it, see the answer to their question, only to repost the question on here. It wasn't like a technical question that might be hard to understand by reading a manual or looking at the pictures. 24:1 is not hard to understand. It's not 50:1, 40:1 or 32:1 its 24:1. Pretty simple. I would also respond with a "do what you want to do" to this scenario. I for one, am NOT ok newbies **** of veterans, especially when they give out FREE advice on motors. I'll post a response now and then giving my thoughts on a problem, but it is based on my own experience dealing with my motor. F_R has experience in many motors since he was an EVINRUDE PAID MECHANIC. So, in other words, don't be surprised if you get a piece of advice down the road that in all actuality is 100% incorrect advice.