Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

[TAC_Double]

Is it possible to add one to this engine without drill and tapping into the water jacket?

 

[iwombat]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

You've got to tap into the water jacket if you want to get to the water. It's a pretty easy job. I did it on my '77 85hp in about 15 minutes.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

put a gob of grease on the bit to collect the metal shavings, so they don't go inside.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

Had a '75 70 Rude 3 cyl. Tapped the water jacket with a 1/8 pipe thread (could use 1/4" but get lots more threads in the water jacket cover for reliability) and installed a rt angle hose barb. Drilled a hole in lower cowl on Starboard side....Piece of cake. That was before audible OT alarms. Felt good to know you had water.

Mark

 

[TAC_Double]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

Any chance someone could post a picture of a good spot to drill in at? I am sure I can handle.. as long as I am aware of where I am doing at.

 

[baxtr]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

What type of tubing have any of you used? Plastic? copper? etc.....

 

[gejandsons]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

A rubber hose resembling a vacuum line on an auto is on my '89 110 HP. Plastic tubing for Ice maker would be readily available & would work well. I'll post a pic tomorrow of the place mine is tapped if your interested.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

You can look up the parts for later model tell-tales and use those. There's a plastic elbow that goes into the block and a disk with a hole to mount up to your cowling. You really ought to use the OEM parts since they're not oversized to detract from the cooling your system needs to be doing.

I drilled right into the top of the #1 cylinder water jacket right under the coil brackets. It's not so easy to see in the picture, but you get the idea.

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

check out this thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=190821&highlight=adding+pee+hole

there is some very good info there.

 

[F_R]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

The spot indicated in the picture in the link is where they got hot water for the choke in bygone years, so it is intentional for it to be a water access port. Just be careful that you drill through the first layer only. There will then be about 1/4" air space. If you keep going beyond the air space you will drill through the cylinder wall and it's all over.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

Or you could always do it the way they started with in the V4 Engines and go in the exhaust cover. Just run the hose to the top of the engine and back down to the indicator to keep air out of the system. I've attached a picture of a 1978 stock exhaust cover.

Then you need a 1/8 inch i.d. threaded nipple, OMC/BRP part #321886, some hose and the Overboard Indicator Nipple OMC/BRP part #321885 that goes through the floor of the lower cowl.

You need a drill, a tap, some gasket sealer and a new exhaust gasket.​

 

[baxtr]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

A rubber hose resembling a vacuum line on an auto is on my '89 110 HP. Plastic tubing for Ice maker would be readily available & would work well. I'll post a pic tomorrow of the place mine is tapped if your interested.

ice maker tubing was exactly wat I was thinking of, just wasn't sure what everyone else was using, and if it was affected by the heat.

 

[TAC_Double]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

Ezeke,

On my 1975 85 Hp, I have a very similar area on my cover... I am I safe going in there? Looks just like what you are showing.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

When I entered the earlier thread it was because I had done the retrofit to my 1976 115 from the top starboard side and liked the results.

The area at the side of the starboard #1 cylinder is still my choice because you can do it without any new gaskets, and because it is high up on the engine and thus reduces the risk of air in the cooling circuit. Total cost in parts is less than $15.00 if you don't remove the cylinder head.

That being said, the exhaust cover entry is slightly safer to do as a retrofit. I suggest it because there was so much flack on the other method, and because salvage yards have the exhaust covers, so you don't even need to tap.

If you want to work carefully and have the better of the two, use the one that enters from the top. Either entry uses the same OMC/BRP parts and part numbers, except for the gaskets.

If you are willing to take all of the bolts out of the exhaust cover and hope that none are bad, take the safer approach.​

 

[HammerDown6]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

Hello all, first post. Glad I found this site.
I also need to add a tell tale to my 1973 85hp. My exhaust cover is identical to the one in the picture. Does the cover have to be removed in order to drill & tap, or can I just punch though as it sits? Also, how precisely does the new hole need to be located in the cover? Seems as if the new outlet is able to see the water passage at all, you'd be okay (?)
Thanks

 

[Indymike]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

Here is a pic of tell tale added to a 73 115.

tell tale

 

[iwombat]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

I went in on top of #1, per Dhadley's suggestion, to provide an air relief for the right bank and let it cool better. I also didn't have that little boss cast into my block. Whatever you do, just locate it as high as possible.

 

[Jimmy Jam]

Re: Possible to add a tell tale? 1975 - 85hp

Here is a pic of tell tale added to a 73 115.

tell tale

Why do you have 2 hoses coming off the fitting? One go to a water pressure gauge?