55 hp chrysler outboard questions

[eyemall]

I am kind of new to outboards. I have a chrysler 55 outboard engine. Model number 557hg serial number 5088. I have had the motor in a barrel of water only. I have not had it in a lake or river. It starts and runs fine. I have questions about the lower unit. When I ran it, oil started coming from several diffrent places. One was from the weep holes around the lower unit bolts. Is this normal? Is this as explained elsewhere on the net, only unburnt oil draing from the heads?Second question is oil was coming from under the cavitation plate where the water in take is at. Is this normal or do I have something wrong? I checked the lower unit oil after I ran it but it showed no signs of water in it. That leads to another question I changed the oil in it just before I ran it. When I ran it and checked it it had turned black. Is that okay or is something wrong with it?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 55 hp chrysler outboard questions

Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />There wasn't enough time or load to turn the gearlube black. That would've been from contamination left in the gearcase after draining mixing into the fresh gearlube, probably sludge that settled to the bottom. I'd change it again after running awhile.<br /><br />Chance are good that what you're seeing is residual unburned fuel draining from the cavity drains. But keep an eye on that gearlube. Typically I say that if it's black and your gearlube isn't, it isn't gearlube. But...

 

[eurolarva]

Re: 55 hp chrysler outboard questions

You might want to consider a Mercury High performance gear oil for that motor. Your motor was built somewhere between 1974-1976. Chrysler never did come up with a good recircuilation system to handle condensed fuel. The best way to tell if it is unburned fuel is to put some on your finger and take a whiff. If it smells like gas it is unburned fuel mix. If it is lower unit oil it will smell like that. Typically however if water were to get into the gear housing it would turn white like a milk shake. Black usually means it has been in there way too long or never changed.<br /><br />Chrysler crew has a web site that has downloadable parts and service manuals which I highly recommend. The service manual will walk you through the recircilation system to help minimize the unburned gas thing. It is also embarrasing when you are dropping a stream of gas behind you on the lake. A decarb may help as well.

 

[eyemall]

Re: 55 hp chrysler outboard questions

Originally posted by eurolarva:<br /> You might want to consider a Mercury High performance gear oil for that motor. Your motor was built somewhere between 1974-1976. Chrysler never did come up with a good recircuilation system to handle condensed fuel. The best way to tell if it is unburned fuel is to put some on your finger and take a whiff. If it smells like gas it is unburned fuel mix. If it is lower unit oil it will smell like that. Typically however if water were to get into the gear housing it would turn white like a milk shake. Black usually means it has been in there way too long or never changed.<br /><br />Chrysler crew has a web site that has downloadable parts and service manuals which I highly recommend. The service manual will walk you through the recircilation system to help minimize the unburned gas thing. It is also embarrasing when you are dropping a stream of gas behind you on the lake. A decarb may help as well.

 

[Brooksboy]

Re: 55 hp chrysler outboard questions

I have a 1958 55hp and have trouble getting into foward or reverce. Can anyone help

 

[eurolarva]

Re: 55 hp chrysler outboard questions

Hello brooksboy and welcome to iboats. I would suggest you start your own thread. It will get better response. Chrysler started outboards around 1966. Does your motor say west bend or do you have other information on it. A model number on chryslers is normally located below the carburator stamped on a little metal plate. Yours should read a number like 55487 or maybe 557HA. As soon as we know what kind of motor you have someone can help.