Can I add a telltale to the Force?

[Mark42]

Seeing as I don't have a water pressure gauge, I would like to add a telltale like my Evinrude has. Thought that drilling and tapping into the exhaust housing cover would work.

Anyone done this?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Mark, there should be a 1/4" pipe plug in the top of the head, just ahead of the thermostat. Part 20 in the link below.

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/images/FORCE/809729/9.gif

Remove the plug, install brass fitting with hose barb, add 4 feet of tubing, route to exit point, drill hole for tubing. Presto, done for $7.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Thanks Roscoe! Just the info I needed!

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Good idea! I think I'll do that to mine too!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Or, you can spend the $50 and get a water pressure gauge, hooks up to the same plug/hole.

 

[baxtr]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

I just did mine 2 weeks ago cheap brass fitting and some tubing, works great, I wanted to do a 90 right off the hole, but this works

I dropped it through the housing and drilled the hole at a bit of an angle so while I am driving I can look back and see it.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Baxtr, that is a nice clean job you did!

I went to remove the plug (mine takes a blade screwdriver) and snapped off the end of a large blade driver!

The plug looks to be stainless. Going to try an impact driver next, but thought I would ask here how you folks got the plug out without breaking the plug or cracking the head!

Thanks!

Mark

 

[baxtr]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

mine was just a square head plug, came right out with a wrench, sorry

 

[mrix]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

wow this is cool, this is a todo on my list.

this will let you know if your thermostat is working also or is the t-stat on the exit? how do you tell if your t-stat is working?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

mine was just a square head plug, came right out with a wrench, sorry

Well, the ol' impact driver got it loose. Woo Hoo! It's a stainless slot head plug. Who knows if it was original or something a shop installed.

I found a left over hose barb from the water pressure gauge kit for the Johnson. Its 1/4 NPT, with what looks to be 3/16" barb on it. Maybe I'll pick up the same with 1/4" barb and use 1/4 fuel line.

What size hose barb/hose did you guys use?

 

[baxtr]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

What size hose barb/hose did you guys use?

Great to hear, I used 3/16. works great.

 

[baxtr]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

tell tale runs water right away, so I don't believe it is affected by the t-stat

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

To test the thermostat, remove it, place it in a pan of hot water with a thermometer.
Heat it on the stove and watch to see if it opens at the correct temp.

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

It's a stainless slot head plug. Who knows if it was original or something a shop installed.

Mine has the same slotted head plug.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Mine has the same slotted head plug.

That can mean only one thing.... Our motors were serviced by the same guy.

 

[Racer]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Ok I have to ask.

What does the tell tale do? I am guessing it shoots a stream of water when the motor is running? Wouldn't that affect the cooling or is it not enough to have any affect?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Not enough to effect the cooling of the motor.

But it gives you a visual indicator that your water pump is working.

 

[Racer]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

Nice. I might look into that on mine then. Especially since I am getting ready to replace my impeller.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

I picked up a 1/4 hose barb (1/4 npt to 1/4 id hose) at the hardware store ($1.50) and put 1/4" fuel line on it. Drilled a 1/2" hole in the lower housing starboard side and let it stick out an inch or so. Pretty much looks like Baxtr's photo except with black fuel line. Then I took 3" of 1/4" copper tube and bent an L shape and inserted it in the fuel line. That lets me adjust the direction of the telltale from down to back to up. Makes it easier to see when it shoots up and back. Kind of neat too!

 

[baxtr]

Re: Can I add a telltale to the Force?

I like the bent copper idea!