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  1. 1973Chieftain

    1978 Johnson 140 water leak question

    I'm looking at buying a 1978 Johnson 140hp and the seller says there is a small water leak pictured below.ive never seen water leak from that area before, any ideas what could cause it? Supposedly the lower gear oil is fine with no water in it. Should I be concerned or avoid this engine because...
  2. 1973Chieftain

    New CC, take 2

    Alright, this time I went with a Starcraft! '72 18' Mariner whose former port was Fairbanks, IA. Hull is solid with no dings or scrapes to speak of, the deck and carpet look newer and solid, but I'll do a closer inspection at home. After driving 650 miles to look at it I glanced over it and paid...
  3. 1973Chieftain

    '95 Johnson 110HP with repaired blown cylinder question

    Good evening gents! I'm going to look at a boat Monday that has a 1995 Johnson 110HP VRO and engine on it. The seller claims to be a mechanic, and that he rebuild a cylinder due to it having a hole blown in the top of it. He claims excellent compression and great running order. Any suggestions...
  4. 1973Chieftain

    Gas tank question

    I have two gas tank questions.. probably silly questions, but I'll ask as I have never tried and some of y'all might have. First, can a portable plastic tank such as those made by Moeller be used on their side? I'm looking at one of their 12 gallon ones for sale here on iboats and it would fit...
  5. 1973Chieftain

    My fleet grew by another Tinny.. Mirrocraft center console resto

    I just bough another tin boat, this one being a 18.5' Center console... with three aluminum boats does that make me a Tin Commodore? :D My new one is a bit of a puzzler though as it has no Coast Guard tag, and when I called the manufacturer they said the serial number is not in the proper...
  6. 1973Chieftain

    rebuilt 1978 Mercury 1500 Black Max

    Quick question for you Mercury experts- I'm looking at buying a '78 1500 Black Max with tilt/trim that supposedly was rebuilt last year. Seller states "new piston rings, hoses, wiring, complete rebuild". Its on a donor boat for $1700. My question is should I be concerned with it being rebuilt...
  7. 1973Chieftain

    If you could choose... Which 21' model?

    If you had a choice between all 21' +/- SC models, and you wanted a general family tube/fish/chill on the water which would you choose? P.s. MBS has nothing to do with this. Nope, nothing at all. Neither does Craigslist.....:bounce::bounce:
  8. 1973Chieftain

    New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

    I've got two aluminum boats with outboards, but being a male who loves speed I've been thinking of buying a jetski. i have about $2000 to work with. I've seen many seadoo's on Craigslist for $1000-$2000 for one with a trailer or $2000-$2500 for two.. but they are mid 90's skis. Is that too old...
  9. 1973Chieftain

    Is 34lb thrust enough?

    Im looking to buy a trolling motor to be used primarily as a back should my engine did to get to shore. Mist of the time it would by on my 16' tin boat that weights 585 empty. I found a 34lb on craigslist for $50 that looks newer, vs about $200 for a new 50 lb minn kota. Would 34lb be sufficient...
  10. 1973Chieftain

    18' Aerocraft search...

    As I am restoring my 16' Aerocraft CC barrel back, I've been thinking how AWESOME it would be to have a 18' as well, either the CC-18 or B-18 models. Problem is, these are about as common as a 20 pound diamond- they were only made a couple years invthe mid 50's- very scarce! Im willing to drive...
  11. 1973Chieftain

    Greal Lakes/ ocean boats

    For those of us of who boat on these large bodies of water, what size and model SC are you using? I tried my 15' on Huron this past week and found that it pounded the waves pretty badly if going over about 8-10 mph. Do the bigger tinnies do this as well? Just curious as to how the size effects...
  12. 1973Chieftain

    joining the club...

    This past Sunday I tried my 15' Jet on the big lake with my family, and brought a tube along for my first try at tubing behind my own boat. Everything went along smoothly (perhaps not smoothly, a bit jarring hitting waves in a 15' tin boat) when I went tubing for the last time before heading...
  13. 1973Chieftain

    Back up kicker size

    I have a 15' aluminum boat that im considering taking on Lake Huron sometimes. Obviously only on calm days, and within 2-3 miles of shore. My thought is that id like a back up motor just in case my main conks out... I don't want to have to paddle all the way back in! However, I REALLY don't like...
  14. 1973Chieftain

    17p or 15p for 1996 Force 40 hp

    My '96 Force 40 was running right about 4900 rpms with a 10x17 prop, and although my hole shot was not outstanding, I was getting 31 mph by my gps. This past time out I hit a rock I think which really chewed up my prop, and my only spare was a 11.25x10 that came with the motor. Now unless the...
  15. 1973Chieftain

    1967 Mercury 500 prop question

    I recently bought a '67 Mercury 500 from another member who thought the prop was original... at least he has been using it for about 9 years. I tried ot on my 16' and did not like the proformance so I pulled the prop off. According to its numbers, its a 13x13... I counted 15 splines. Now from...
  16. 1973Chieftain

    How to count splines

    I just bought a '67 Mercury 500 engine, and for that engine all of the prop selling websites list it as a 11 tooth spline. Now I'm a noob to engines, but I pulled the prop off and counted the lands and groves on the shaft and come up with 15 of each. Does this mean its a 15 tooth spline? Or am...
  17. 1973Chieftain

    how thirsty is your motor?

    Out of curiosity, how much gas does your motor use? My 40 hp uses right about 4 gallons/ hr running about pretty much full out and about 3.5 gal/ hr at cruising speeds.... how thirsty is yours?
  18. 1973Chieftain

    Anyone use programers/ tuners on their trucks?

    I had a Diablo Predator on my Chevy diesel which woke that engine up amazingly. Now, I have a Chevy 5.3L gas powered truck.... anyone programs or tune their gas engines with much effect?
  19. 1973Chieftain

    96 Force rpm spike on turns

    I just got my boat in the water last week, and noticed that if I made a very hard turn at WOT the engine would spike 500-600 rpms along with the corresponding off sound. Currently the cavitaion plate is 2" above the keel. I was thinking perhaps the prop was coming out of the water but when I had...
  20. 1973Chieftain

    springtime outboard use

    My outboard is about to come back from the shop after a tune up (new to me engine) and since the highs are in the low60's I was hoping to splash her after the winter refit. Now, being in MI im sure that before spring is over some of th nights will get below freezing- do I need to winterize it...
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