1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

[wagemaker1]

Hello all,
I am working on my Speedifour and I am having problems. I can get it to run for a minute or so in the tank, but the right side (as your looking from the back of the engine) has oil/fuel coming out of the plug holes. I have good spark from both plugs (just put in new coil, points, condenser, and plugs). The engine has good compression. The left side looks good, both plugs warm, not overly wet, and no extra fuel. Could this be a flooding issue from the carburetor? If so, rebuilding it wouldn't be a problem, just not my favorite thing to do. I have both needles set at 2 1/2 turns out, is this a good starting setting? Could it be an issue with the reeds? I ripped the engine apart, and found the reeds to be in good conditions, however I can see a sliver of light between some of them. Should they seal tight? I have this engine so close, but yet issues I am just not sure on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bill

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

1 1/2 turns out is probably closer to a normal starting point. I believe that the reeds should seal. See if you can massage them a bit to get them to seal.

 

[wagemaker1]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

Thanks BonairII, wasn't quite sure on the carbs. Will have to turn them back a bit. I will give the "massage" method a shot.........

 

[yorab]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

Are you saying that oil/fuel is leaking from around the spark plug hole threads? If so, this is bad. You'll never maintain the compression that is necessary for proper operation. In that case, you either need to tighten the plugs a bit more, or else the threads are bad and you'll need to install a thread repair do-dad (many brand names out there). However, you say that you have good compression, so that probably means that the spark plug threads are good and that you simply need to tighten the spark plugs a bit more.

Joe Reeves wrote a comprehensive tutorial for adjusting carb needles. It may be in the "Top Secret" thread at the top of the main page. If not, use the search function to find it.

 

[wagemaker1]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

Thanks yorab. If memory serves.......I think I had to install a thread repair insert in the #1 cylinder, which I believe is the culprit (I have been working on this engine off and on for 3 years now). I just put in new plugs NGK B6S. But I think the threads are a little too short......

I just put in a new needle and seat in the carb., but once again looked at those reeds and not to excited about the sliver of light I am seeing through them....

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

You need to use Champion plugs in this engine! Don't know what number but the manual will have that. These engines were designed to run champion. NGK is a good plug but not for outboards.

 

[yorab]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

I don't have my manuals with me, but I believe that motor needed a Champion J4J plug. And I also believe that it has superseded to Champion J4C. If I'm wrong, somebody will let us know.

 

[wagemaker1]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

Thanks so much! This is the second time in two days that I have heard "don't use NGKs in an outboard". I thought I was doing the right thing by using them, that is what I use in my snowmobiles. But more than not, I'm wrong again. I will be heading to the local boat store in the morning to pick up some Champions.

I did look it up and even checked on Champion's website: J8C is the recommended plug, gaped at .030

 

[wagemaker1]

Re: 1963 75hp speedifour has oil coming out of the plug holes?

I will begin by saying; one again I was wrong. Went to the marine shop this morning, asked for a J8C and ended up discovering that the required plug is a J4C. The shop didn't have any but Auto Zone did and bought all six of them (2 extra).

Put the engine in the tank, runs good, ok......better than it ever did. Smooth, no oil leaks, no exhaust leaks, etc., just a good old engine running like it should. Perhaps tomorrow I will drop it in the lake (attached to a boat of course) and try it out.