35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

[strtbobber]

I have a 1967 Chrysler 35HP. Needs a head. Put a good lower unit on it off a 45HP that I got for next to nothing. I understand it's very hard to get parts for old Chryslers. Can anybody describe exactly HOW difficult it is to get parts? I got carb and fuel pump rebuild kits from iboats, no problem.

My concern is this; that I break down on the lake and it takes a few months to track down parts that I need to fix it. I live where we only have about 6 months of boating, so that would really suck.

I'm trying to decide whether I should get this thing going, or just buy a different motor.

Anybody got any sound/experienced advice?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

There hundreds of JUNK yards for boats out there. valleysales@charter.net
Valley989) 366-8178 Sales This one is in Prudenville,Michigan.It works better if U call.Look on line.J

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

There hundreds of JUNK yards for boats out there. valleysales@charter.net
Valley989) 366-8178 Sales This one is in Prudenville,Michigan.It works better if U call.Look on line.J

Thanks Jerry, are you saying this motor is worth repairing and keeping?

 

[ljc1957]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

Strtbobber, I've got a 1966, 50hp Chrysler outboard. I've had it 3 years now and I couldn't be happier with it. I believe these motors were built in an era when durability and quality really mattered. I haven't had one issue with it. It's also amazing how simple it is and how easy it is to work on and maintain. I found a 67, 45hp outboard that I use for parts. All the auxillary parts are identical, so I have 2 of everything. The lower units are the same. The heads are not the same and if that 45hp will work on your 35, you're welcome to it. It turns over freely and I believe it's fine. I haven't disassembled it. Some of the more experienced guys on this forum might know if it's the same. I'm the cheapest guy alive, so if I can keep an old motor running like new, while not having to pay the outrageous prices on new stuff, I'm happy.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

Hang onto it! Most 2 cycle outboards die from lack of oil and over heating caused by old impellers. Keep up with your maintenance and don't forget that 50:1 oil and you should be fine for a long time. Keep your eyes on craigslist for a cheap old outboard you can fix up and have as a back up!

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

Strtbobber, I've got a 1966, 50hp Chrysler outboard. I've had it 3 years now and I couldn't be happier with it. I believe these motors were built in an era when durability and quality really mattered. I haven't had one issue with it. It's also amazing how simple it is and how easy it is to work on and maintain. I found a 67, 45hp outboard that I use for parts. All the auxillary parts are identical, so I have 2 of everything. The lower units are the same. The heads are not the same and if that 45hp will work on your 35, you're welcome to it. It turns over freely and I believe it's fine. I haven't disassembled it. Some of the more experienced guys on this forum might know if it's the same. I'm the cheapest guy alive, so if I can keep an old motor running like new, while not having to pay the outrageous prices on new stuff, I'm happy.

Thanks for that, ljc. Funny thing is that, after I got the 35 with the boat, I bought a 45 with a blown piston but a good bottom end, which is what I needed for my 35. Now that you say you have a 45 that seems ok, you've got me thinking. Maybe I should grab that 45 from you. Have you done a compression test? Have you ever had it running?
As far as the "quality mattered" comment, I have to agree, and that's why I'm inclined to keeping this old motor.

Thanks again.

 

[ljc1957]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

Str., I saw the engine for sale on Craigslist. The owner said it hadn't been run in years but it did turn over. I met with him and bought it for parts. I didn't do a compression check on it but, from what I can see, it seems ok. It was used in salt water, so there was some corrosion in the water jackets. Many of the bolts/screws were frozen in place and it was a real pain removing them. I live in Bellingham, Wa. and the model # is: 45771.

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

Str., I saw the engine for sale on Craigslist. The owner said it hadn't been run in years but it did turn over. I met with him and bought it for parts. I didn't do a compression check on it but, from what I can see, it seems ok. It was used in salt water, so there was some corrosion in the water jackets. Many of the bolts/screws were frozen in place and it was a real pain removing them. I live in Bellingham, Wa. and the model # is: 45771.

Thanks, I'll see how I make out with finding a head for my 35. I'll keep that 45 in mind! I imagine shipping would be a killer.

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

Well, I did a compression test on my 35 Chrysler this weekend. 112lbs in the top, 115lbs in the bottom. Good news!!!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

While the bore and stroke were different, almost everything else on the 35, 45, and 55 were the same. The basic blocks were the same so you COULD for example put a 55 crankshaft into a 35. It won't give higher horsepower because the porting is different but it will fit. You can use any carb but again, the 35 will not produce more horsepower. You can mix and match parts from any engine and even swap complete powerheads since the lower units were the same. Only the props were different pitch for each horsepower range. SO: parts are relativly easy to find if you look hard enough. The only caution is that Chrysler also made a small block 35 which was different than the 35, 45, 50, 55 and parts will not interchange on that one. It, however is the same block and lower as the 20 and 25.

AND----Since all these engines were kept substantially the same for many years, right up until Force started making them, if you know what you are doing, you can swap in many model year parts, even swap in many Force parts.

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

While the bore and stroke were different, almost everything else on the 35, 45, and 55 were the same. The basic blocks were the same so you COULD for example put a 55 crankshaft into a 35. It won't give higher horsepower because the porting is different but it will fit. You can use any carb but again, the 35 will not produce more horsepower. You can mix and match parts from any engine and even swap complete powerheads since the lower units were the same. Only the props were different pitch for each horsepower range. SO: parts are relativly easy to find if you look hard enough. The only caution is that Chrysler also made a small block 35 which was different than the 35, 45, 50, 55 and parts will not interchange on that one. It, however is the same block and lower as the 20 and 25.

AND----Since all these engines were kept substantially the same for many years, right up until Force started making them, if you know what you are doing, you can swap in many model year parts, even swap in many Force parts.

Thanks Frank! Since you're a Chrysler guy, maybe you could answer another question. I have a head off the 45 that I took the lower off of to use on my 35. The heads are identical except for the depth of where the pistons come to the top of their stroke. (Sorry, I'm not sure how to describe it better, I hope you know what I mean.) My question is, what would happen if I was to put that head on there as is? Or should I get the head shaved down to make it the same as the 35 head?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

You would lose a little compression and a little horsepower, but you might not even notice it while running. The difference in horsepower is due to a number of factors: Compression ratio, port timing, displacement (cu inch), RPM, and carburetor. (the 55 also has an exhaust spacer plate to give more volume inside the exhaust chest for less backpressure) No one factor will influence horsepower too much but the combination or all of them will.

Lower compression will give a little extra protection against detonation and pre-ignition. And if it is a recoil start engine, it will be easier to pull over, so it's not all bad.

SO: If you are a perfectionist, you could have the head milled, but why spend the money?

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

You would lose a little compression and a little horsepower, but you might not even notice it while running. The difference in horsepower is due to a number of factors: Compression ratio, port timing, displacement (cu inch), RPM, and carburetor. (the 55 also has an exhaust spacer plate to give more volume inside the exhaust chest for less backpressure) No one factor will influence horsepower too much but the combination or all of them will.

Lower compression will give a little extra protection against detonation and pre-ignition. And if it is a recoil start engine, it will be easier to pull over, so it's not all bad.

SO: If you are a perfectionist, you could have the head milled, but why spend the money?

Thanks, Frank. It's not that I'm a perfectionist, but why not make it proper fitting. I dunno.......I guess I'll have to check into the cost of milling it and decide from there. I appreciate your quality input.

 

[PS94]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

What do you guys do about other parts? I'm currently scouring iBoats and the rest of the web for a lower leg sealing kit for a 66 35HP...with no luck....

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

Do you have a 2 part lower leg?

If you are looking for the gasket for the 2 part. There are a few out there when I was looking for mine. Those who had them wanted way too much money for them.
If you are handy with a razor and a small ball peen hammer, you can make you own. Run down to Carquest or Napa and ask for some gasket material. They sell it in packs, just make sure they have the gaskets that are suitable for under water and gas/oil.
I bought this pack for 4 bucks at carquest. Tapped it out and it's been good since last spring. Plus in the packs I made all the other gaskets I needed. Carb, fuel bowl and fuel pump bowl.
If you dont know how to make the gaskets,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rx5hGKt1PY
watch that video.. Obviously you wouldn't use a paper bag, you would use the gasket material.

 

[PS94]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

It does have the 2pc lower, but I'm not overly concerned with the gasket, its the seals, and shifter seal I'm most concerned with..I'm going to try and match some up at the local bearing/seal shop tomorrow...

 

[fucawi]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

If the seals are just worn rather than ripped then try some of the transmission seal for cars..it expands the seals 4 % and tightens them up ...you could put 25cc in the lower unit with the new oil ..I had a hard 20mm seal ..soaked it 14 days .it closed to 18mm and was as soft as sh-eye-t...went over the 20mm shaft beautiful and its supper slippy. always put some on my minn Kota behind the prop to keep the seal supple....good for hard impellers too when you buy make sure you get the right stuff that does the expanding trick .......

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

All the rubber seals can be bought at Iboats. Thats where I got mine, then made my own gaskets.

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

What do you guys do about other parts? I'm currently scouring iBoats and the rest of the web for a lower leg sealing kit for a 66 35HP...with no luck....

I bought all my seals and gaskets from Franz Marine.............he's basically got anything and everything you need for an old Chrysler. Each time I email him, he replies within a few short hours. He's great to deal with!!! Good luck!!

 

[strtbobber]

Re: 35HP Chrysler...To keep or not to keep?

I bought all my seals and gaskets from Franz Marine.............he's basically got anything and everything you need for an old Chrysler. Each time I email him, he replies within a few short hours. He's great to deal with!!! Good luck!!

Here's a link.............http://www.franzmarine.com/ ......hope it helps!!