adding a tell-tale to older Force

[Squeakit]

My 1989 Force 50 has a plugged hole in the cylinder head just above the thermostat which I learned from another discussion on this board is for a water pressure gauge. If I put a fitting in and ran a small line out through the lower cowl for a "pee hole" type tell tale, would it drop the water pressure enough to be dangerous to engine cooling?

 

[Bry21317]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

Does this engine not have a Tell Tale currently? I'm pretty positive that it should. It should come out of the exhaust in the back middle of the engine if I am correct.<br /><br />I have an 88 Force 125 and this is what it does.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bryan Cox

 

[Squeakit]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

Thanks for the reply Bryan. Yes it does have the 2 holes in the back, but a stream coming out the side would be easier to see than crawling in back and checking to see if water is spritzing out the two holes. Just an easier way to monitor the water pump operation but I won't try it if it could cause problems.

 

[Bry21317]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

Ok,<br />I see what you mean now. I have the same problem, I just lean over the side of the boat to look. <br /><br />I have no clue if your idea would work or not, but now I understand.<br /><br />Would be interesting to find out.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bryan Cox

 

[12Footer]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

That plug is for a pressure gauge, but I have no clue why, or what they were thinking. The Force50HP might be able to generate 6lbs of pressure. They also made a temp sender that fits into that hole, but by the time it would read over-temp, it would most likely be too late (unless you just happened to be watching it when it climbed up).<br />But it can ruin the flow if this is just 'opened-up', because the block needs that tiny bit of pressure to circulate right.<br />But your idea is intriquing! Maybee you could fit it with a hose, and come out of the top,with a 'jet' of some sort,so that it allways has a few pounds of PSI behind it. I might try this on mine too!<br />Look at the way Merc has thier telltales terminated...they use a fitting that narrows the stream down to about 1/16" (they allways plug-up there). But that would keep pressure in the head,and at the same time, give you a tiny telltale...Hmmm... Tellya what. Let me get back to you Saturday night. I'm gonna make one using a brass pressure washer jet,and some fuel hose, and see if my temp gauge changes (it will be the only time I've ever actually looked at it LOL.<br />It should only take me 10-15minutes this afternoonto rig it up, as I have a good tap-n-die set and hose clamp collection

 

[Dan K]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

I own a 1994 120 Force. I did install a pisser for a better indication of water pump operation. removed the plastic plug above the thermostat housing, added a 1/8 pipe thread elbow with about an 1/8 inch outlet. I connected a 7/32 hose and ran it to a pisser from a 20 horse merc. I'm not sure about water pressure specs, but it's a good feeling to see water coming out of the indicator at speed. The two large holes in the rear of the engine are idle relief ports. On my 120, they pump water out at idle but it stops under load and I assume water is redirected out at the prop.That's why I added the indicator and have had no problems.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

Thanks for the interest guys; I will await 12 footers research before I do anything, but it sounds like a good idea and I'm glad to see someone has done it before. I'm still kinda new at this outboard stuff, but I love to tinker with engines and I am always looking for ways to improve things (sometimes to my regret) I can't always be sure my water pump is working just by the atomizing out of the 2 holes and it's hard to see it when your prop is churning up the water. I guess that's why later models added the pee-hole type. I just don't want to f--k up my engine now, because it's finally really running well. Please keep the opinions coming - I really appreciate them!!

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

Yes you can use this to make a pi$$er if you want, I would go to you local dealer and order an a reducer that would work, they may have some in stock. Better yet for about $35 why not add a water pressure gauge at the console. I have one using a 15psi gauge for my 65hp merc (1967) idle pressure is just over 4psi and wot pressure is about 10psi. Its alot safer than having to look back at your motor and the gauge will also tell you first if you have restricted your water intake (plastic bag covering intake on lower unit). This happened to me just after I installed mine and probably saved my motor ast I was in a narrow river and could not look back. You will not regret having one.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: adding a tell-tale to older Force

Thanks Rick for the reply. I installed my new pizzer today - used a little brass 1/8" right angle fitting coming out of the head with some 1'4"OD polyethylene tubing leading to a little brass fitting that I mounted in the right rear of the lower cowling and put a cap with a small hole drilled in it for the water to exit. I eyeballed a Merc 90 yesterday and the whole setup looks real simple - didn't realize the exit hole was so small on these things (guess that's why they plug up from time to time) but I guess it has to be small to avoid dropping the pressure to the engine. I'll be trying it out next week. Only problem is it will be pizzing onto to swim platform of my little Bayliner and maybe splattering all over the place ????? But it will be real easy to see from the drivers seat. What are idle relief ports - I noticed the Merc had them and they spritzed water like my Force does. Stil learning, and very grateful for this website and all the knowledge contained here.