Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

[asdasc]

This may seem like a dumb question, but is there any reason I wouldn't want to test run an air cooled outboard motor in my garage without any water?

I got two recently from an uncle who passed. I am assuming he got the second one because the first didn't run right, but they are both old and from the same year. So, I figure the best way to check them out would be to test start them. I do have the spark tester and will try that first after putting some deep creep in the cyl for lubrication. I have read the FAQ on awakening and have drained and filled the lower units, both were good.

Thanks for the help!

 

[kandil]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

It is ok to run it, I would open the garage door and would not rev it high

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

Thanks for the response. Good point, I shouldn't have said 'in my garage'. I was simply meaning not in a bucket of water! No sense in killing myself over an outboard. That would defeat the purpose of finding out which one runs best....

I would simply run it at idle to see if they will start, etc.

I have been using a trolling motor on a 12' aluminum boat to get the 400' out to our island cottage over the winter, but with a light, air cooled outboard I would be able to do the same thing without worry of it draining properly between uses.

Besides, hauling the battery for the trolling motor is heavier than these two motors!

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

Some have water cooled exhausts.

I have an old Volvo Penta 5hp that is air cooled, but with a water cooled exhaust. Often run it dry but I have been told that if the similar 3.9HP VP/ Archimedes /Crescent is run dry the rubber bushes in the mounting over heat and burn.

Caution therefore advisable and running restricted to the minimum necessary.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

What type of outboard?

I had an old Ted Williams / Sears that was air cooled with a water cooled exhaust. While I did fire this one up (out of gear) to see if it was running before a trip, I would always put it in water when working on it. It you shift this type into gear while running, and out of water, the impeller could (will) be damaged. Running an impeller dry is a bad thing.

If the outboard is 100% air cooled, no impeller, go for it. Just watch the exhaust pipe as it will be HOT

 

[F_R]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

This may seem like a dumb question, but is there any reason I wouldn't want to test run an air cooled outboard motor in my garage without any water?

I got two recently from an uncle who passed. I am assuming he got the second one because the first didn't run right, but they are both old and from the same year. So, I figure the best way to check them out would be to test start them. I do have the spark tester and will try that first after putting some deep creep in the cyl for lubrication. I have read the FAQ on awakening and have drained and filled the lower units, both were good.

Thanks for the help!

Without knowing what motor we are talking about, it is impossible to give a direct answer. A bunch of generic answers have already been given, but let me say that MOST old air cooled outboards were made by Eska or Clinton under a host of brand names. And MOST of them have water pumps. Running one with a water pump out of the water will destroy the pump just as it would in a water cooled one. Except for a few, the water pump runs anytime the motor runs, in gear or out.

Air cooled motors with water pumps WILL overheat if the pump isn't working.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

Hmmm, I will have to look at it further. It doesn't look like there is any water intakes at all or any impeller.

I need to figure out what they are. The shrouds are both gone.

I will spend some time on the internet looking things up. I hope coils and carb kits are available. They both have good compression, but if my new spark tester is working, neither have spark.

1) Sears Model 217/58585-0
2) Clinton Model K3003106 B
type XTV 52203

So it looks like I should go to the 'other brands' forum, wait, it looks like someone already took care of that for me~! Thanks!

They are both sub 5HP, I think.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

OK, I was able to find more info on them.

The Sears is a 1977 Eska 7.5HP with a Tecumseh Powerhead.
The Clinton is a 1974 or 75 3HP

Based on that, I am going to focus on the 7.5HP. I will pull the recoil and see if there is any type of an inspection plate

 

[steelespike]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

First do a compression check.It will give you some idea of the condition.
Clinton has been out of production for some years.Eska since the 80s Tecumseh is still around.You have nothing invested,thats a plus.
Tinker all you want If you like to tinker they will supply plenty of it.
They are both marginal performers,vibrate,noisy,finicky,parts are a pain and can be expensive.In that condition they are excellent prospects to part out
on ebay or craigs list.Put the money toward the omc 5,5.5,6,7.5,or 8 hp
motors from the early 50s to the 80s.Routine parts readily available right here at iboats,smooth,relatively quiet,easy to work on,RELIABLE,all will out perform yours and they have a good resale.

 

[F_R]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

OK, I was able to find more info on them.

The Sears is a 1977 Eska 7.5HP with a Tecumseh Powerhead.
The Clinton is a 1974 or 75 3HP

Based on that, I am going to focus on the 7.5HP. I will pull the recoil and see if there is any type of an inspection plate

I'm not too familiar with the 7.5hp Eska models, but I'd be willing to bet money that it has a water pump. Most Clintons have a water pump. The ones that don't have a pump have a ram tube coming out of the underwater exhaust outlet and curving forward toward the propeller. The prop rams water up the tube and it spills out at the upper end to cool the exhaust.

That Sears/Eska might have electronic ignition. There is no repair--only replace. Obsolete and very expensive if you do find one.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

Thanks guys. The Sears Eska looks like it has a coil under the flywheel. I don't have the right puller for it. I am used to working on my 18HP Johnson and have that flywheel puller. The flywheel on the Sears Eska has the three holes in the top, but they aren't threaded. So I am assuming I need a puller that has the 3 hooks that grab under the edges. It actually looks from what I can see to be very similar to the coil on my 18hp johnson.

I checked the compresson on it and it was good, about 75 or 80 pounds.

Someone said on here that old outboards follow you home like cats. That is true. I have 10 now between my dad and I. A couple Martins, a handful of Johnson/Evinrude, a few SeaKings and now these two. 3 are way too big for what I am in need of today, and a few are too small. Maybe I will divert and focus on one of the older Johnsons... That A-50 looks pretty complete.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

By the way, i forgot to mention that key parts for both are still available thru searspartsdirect.com!

They also have exploded views of all the key systems there as well.

 

[F_R]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

DO NOT use a puller that grabs the rim!! That will wreck the flywheel. Either tap the holes or use the Techumseh "knocker" puller. Or make you own knocker. I can post how to do it if you want.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

Thanks FR! Yes, please, show me the right way to do it.

Thanks again,

 

[F_R]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

Some people will tell you to screw the nut on the shaft and whack it with hammer. That will get the flywheel off, but it also will batter the threads on the shaft.

Tecumseh sells a tool to do the job without damage, but make your own from a couple of nuts and a short bolt.

Buy a couple of nuts the same thread size as the shaft, and a bolt...the shorter the better. Thread one nut up on the bolt, then put the second one on only about two turns. Then run the first one down against the second one and jam them together. You have now made a special tool.

To use, thread the knocker onto the shaft hand tight. Now pry gently upward on the flywheel with a screwdriver and give the knocker a rap or two or three with a hammer. Put the sledgehammer away, a 12 oz hammer is ideal. It is the shock that gets it off, not the bash. And before somebody yells at us, note I said pry gently...not use a crowbar. All you need is to lift the flywheel against it's own weight. In reality, you are driving the shaft out of the flywheel. And don't heat it either.

This works on all small engines like lawn mowers and chainsaws too.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

Excellent!

Thank you kind sir.

One more question. I went to drain the lower unit lube and there is a fill hole and a vent screw, but they are both on the same level. I wouldn't think I need to pull the gear housing apart to drain it.

Oh wait, is it so simple as to just lay it on its side?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

I'll add something to F_R's suggestion:

I used a deep lugnut that had the same thread as the crank and put a bolt into that, bolt into 1/2 of the lugnut and crank in the other 1/2.

I'm not 100% sure of your Eska, but mine (74-73?) had a clutch under the engine that drove the waterpump and gearbox. When it was out of gear the waterpump wasn't turning. Take good care of that clutch as it is no longer available.

I wouldn't dump a whole lot or time and money into the Eska as they are hard to find parts for and some of them obsolete, Ebay is going to be your friend with that outboard.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

I am looking at the exploded view drawings and don't see a clutch. I haven't been able to pull the flywheel yet. I was surprised how big that center nut was. I will have to go buy a bolt that size tomorrow.

It also looks like there isn't anything under there but points, condensor and a coil so it should be simple enough to get running.

sears parts direct exploded view

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

I am looking at the exploded view drawings and don't see a clutch.

#12

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getSubComp.pd?modelNumber=217585850&productCategoryId=1305320&brandId=0247&modelName=SEARS-7.5-H.P.-GAMESFISHER-OUTBOARD-MOTOR&diagramPageId=00001&componentDescription=POWER%20HEAD%20ASSEMBLY&documentId=00001035&backToLink=Return%20to%20Sub%20Components%20list

Heres your best source for parts;

http://www.certifiedpartscorp.com/

 

[asdasc]

Re: Can I test run an air cooled outboard?

oh THAT clutch!

Thanks, I was looking at the wrong page for it. I will be careful with that one.

The website you sent me to for parts didn't seem to show much, but I will call them. Funny, they are about a mile up the road from a place I travel to on business about 2-3 times a year! My customer is over on Racine by I-90.

The parts I will really need most likely will be the impeller, coil, points, condensor and carb kit.