Running motor in a tank

[John Lapic]

I have always adjusted my 9.5 Johnson on the boat and in the water. To run it in a tank, is a 55 gallon drum the minimum I should use? What do you typically test outboards in?

 

[iwombat]

Re: Running motor in a tank

First of all, that 9.5 isn't gonna like running in a barrel very much. It's just a particular quirk of that model.

Secondly, you just need a big enough tank to submerge the lower unit. A big rubbermaid tub will work just fine. The bigger the better if you want to try and put a load on it and run it in gear.

I guess the follow on question is: What are you trying to test?

 

[John Lapic]

Re: Running motor in a tank

Actually it is an old 1971 outboard. It has been stored for years and I want to put it in a tank to just see if it runs, and to make some carb adjustments if it does. I don't want to drag it to a lake to do this.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Running motor in a tank

Run it in a barrel/tank/drum. If the exhaust starts to choke it out then try blowing a fan on it.

I run mine on a stand with the lower unit in a metal garbage can like Oscar the Grouch's home. I find the 55 gal drum is actually too deep. Its a waste of water filling it up. However, it does provide more room than a garbage can, which is nice if you are testing lots of different hp motors.

Just make sure the water pump is submerged and the prop doesn't contact the sides.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Running motor in a tank

Yep, 2x4 board clamped off a solid object (porch?) to a sawhorse, with a garbage can plenty if ya can't find a transom. Any high speed in gear work still needs a boat and water though..it will MT a 55 drum REALLY quick, and your gonna get wet..can't do more than idle in gear adjust

 

[iwombat]

Re: Running motor in a tank

One of the plastic 55gal drums turned sideways w/ a hole cut in the side works really well. You can run up those small outboards pretty good w/o spilling all the water. It sort of curls up at the opposite end where the hole isn't.

 

[soonerdg]

Re: Running motor in a tank

I have always adjusted my 9.5 Johnson on the boat and in the water. To run it in a tank, is a 55 gallon drum the minimum I should use? What do you typically test outboards in?

I run by Nissan 8hp in a 30 gallon rubbermaid tub. Works fine and I can run it in gear.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Running motor in a tank

I use a deeper plastic recycling bin with the holes in the bottom plugged up and a saw horse with a 2x4 clamped to it. As long as you keep the water intake covered you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Running motor in a tank

One of the plastic 55gal drums turned sideways w/ a hole cut in the side works really well. You can run up those small outboards pretty good w/o spilling all the water. It sort of curls up at the opposite end where the hole isn't.

I'm having a tough time visualizing this, but it sounds very interesting. Do you have a photo?

I use a regular garbage can. I've found that running the engine in reverse instead of forward tends to splash much less water out of the garbage can that I use. I've assumed that this puts a similar load on the engine as the same RPM's in forward. I've used this technique for adjusting low end idle since it's always recommended to adjust idle in the water, in gear, and it seems to work.

I can actually rev it pretty high in reverse w/o splashing water out of the barrel. and do that if I want to run it faster in the barrel for a while.

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: Running motor in a tank

Are muff's out of the question? I forget now if they fit on the older intake types.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Running motor in a tank

Regular muffs are out of the question for that kind of intake. There are adapters out there (someplace). Barrel is your best bet.

As for the 55gal drum. Get the plastic kind that's all sealed up. Turn it on it's side and cut a hole in it about 2 feet from the end.

You're making a horizontal tube with a hole in one side.

I don't have one, but a friend does. Works great.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Running motor in a tank

Regular muffs are out of the question for that kind of intake. There are adapters out there (someplace). Barrel is your best bet.

As for the 55gal drum. Get the plastic kind that's all sealed up. Turn it on it's side and cut a hole in it about 2 feet from the end.

You're making a horizontal tube with a hole in one side.

I don't have one, but a friend does. Works great.

So the hole is where the engine l/u goes? Sounds like a good deal, especially if the lid of the barrel has a little removable plug that could be positioned to work as a drain hole. I'll bet you could do the same thing with a metal 55 gal drum if it had good tight lids at each end. Thanks for the tip.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Running motor in a tank

You could, but metal drums are a lot tougher to saw.


I think we've successfully hijacked this thread now though.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Running motor in a tank

Yep, sideways barrel is a good idea!

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Running motor in a tank

You could, but metal drums are a lot tougher to saw.


I think we've successfully hijacked this thread now though.

In the interests of keeping it well hijacked....

Actually, steel drums are easy to cut with a jigsaw (or sawzall) and a metal cutting blade. I've cut several in various ways to make water containers, burn barrels, etc. I think the trick would be to find one with a good sealing lid.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Running motor in a tank

I think the trick would be to find one with a good sealing lid.

Just need one that has only bungs in it, not a removable lid. Usually chemicals and petroleum products.