I Love My Whaler…Maybe To Much!
One good blow and it’sall good again!
Ever since we got our trusty 1970 Whaler out on the water, it has been the fully expected issues from an engine sitting for a long time. The perfect, on the outside Bearcat 55 outboard is a fun little 4 cycle motor that pulls the whaler along at sassy 20 mph clip. At first we installed a new impeller and then some other repairs in the cooling system trying to be understanding and supportive of its needs after many years tucked away in silence. But recently the Bearcat has required special needs to keep going. And I am not sure I am comfortable talking about this in public since the whaler is part of the family. But I am just wondering if I am alone? Ya see… oh .. I am not sure I should be telling this.. Well see, It’s been experiencing a weak pee stream. That’s how I have been describing it. As a motor that needs Flowmax.. Must have a prostate problem. In hind site, I should have refereed to it as a telltale.. Well, the solution.. Is to pull out the hose and Blow into it. In other words, to give it a … Lawinski! Solves the problem for about a half hour..
A nice good pee stream.. For about 30 minutes
NOW…. if that’s not bad enough.. From time to time the carbs get clogged, so I have to stick my finger in one of the carbs to create vacuum.. It likes that as well. So here I am blowing this dam engine and sticking my finger in it to make it happy! I keep telling myself its just crud in the tank and inside of the motor, or is it? I want to be supportive, I have no issues with a gay boat.. It’s a rather colorful boat, makes my dock look fabulous, and entertains all that ride in it. I feel so confused? Please, anyone have any advice?
You know the old saying, ” If it ain’t black,send it back”
I’m not touching this one with a 10 ft. Boat hook!
Speachless
Bunch of chickens! Suzy says its me not the boat! OUCH!
She would know!
I am still trying to think of a come back..
That old motor is proBABLY “proSTRATE” with its proSTATE problems…..reminds one of the classic caroon in playboy 40 years ago…guy is walking down the hall in a hotel and through the transom (thing over the door..not stern of the boat), he hears a plantive ….”blow is just an expression Mary Beth”. Go Boating. See ya in Reedville….
John in Va.
That’s carToon!
Is it a problem of too much boating or not enough. You are a sick pup. Frustration at an ill tempered engine can make people say all sorts of things. And by the way you can do those things to the boat since the tradition is to name them female. Mine are all named after my wife. Time to rethink your approach.
We thought of naming it Suzy Too! Since the other boat is named after her.. But that was vetoed.. Then it was going to be called Keeper.. but latley that name is fading.. HA.. Its the usual crap with old outboards. By spring she will have a new 75 on her, and that will be that. 20mph is no fun.. And that motor is VERY noisy.. But it looks cool, and at low speed, PERFECT! Other than the “serviceing issues”
Don’t worry until you have to start doing both “remedies” at the same time.
Uh, you did clean the fuel tank and add a modern spin on fuel filter/water seperator right? That is usually cheaper than joining the carb rebuild kit of the month club over the long run.
As for the pee stream, what is clogging that every 30 minutes and where is it coming from? Do you need an intake screen to keep the water bourn gunk out? If no gunk, is your hose collapsing on the inside?
Finally, why upgrade to a 75 when you can get a classic 150 hp Mercury Tower of Power to really make that thing move and look ultra cool while doing it?
If I didn’t know better I’d just say you were “Homelite phobic”, but the fact you’re willing to stick your fingers in dark places we’ll referred to you as a proc, I mean “carboligist”. Agree with Mr Fine, flush tanks, inline spin on filter to address fuel system issues.
Regarding your flow issues, is your hose deteriorating, lol? due for replacement?
LOL, at a certain age I hear the hose can start to decline.
last year there was a neat guy at the Reedville show (coming this WEEKEND FOLKS!), who was an outboard guru…..tank to engine hoses and ethanol was the topic of conversation…on my Mercs, new, he said that the gray fuel hose with the RED writing on it was the resigned product that would stand up to E on the inside of the hose and not come apart and clog stuff up like the BLUE lettered hose.
Interesting tidbit.
See you in Reedville…go boating. I am just back from a cruise today!!
John in Va.
Matt: Ii feel your pain. Everything you describe happened to my 63 Grady 850 merc. Had the seals redone, carbs cleaned, rebuilt, new fuel lines, tank. etc. Would run great and the next weekend wouldnt start. Just couldnt deal with it,
Old Outboards, and Old trailers are trouble! I was warned years ago. And its always been true.the whaler will have a new 75hp very very soon.. not to mention I hate messing up the Bearcat. Its very clean and nice. Would be nice sitting in the barn.
Matt, I’m looking for one of those old Bearcats. Have you made amends with yours or is it on the block?
People often ask me why I don’t use Casper (my very original 1957 fiberglass runabout) more, and quite honestly I love the boat, but hate dealing with the 1957 Mercury outboard.
Oh ohhh. You mean the 57 Johnson 50 Seahorse on my Palomino is going to be troublesome?
I started it once, not long after I got it and it ran well. What are you guys saying?
Philip,
You won’t have any trouble keeping those carbs clean. That ’59 Fat Fifty will go through the gas so fast that no gunk will be able to accumulate anywhere.
I had the same issue with my 9.9 Yamaha 4 stoke. I think this bay gook
clogs it up, as well as salt sediments. It was a PAIN. Of course, I did not think of it the same way you do..
I too have same pee-ing problem, have to blow up pee tube once at least once a trip and explain to others why I’m giving a BJ to my trusty Bearcat! I love telling people that two of us can fish and crab all day in the Pacific Ocean in my 16′ wood boat and burn less then 6 gallons gas!