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by Theurkauf
Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:58 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Starting issues
Replies: 10
Views: 8709

Re: Starting issues

I suspect fuel has syphoned out of those 3 cards while sitting, and all that cranking is needed to fill them up. I have no experience with a tri-carb, but my humble model B (also 6 volt) will take serious cranking after sitting a week or 2, UNLESS I manually prime first. Then if fires up after 1 or ...
by Theurkauf
Wed Aug 17, 2016 6:36 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: 'K' Engine Water Pump Seal Leak
Replies: 3
Views: 2301

Re: 'K' Engine Water Pump Seal Leak

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that older pre-war water pumps with an open configuration (you can see the drive shaft) do drip a bit when running, like a prop shaft stuffing box, but the newer pumps (closed, so you can't see the shaft) shouldn't leak. Someone who actually knows more about th...
by Theurkauf
Wed Aug 17, 2016 6:16 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Fuel Pump
Replies: 2
Views: 2137

Re: Fuel Pump

I have limited experience with these old engines, but If the priming bale, or whatever you call that external wire loop, works with the pump off the motor but not after installation, my bet is that the internal lever that rides on the cam is hung up on something so it's compressed all the time. Migh...
by Theurkauf
Wed Jul 06, 2016 4:48 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Model A/B engine generator replacement
Replies: 10
Views: 5510

Re: Model A/B engine generator replacement

To follow up on the 6V to 12V converters. They are marketed to vintage car owners who want to run modern 12 V accessories. I picked mine up on e bay for around $60. It's rated for 5 amps, and my 500 gph pump is 3.5 amp, with suggested 5 amp fuse. It works fine. I did try the pump on 6 volts, and it ...
by Theurkauf
Sun Jul 03, 2016 5:08 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Model A/B engine generator replacement
Replies: 10
Views: 5510

Re: Model A/B engine generator replacement

On my Model B, the belt was not long enough to fit around the fly wheel alone. No option but to remove it, but that is not a big deal (4 bolts). I know this has been discussed 1000 times, but I will put in my pitch for sticking with original 6V. I really wanted to keep my boat as "original" as possi...
by Theurkauf
Sun May 08, 2016 7:52 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?
Replies: 13
Views: 6347

Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

I would just launch and have some fun. The cracks almost certainly opened up when the planks dried out while sitting on the trailer, and will probably close up after you start using it and it sees some water on a regular basis. You night even hose it down a few times before launching and see if the ...
by Theurkauf
Mon Jul 13, 2015 5:39 pm
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Hot generator
Replies: 12
Views: 5629

Re: Hot generator

The generator runs between 8 and 9 amps. Cuts in/out as expected. As I said, it seems to be functioning fine, just seems a on the hot side. I don't have an IR thermometer. If I can track one down, what would be normal vs hot??? Since it's working, perhaps best to just keep an eye on it and go boatin...
by Theurkauf
Thu Jul 09, 2015 5:52 pm
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Hot generator
Replies: 12
Views: 5629

Hot generator

I recently installed a rebuilt 6V generator on my model B engine. It's been working fine, but gets VERY hot. After a longish run, you can touch it, but not for long. It's much hotter than the cylinder head, for example I must admit that I never really checked the temp on my old generator. Is this no...
by Theurkauf
Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:39 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Fuel pump kit question
Replies: 12
Views: 4297

Re: Fuel pump kit question

In my experience, poor suction on the input side is often due to a poor seal for the gasket on the glass fuel bowl. I drain my fuel system every fall, and it seems like I have to fiddle with the bowl gasket every spring. If everything is aligned properly, a few pumps gets fuel flowing to the bowl. I...
by Theurkauf
Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:36 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Fuel pump kit question
Replies: 12
Views: 4297

Re: Fuel pump kit question

Just checked a spare pump I have and it does look like the valves are correct in the first picture. In my experience, poor suction on the input side is often due to a misaligned gasket on the glass fuel bowl. I drain my fuel system every fall, and it seems like I have to fiddle with the bowl gasket ...
by Theurkauf
Thu Jun 11, 2015 8:23 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Post War Runabout Fuel Line Restoration
Replies: 10
Views: 3868

Re: Post War Runabout Fuel Line Restoration

Answers to a couple of specific questions, based on my 1950 Sportsman: 1. Are anti-siphon devices required on the restored fuel system? My original pick up tube has a pin hole at the top that serves as an anti-syphon, allowing air to enter when the pump stops. Seems to work well, but clogging could ...
by Theurkauf
Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:22 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: How far can you run down the gas tank??
Replies: 7
Views: 3518

Re: How far can you run down the gas tank??

Just read your recent posts and had a very strong feeling of deja vu. I had the same symptoms when I first launched my boat after restoration. I'd rebuilt just about everything, but the fuel tank. It would start and run fine, then stop. Ran better with a full tank, probably because of the pressure h...
by Theurkauf
Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:03 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: CPES/Total Boat
Replies: 9
Views: 5750

Re: CPES/Total Boat

I've recently used Total Boat on a sail boat I'm currently restoring,. It is much thicker than CPES and needs to be thinned at least 2 fold with lacquer thinner or something similar. That's not a big deal, but It takes MUCH longer to dry, at least in my very cool shop. Under conditions where Cold Fo...
by Theurkauf
Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:05 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Hard to start model K
Replies: 19
Views: 10124

Re: Hard to start model K

A warm engine will be tighter than a cold engine, leading to slow warm cranking/starting problems. This could be caused by a bad starter, as suggested, or a bad battery or generator/alternator. I had a '67 Mercedes a few year ago that wouldn't start warm, and it ended up being a bad alternator. I wo...
by Theurkauf
Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:00 pm
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: cutwater
Replies: 6
Views: 3654

Re: cutwater

Shoud have added a photo! Here's the cutwater Mike made for me.

Bill
by Theurkauf
Sun Aug 17, 2014 8:42 am
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: cutwater
Replies: 6
Views: 3654

Re: cutwater

Mike Schreiber/cutwaters.com made a new cutwater for my 17ft sportsman. I'm very happy with it. He may already have a pattern for your boat, which would save the hassle of shipping yours.

Good luck,
Bill
by Theurkauf
Fri Aug 08, 2014 3:00 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: drive shaft pulled out transmission seal-lost all oil
Replies: 44
Views: 24168

Re: drive shaft pulled out transmission seal-lost all oil

You mentioned trying to adjust the transmission when you where on the water, so I assume you would have noticed if the seal was off when you first lost power to the prop. If you dumped the oil after the boat was on the trailer, the engine should be fine, and the transmission may just need reassembly...
by Theurkauf
Sat Jul 05, 2014 12:48 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Low speed stall/rough idle
Replies: 3
Views: 2187

Re: Low speed stall/rough idle

The problem was a stuck float valve. Opened the drain on the intake and gas poured out. Removed the carb, opened up the bowl and gave everything a spray of Gumout. I also very slightly increased the bend on the float so it would close a bit sooner (very minor tweak). Running sweetly now. Happy 4th!
by Theurkauf
Tue Jul 01, 2014 2:14 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Low speed stall/rough idle
Replies: 3
Views: 2187

Re: Low speed stall/rough idle

The plugs are black, but dry. The boat has been running beautifully, fired up on the first touch of the starter button, idled smoothly at 500 rpm for a couple of minutes, and then started to sputter. The sudden onset has me thinking the that something clogged (idle jet?), got stuck (float?) or faile...
by Theurkauf
Tue Jul 01, 2014 1:36 pm
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Replacing 6 volt bilge pump with 12 volt
Replies: 4
Views: 3613

Re: Replacing 6 volt bilge pump with 12 volt

I've been using a 12 volt Johnson bilge pump on my 6 volt system with a 6 to 12 volt converter for over a year with no problems. The pump is reported to work on 6V, but is much stronger with the converter in place. The converter is small and was easily mounted behind the dash. The unit I have is rat...
by Theurkauf
Tue Jul 01, 2014 11:35 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Low speed stall/rough idle
Replies: 3
Views: 2187

Low speed stall/rough idle

I have a 17ft sportsman with Model B engine that has been running fine, but this past weekend it started missing at low rpm a minute or so after leaving the dock. It smoothed out as I accelerated and ran fine between 2000 and 3000 rpm. Every time I slowed down it would miss, and speeding up solved t...
by Theurkauf
Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:14 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Looking for someone doing a pattern boat rebuild
Replies: 1
Views: 1541

Re: Looking for someone doing a pattern boat rebuild

Hi Joe, I think you'll have a hard time finding an home builder with the space/energy to make 2 complete copies of any boat, and the chances of finding someone rebuilding one of your boats who is willing/able to make a second copy is really slim. The good news is that you have two cool boats that yo...
by Theurkauf
Mon Sep 02, 2013 3:06 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: lesson learned-don't ignore the fuel tank!
Replies: 6
Views: 3498

Re: lesson learned-don't ignore the fuel tank!

OK, I didn't give all the ugly details. I did install a Sierra spin on fuel filter. When I was first having fuel delivery problems, I reasoned that the pump wasn’t designed to handle the extra flow restriction, which could cause problems overcoming the anti-siphon on the fuel pickup. So, I bypassed ...
by Theurkauf
Sun Sep 01, 2013 10:00 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: lesson learned-don't ignore the fuel tank!
Replies: 6
Views: 3498

lesson learned-don't ignore the fuel tank!

This won't surpise many of you, but maybe my trials can save another novice a few headaches. I completed restoration of a 1950, 17 ft Sportsman late last summer. New bottom, topsides, deck, upholstery, wiring, 10 coats of varnish, etc. The boat has a B engine with excellent compression (125-130/cyli...
by Theurkauf
Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:38 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: 1954 Spotsman
Replies: 7
Views: 2982

Re: 1954 Spotsman

The forward drive is adjustable to compensate for plate ware. In trying to salvage a worn transmission on a 1950 Sportsman, I tightened the adjustment to the point that there was no "space" between forward and reverse. My transmission had to be rebuilt. You may have the opposite problem (new plate/f...
by Theurkauf
Thu Aug 22, 2013 6:21 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: How to cut a Keel for a 1951-18'Riviera
Replies: 3
Views: 3185

Re: How to cut a Keel for a 1951-18'Riviera

I don't know of a video, but Danenberg's "How to Restore Your Wooden Runabout" has a pretty detailed description of keel replacement. He suggests a scarf joint if you can't get full length lumber. I've epoxy laminated mahogany boat frames and it works well, and can be stronger than solid lumber. I t...
by Theurkauf
Thu Aug 22, 2013 6:04 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Stern Pole light construction
Replies: 5
Views: 4304

Re: Stern Pole light construction

Sounds very different from the pole on my 1950 Sportsman. I'm not sure this will help, but my pole socket is wired to the engine (ground/-) through one of the mounting bolts holding it to the deck. The center of the socket has a hole with an insulated machine screw, head up. Positive is wired to the...
by Theurkauf
Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:20 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KFL Engine Oil
Replies: 22
Views: 16234

Re: KFL Engine Oil

I ordered a case of Brad Penn009-7139 from Amazon yesterday and it will arrive tomorrow. Price seemed pretty reasonable, but I didn't shop around that much and there are several on-line vendors.
by Theurkauf
Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:03 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KFL Engine Oil
Replies: 22
Views: 16234

Re: KFL Engine Oil

The detergent issue has puzzled me. The Chris Craft 4 and 6 Cylinder Operators Manuel I have states: "We recommend the use of SAE #30 lubricating oil containing detergents and additives conforming to API "MS" or DG..." These engines did not have oil filters. My understanding is that detergent oils w...
by Theurkauf
Sat Aug 17, 2013 6:03 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KFL Engine Oil
Replies: 22
Views: 16234

Re: KFL Engine Oil

I recently asked Dave Van Ness (Van Ness Engineering) this vey question and he suggested Shell Rotella, straight 30 weight. I was asking about a model B, but I believe the correct oil weight is usually stamped on the engine ID tag.