Date
1 - 11 of 11
The new "gassie" found me today
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Yesterday I spent the day checking out a kicker for Surprise, besides a good time with the coots lunch. One motor I looked over from craigslist called back, and I couldn't refuse the deal. I'm now the new owner of a maybe 2 year old Suzuki 4 hp. with maybe 10 hours on it. The guys brother bought the boat, but the trolling motor was too short shafted for comfort. So it sat till his brother bought the whole boat few months back, humm!! motor still is too short. So after a couple more months the brother and new owner decides to buy a new long shaft.
He gets so pissed at the dealer that he called back today, and asked if I would buy it, so the new long shaft would be a cash deal. His price was reasonable before for the motor, but a bit more than I wanted to spend, Bottom line I drove home with it at $500. I think that was a pretty good deal for a four stroker that looks unused. No extra tank, but those are easy to add on. Good deal, he gets the long shaft, I get to redo enough stuff to make it all balance out. Batteries -- 2 removed, 2 placed ahead of the cockpit should do it. The motor is pretty light, I think I can do remote controls with on steering needed, push pull gears, and throttle cable. Ideas welcome, as I figure how to sink that motor into the aft compartment. Maybe some ideas on How to hold it in place for mounting etc. Remind me why I did this, when I get pissed over all the hassle later, thanks, ---- Cal |
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Heck of a deal, Cal! :o) Suzuki's current 4 hp. is supposed to weigh 55 lb. It uses the same block as their 6 hp.
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http://www.suzukimarine.com/Product%20Lines/Outboard%20Motors/Products/DF4A/2012/DF4A.aspx I wouldn't bother with trying to make the outboard steer. It'll be pushing water right over your rudder, so Surprise should steer good. A second steering system would be a pain in the neck to rig up and use! :ob If the motor doesn't steer, you can use a simple stick for shifting gears, or something almost as simple. Rigging a cable up for the throttle shouldn't be very difficult... have fun! On 10/8/2021 5:53 PM, Electri-Cal wrote:
Yesterday I spent the day checking out a kicker for Surprise, besides a good time with the coots lunch. One motor I looked over from craigslist called back, and I couldn't refuse the deal. I'm now the new owner of a maybe 2 year old Suzuki 4 hp. with maybe 10 hours on it.-- John <jkohnen@...> Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. (George Jean Nathan) |
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With the motor fixed in position. I'll bet it'd be pretty easy to control the throttle using the twist grip, using a couple of levers and a couple of rods. The lever on the grip could even be clamped on, so the motor wouldn't have to be altered at all. See the attached crude sketch.
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On 10/9/2021 1:47 PM, I wrote:
...-- John <jkohnen@...> Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers. (Lewis Mumford) |
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G'day John --- Ok, the real details come with looking up the serial number. A call to the brother reveals more. The motor is a 2012, so years older. However, first owner found that the lower unit cavitated and leaned the boat too much for him. So he stored it in the garage till his brother got it with the boat. As I mentioned, still too short, so back to the garage since he didn't have a hi/lo mount on the boat. More time passes, and now I get it with the years, but hardly any use, according to the seller !!
Probably paid about right for a new looking but older, low hour motor, no wear spots except side storage pads, lower unit fin on same side. Prop looks unworn new, zero grease and dirt inside the case, well marine blue lubed that rubs off the steering collar, hand grip looks undamaged, cut off switch not all marked up. Feels like compression is smooth but I didn't run it, he did have a hose connection and assured me it had been washed when used. One outside close to water mount bolt had rust, but not any operating part showed corrosion problems. Didn't run it, but I couldn't find any problems that would make me suspicious. So far, so good, ----- I hope ---- Cal |
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Just thought of a couple things. The 4 hp and 6 hp is a simple carb change, if needed, about a $75. part, then the new silent carb. air box also fits, from what I see. I have a tiller extender her, so maybe extend that with a tube across the open area. Wiring shows a possible extension to a toggle closer to me, when stopping for EV power. Only hard part is starting, choke pull -- but this is an auxiliary, so I might have to leave the rear cover at home for longer trips, that need restarting, Not sure how the well will have to be opened ot fit, but some air will be necessary, and I have a couple 50 ish chrome air scoops that could help a bunch
I do Need to get that gate done for us today too. I was thinking of taking the motor to my mechanic first, but I can check water flow, a new plug, complete relube the lower end, the general sounds, and controls first in a bucket, way cheaper. Not like this is my first rodeo, on the outboard motor power deal. OH yeah, the pull cord looks like new, and clean gas in the tank so it was checked recently too, probably for buyer starting if needed. The chances are good that the seller was ok, if not completely honest as to year of mfg. A lot cleaner than my scooter was, so i'd figure a 4 stroker is easier to check for obvious damage through oiling or wear problems. So far, so good, --- fingers crossed --- Cal |
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Richard Green
I”ve always locked the motor ‘forward’ and steered with the tiller which is a much more effective and intuitive way to control the boat. Trying to steer with the motor sets it against the rudder and can only be done if you lock the tiller/rudder forward. I’ve seen guys trying to steer with both the motor and tiller with horrible results. Conversely, you can steer with the motor if you remove the rudder first but locking the motor so it does not steer is the best IMHO.
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Rich G On Oct 9, 2021, at 1:47 PM, John Kohnen <jkohnen@...> wrote: |
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Perhaps it's just a poor choice of words, but I wouldn't say that "smooth" was what I'd want when it comes to compression. <g> An engine that's been sitting for a long, long time can lose compression past rings that aren't seating quite right. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. It's a good idea to put a little oil through the sparkplug hole into the combustion chamber, then turn the engine over a few times before trying to start it. The oil will seal the rings and eliminate any possible scuffing of the cylinder when the engine starts.
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Be prepared to replace the impeller. On 10/10/2021 7:35 AM, Electri-Cal wrote:
G'day John --- Ok, the real details come with looking up the serial number. A call to the brother reveals more. The motor is a 2012, so years older.-- John <jkohnen@...> Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. (Voltaire) |
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As a note, you are right John. I meant that no unusual sounds came out, With the cover off, nothing sounded amiss. Yep, should have put some oil in the spark plug holes, and then done a second test. I got all new lubricants coming in, after figuring what to get on line. I have no factory instructions, so I'm not going someplace without a good look at what's correct. There are special products for the smaller outboards, some that were for that year motor that need to be found, Four strokers seem easier, like lawn mowers. Oils have changed, and I don't want to do something not a good idea. The best most comprehensive work on this is applied to the Mercury version. No surprise there, but I try to follow several that agree, when I find them. Some reports are obviously by idiots looking for anybody who will look at bad movies, and semi-obvious small mistakes.
Like most, I have always done lube jobs putting enough to see NEW lube coming out. "Filling short", to leave partial old dead lube in place is common. I say that in particular for lower unit leg and the swivel joint. Mine does have a dry sound, which I don't like, but I will re fill both "zerks" when new lube gets in. It looked like two different lubes were used, colorwise, One of the things that might occur with different owners, will have to see by next week. Got served a 42 oz, plus steak (roast) last night. Perfect, in every way, so we saved most of each for several more meals as usual. The Cowboy Dinner Tree is worth every nickel for tender and flavorful meat. Once a year in the past we would do this along with the Paulina coots trip. Missed doing that, but the fall drive, with pronghorn deer as roadies, and an excellent meal are worth it, the reservations are weeks out sometimes. Ready for More coffee this am, Later, Cal |
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I use Mercury Quicksilver motor oil. It's readily available locally (Bi-mart? W**mart) and I use so little of it that the extra cost doesn't matter. The manufacturer may get persnickety about what gear lube you use in the lower unit. Too bad Suzuki makes it so hard to get a free owner's manual online! <sigh> That's not a problem with Tohatsu/Nissan/Merc and Honda. <shrug> As far as I know Suzuki makes their own engines, or uses their own captive supplier. Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury motors are completely different.
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I'm sure you know that you open both the top and bottom plugs on the lower unit to drain the gear oil, then fill through the _bottom_ hole until the oil comes out the top hole. Then replace the top plug before pulling the gear oil tube nozzle, or pump nozzle, quickly and promptly replacing the bottom plug. It's time to change Lazy Jack's gear oil this winter... I use a cheap pump from Harbor Freight so I can buy more economical quantities of gear oil. I hope I can find what I had left over from last time! <g> https://www.harborfreight.com/gear-oil-and-fluid-pump-61746.html On 10/15/2021 8:07 AM, Electri-Cal wrote:
...-- John <jkohnen@...> The proudest moments of my life have been passed in the stern-sheets of a boat with that romantic garment over my shoulders. (Robert Louis Stevenson about his boat cloak) |
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Richard Green
Ok, NOW we’re talking something really important!! Where is the Cowboy Dinner Tree? Finding a good steak is now worse than the proverbial needle in the haystack and I’m prepare to travel (as soon as wife’s just replaced hip permits) to find one.
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Rich G
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Okie Dokie !! I'd bet that you couldn't go to any steak house better than the Cowboy Dinner Tree. They are word of mouth, and on web, from what I know. You call for individual reservations, and you choose steak or chicken, that's it, no upselling, just the meal, big salad, cowboy baked beans by the pot, main item and home made biscuits, as much as you can eat, plus take home more in their bags, or your containers. We get about 3 to 4 meals from the leftovers. Beans and biscuits last 2 meals, cause we hate to be greedy. Drinks, ice tea, lemonade, no alcohol beverages allowed inside. Oh yeah, home made dessert to season, their choice. One price per meal, at just under $50. each. It isn't the price -- it's what you get for the bucks !! I see big families order whole meals, then take another whole meal home for relatives. Also visit and walk around the old time ranch, tools, and exhibits, dinner is an all afternoon deal.
WE eat early, around 4 to 5 to return before dark, and drive back to Sun River. After the first trip we did rent a mini house cabin, not this time, thats summer fun. This was a good long drive, through gorgeous high country desert. The local town is Silverlake, but just look for the best route on line from your area. You call for available time weeks in advance, and they are always loaded by sundown, La verne handles the details, I just drive the BBQ getaway car. If you don't see it, let me know and I can check what the route is for us,. Have at It, nobody eats it all !! ----- Cal |
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