Q`s about head gaskets and reeds.

[gofastsandman]

BRP says the reeds are designed for the lifetime of the motor. They would not say what that subjective term was or define it in hours of use.

Same deal with head gaskets.

We know these things to cause Boom, but I lack an understanding of what is pro active vs leave it be.

`96 rude 150. 980 hrs. Run frequently, if only to disturb the peace.

Cheers,
GFS

[76Red18]

Hey Sandy pull it apart and check em. Go ahead and buy a complete gasket kit. I found one for less than $200. Your reeds should be good. You don't want any clearance between the reeds and their seats on the cage. Your head gaskets are o-rings. Replace them and the thermostat seals in the heads. A tiny ring of Brp sealant around all the little holes in the block decks and your set.

While your in there clean the carbon off the tops of the pistons and have a look your cylinder walls. Gives you a good idea of the wear on your motor. Get an inside micrometer and see how round or hopefully not out of round the bores are.

I was kind of wanting to replace mine with Boysens...

Clean the screen in the pisser. I didn't know there was one in there. Mine was a little dirty and might have made it run a little warm. Don't know why.

Don't be afraid to tear into this motor if the fasteners arn't corroded. I think I could probably strip mine to the short block in 30 minutes.

[Bushwacker]

Sandy, if you pull the heads, take a close look at the exhaust ports for carbon build-up. If there is much build up there, it'll have a big effect on performance. You'd have to pull the exhaust cover between the banks to get to them which is a bunch of bolts, and the ones in the center might be seized since that's the hottest part of the motor. I was able to pull that cover on my old 1975 V-4 years ago and clean out the ports. Even though I lost about 10-15 psi on before/after compression test due to all the carbon I scraped off the top of the pistons, I didn't lose a bit of WOT rpm, so I think the "bigger" ports compensated for the loss in compression! It was getting hard to start when cold before I sold it, and I think it might have been leaking reed valves that reduced crankcase compression. If you have that problem it might be worth looking at the reeds. Denny

[NoBones]

Sandy,
What is going on with your motor??
Running rough, missing, no power?????
I have Boysen reeds in the NoBones, they do wear out...
Yes, they boosted my HP by about 2% but they have to be replaced
about every 100 hours.. Big pain in the arz.... you get the picture.
If you have a problem narrow it down. Spark, compression or fuel..
More than likely fuel related in todays Obama world!!

Do not throw good money after bad.

Just my 2¢ worth.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by 76Red18

Hey Sandy pull it apart and check em. Go ahead and buy a complete gasket kit. I found one for less than $200. Your reeds should be good. You don't want any clearance between the reeds and their seats on the cage. Your head gaskets are o-rings. Replace them and the thermostat seals in the heads. A tiny ring of Brp sealant around all the little holes in the block decks and your set.

While your in there clean the carbon off the tops of the pistons and have a look your cylinder walls. Gives you a good idea of the wear on your motor. Get an inside micrometer and see how round or hopefully not out of round the bores are.

I was kind of wanting to replace mine with Boysens...

Clean the screen in the pisser. I didn't know there was one in there. Mine was a little dirty and might have made it run a little warm. Don't know why.

Don't be afraid to tear into this motor if the fasteners arn't corroded. I think I could probably strip mine to the short block in 30 minutes.

Thanks Rich. The motor is clean. The T stat seals are swelling. Can they stop the salt shakers from opening? Can I reuse the head bolts?

Denny,
Thanks, as always. She starts and runs nicely, if a bit thirsty. I decarb every year and highly recommend it to others. I hear you on the exhaust ports. Ping goes the ring.

Why do I keep extending my to do list?

I don`t have any real problem with the motor, but I will gladly extend her life if I can. I will run old smokers as long as they don`t legislate me off to a reservation in Arizona.

Thanks all,
GFS

[76Red18]

I reused my head bolts. Clean them, run a tap in the holes in the deck, a little marine grease on the threads, 85 ftlbs ( Check the specs for your year. Mines a 99 ), bolt pattern is stamped on the heads.

Check that timing.. One or two degrees retarded make her extra thirsty.

[76Red18]

Originally Posted by Bushwacker

Sandy, if you pull the heads, take a close look at the exhaust ports for carbon build-up. If there is much build up there, it'll have a big effect on performance. You'd have to pull the exhaust cover between the banks to get to them which is a bunch of bolts, and the ones in the center might be seized since that's the hottest part of the motor. I was able to pull that cover on my old 1975 V-4 years ago and clean out the ports. Even though I lost about 10-15 psi on before/after compression test due to all the carbon I scraped off the top of the pistons, I didn't lose a bit of WOT rpm, so I think the "bigger" ports compensated for the loss in compression! It was getting hard to start when cold before I sold it, and I think it might have been leaking reed valves that reduced crankcase compression. If you have that problem it might be worth looking at the reeds. Denny

Denny I wish we could pull that exaust cover to acess those ports but the 60's don't have them. These motors have an excellent build up potential but its diffucult to acess the ports.

Your "bigger" ports made her breath easier.

Any voyages in the planing stages? We have to get up there and see Terry's 21 again.

Richard

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by NoBones

Sandy,
What is going on with your motor??
Running rough, missing, no power?????
I have Boysen reeds in the NoBones, they do wear out...
Yes, they boosted my HP by about 2% but they have to be replaced
about every 100 hours.. Big pain in the arz.... you get the picture.
If you have a problem narrow it down. Spark, compression or fuel..
More than likely fuel related in todays Obama world!!

Do not throw good money after bad.

Just my 2¢ worth.

Rich,
My favorite bozo is almost down for the count. I found a piece of clear fuel line over the timing pick up roller. Probably explains part of my horrible fuel consumption. Link n sync is next.

Why oh why do bozos do these things. Someone who owned the boat was very savvy. Someone was a BOZO. Brian used to have a No Bozos sticker on his ole Mako 21.

Gotta find me one of those stickers

Ken,
I heard those Boysens wear out , but every 100 hrs? Do the Chris Carson reeds last longer?

I really don`t think I could make West End on 47 gallons with my current state of tune. I burn rediculous amounts of decayed dinosaurs. I have only run rec 90 for the last three years and refuse to run any of that moonshine.

This is where you get the real truth.
Thanks gang!

[eggsuckindog]

Sandy yes Chris Carsons are better IMHO and according to reports on Scream & Fly don't chip as bad - of course their RPMs are greater. I put CCMs in mine on the rebuild but they will not do much for HP or fuel economy - starting yes. Check your plugs regularly and if one is white that would indicate water, so head gaskets. Frankly I would get on the timing issue for fuel consumption and check that out - doesn't seem you have issues on the other 2.

If for some reason you pull the carbs and stuff and have an extra hun for reeds maybe do it, although EFI I can't believe how easy mine starts with fiber reeds.

De-carbing on a regular basis should keep the ring hang issue at bay

Ken I wouldn't think at 100 hrs they need changing unless you see chipping or you need to call Chris Carson ASAP - those guys are great, you'll know more about reeds on the phone than you ever dreamed of LOL - They have become the choice for the Scream & Fly guys