Anyone have a 25 late model? I've got a question - Page 2

gf · #11 03-10-2006, 10:51 AM

Great looking baot!

I would have those '98 Johnson 150 FICHT engines checked out carefully by a large OMC/Bombardier dealer. With only 185 hours on them over 8 years you could have issues with them down the road.

With those first year OMC FICHT engines, if they have lasted this long and have 500+ hours on them, they'll probably be ok. With low hours like that, you really don't know yet.

Dave Hirshberg · #12 03-10-2006, 11:04 AM

Thanks for the welcome back, and I know what your saying about the motors. I did a lot of research on them and the general consensus is that if they have't broken yet, don't mess with them. The FICHT guys I talked to on THT basically said some were bad and were bad from day one and some ran great. We'll see. The cement blocks had me concerned also but its not as bad as the pictures make it seem. I'm sure there are some issues with the boat but I still have to pull her out and dust her off to see. I'm having an anodized trailer built for her and I'll post some better pics after a week or so when I have the time to pull it out of storage.
Thanks again.

gf · #13 03-10-2006, 12:37 PM

Oops! Just saw your post at THT from the other night. I must have missed it earlier. Looks like you are on the right track.

Bigshrimpin · #14 03-10-2006, 03:15 PM

Dave - Rancho Marine Recyclers in Rancho Cordova has a set (or sets) of brand new pinned heads (update kit) for a either a 150 or 175 . . . I'll see if they still have the kits this weekend. Also I have the FICHT 1.42B software for connecting to the computers. Let me know if you want it . . . you can make a small donation to the site . . . and I'll put it in the mail. It runs on DOS 6.22 and you need a serial port on your laptop to run it.

www.DFItechnologies.com is the best source of info for the ficht motors.

The thing that craps out the most with these motors is the computer!! It's an aluminum finned air cooled computer that relys on an enormous plastic shroud and a flywheel fan for cooling. In 2000 fichts moved to the water cooled computers after Bombardier got involved.

I replaced this motor with a 1981 Merc!! and I don't regret it for a second.

ocuyler · #15 03-10-2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

It runs on DOS 6.22 and you need a serial port on your laptop to run it.

What's a DOS 6.22? What's a serial port for that matter?

Bigshrimpin · #16 03-10-2006, 10:57 PM

otto - DOS 6.22 is an old operating system for a PC, before win3.1 or win95.

A Serial port is a 9 pin D shaped connector that is on most older laptops and computers.

This is the same software and it comes with a cable . . .
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FICHT...QQcmdZViewItem

I almost forgot you'll want a service manual too . . .
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/150-1...QQcmdZViewItem

One last comment . . . The mid sections/lowerunits of these motors is the same as the Carb versions, so if for some reason these FICHT's don't work out . . . you can yank the powerheads off, hawk the parts on ebay, and replace them with dressed Carb powerheads.

Dave Hirshberg · #17 03-11-2006, 01:53 AM

Many thanks Big Shrimpin.
I may take you up on all you offer and will gladly make a donation to the site. Do you really think I should replace the heads with the pinned updates? Or, should I leave well enough alone. I have no idea what the updated heads would cost and weather they would be worth the expense in relation to the value of the motors as is. I was also told about the cooling shroud for the computer and understand its importance. My question for those that may have a 25 is in regards to the bulkhead just ahead ot the center console. On mine the tabbing is broken loose at the base of the bulkhead at the bollom of the hull. I've also seen this exact failure on a newer 25. I know how I plan to fix it, but any input from those who have already tackled this problem would be welcome.

Dave Hirshberg · #18 03-11-2006, 01:57 AM

By the way, Great looking boat Big shrimpin!

ocuyler · #19 03-12-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

otto - DOS 6.22 is an old operating system for a PC, before win3.1 or win95.

I knew that - just kidding! Unfortunately, I have been intimate with every version since Bill Gates was in 6th grade. It's just wierd to think anything still runs on DOS.

Abort, Retry, Fail?

Finster · #20 03-12-2006, 11:01 PM

Hah, any of you guys remember a TRS-80?