1947-48 Elgin 3.5hp, Model 571.58521

Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1947-48 Elgin 3.5hp, Model 571.58521

Viewing 4 posts - 11 through 14 (of 14 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Posts
  • June 10, 2016 at 8:08 am #38041
    frankr
    Participant

      US Member

      I still have a tube tester.

      June 10, 2016 at 12:50 pm #38048
      20mercman
      Participant

        US Member

        Those sliding vane water pumps pump like a fire pump. I think you will find that they are a fun little engine. Back when Sears really wanted their items to have quality.

        Steve

        June 13, 2016 at 2:00 am #38179
        Buccaneer
        Participant

          US Member

          I spend half the day putting the lower unit back together on the Elgin.
          I thought it was going to be a snap, but the water pump discharge tube
          fought me …… and it won. I couldn’t get the long brass floppy tube
          fed into the snug hole in the bottom of the pump housing. No rubber bushings
          on these things. I got it lined up with a guide rod from the bottom side
          and was able to get a 1/4" tap started into the discharge tube, but still
          couldn’t get the tube pulled into the hole. I ended up making a whole new
          tube out of copper tubing, starting with a straight piece, and was able
          to get it in the hole in the pump housing, but it was a pain to then bend a 90
          degree turn on the top side, for the pipe to go into the housing that bolts
          to the power head.

          Were there ever any Elgin service manuals that covered procedures on the
          early Elgins? If so, I’d be curious how they say to put the lower unit back together!

          Prepare to be boarded!

          June 14, 2016 at 11:58 pm #38289
          Buccaneer
          Participant

            US Member

            I installed the orange caps per Franks’ recommendation today, finished putting
            the outboard together, and test ran it in the barrel. It started on the third pull.
            It ran fair, but it didn’t sound like it developed full speed.
            Noticed the reed block gasket and the transfer port cover were leaky slightly,
            and one fitting on the gas line would not seal up.
            Back to the bench, tightened up the bolts on the reed block and transfer port cover
            and fixed the leaky gas line. Also remembered that I put a prop on it from a 5hp
            Elgin, as the 3.5hp prop that was on it had a chunk out of it were the shear pin goes.
            The props seem to be the same diameter, but perhaps different pitch?
            This may be why it seems to bog out slightly at full speed.
            The original prop had number 21265
            the 5hp prop is number 22265
            A 2.5 hp prop has number 19265
            Out of curiousity, does anyone have a listing that tells the specs on these props?

            I barrel tested it again and it seem to run a little better on low end, but when slowed
            down to "slow" it would "cough" after a bit and want to die. Low speed adjustment
            didn’t cure it, but when choked about 3/4 it did. Noticed that the transfer port
            cover gasket is still bubbling / leaking a little.
            It does not need choked to run fast.
            Would a slight leak on the transfer port cover gasket be causing my issue?
            Will try fixing that tomorrow.

            Anyway, I think the orange caps are doing their job. Thanks Frank!
            I removed the original guts from the Wico condensers and filled them
            with red RTV that I had handy. The orange caps just fit between
            the coil and points.

            Wednesday Update- made a new gasket for the transfer port cover and
            installed a prop from a 2.5 hp Elgin. Had all three props on the bench
            together, and can see that are are all slightly different in pitch.
            Test ran it in the tank. Winds up nice now with the different prop…
            hopefully not too nice! Idles nice now, but still coughs once in a
            while while transitioning from slow towards fast, but runs great when
            at a steady speed. Anxious to get it on the lake….. looks like a great
            trolling motor for my little AlumaCraft.

            Video of it running for the first time in many years no doubt.
            https://youtu.be/4iS2V8fwzZ8

            Attachments:

            Prepare to be boarded!

          • Author
            Posts
          Viewing 4 posts - 11 through 14 (of 14 total)
          1 2
          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.