Weed eater engine conversion

Discussion in 'DIY Marinizing' started by Ward, Jun 2, 2003.

  1. evidrine
    Joined: Mar 2013
    Posts: 4
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Lafyaette, La

    evidrine New Member

    Hi there! Im new to the site and thought I should stop in to say hello. Ran accross this site while trying to find some information on a project I am about to start working on. After reading most of this thread, I now have a few more projects in mind thanks to all of you. I bought a 10ft jon a few years ago when I decided that wanted to start duck hunting. I figured it would make a good boyou jumper that I could fit in the back of my truck. I have a 3.3hp johoson outboard that moves it well enough but not what I want for digging though mud during duck season when the water is low. I plan on using a 7hp horizontal shaft motor to build a mud motor. Going with a 54" short shaft version all out of aluminum. This kind of build is not uncommon around here ( Southern Louisiana) so its fairly easy to find a design to follow. I also plan on adding an airtight extended transom to the back of the boat that will add more floatation for better motor support. This will also give me more steering room in the back of the boat. Transom will be raised to 16" which is recommened for a 54" shaft. I will aslo remove the middle bench and extend the front deck back a foot or two. I have a few other ideas that I am running through my head that I will descide on during the build. I really appreciate all of the good information on this site. There is deff. a lot of expereince here. I hope to keep reading about your projects and how they turn out. My wife will regret me finding this site. I will try post pics as I make progress.
     
  2. Erich_870
    Joined: Feb 2009
    Posts: 86
    Likes: 2, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 29
    Location: Juneau, Alaska

    Erich_870 Junior Member

    Welcome! How's your project going so far?

    Erich
     
  3. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Welcome, evidrine! Here is hoping you will post as your project progresses.
     
  4. evidrine
    Joined: Mar 2013
    Posts: 4
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Lafyaette, La

    evidrine New Member

    Thanks for welcoming me! Things kind of died down before I could get started. I started pricing materials and was ready to start the build when a buddy of mine told me to hold off becuase he had a frame already built that he would sell to me for pretty much what I was going to spend on the prop alone. I will just have to outfit it with a motor. I will soon start on the jon boat modifications. As soon as that is done I will get together with him and try his frame out and descide what size motor would best suit my boat. Its kind of a waiting game right now because he is much more experienced with welding aluminum than I am and finding the time to get together is becoming a challenge. I plan on getting the project underway very soon.
     
  5. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

  6. buttales
    Joined: Aug 2012
    Posts: 22
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: los angeles

    buttales Junior Member

    hi erich, i've heard that they only sell ethanol free gas in alaska and most of canada. u guys r lucky, most of the rest of the states have up to 10%. out here in cali i can get vp small engine fuel for 7 bucks a quart but the lawnmower shop that carries it is 20 miles away
     
  7. Erich_870
    Joined: Feb 2009
    Posts: 86
    Likes: 2, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 29
    Location: Juneau, Alaska

    Erich_870 Junior Member

    That's correct, we have no ethanol in our gas, but it does cost more because of the shipping and lower volume of sales. From what I've heard it's a necessity to add an aftermarket fuel stabilizer/conditioner to protect your engines from the problems associated with ethanol, but that's just what I've heard on the subject.

    Erich
     
  8. pistnbroke
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 1,405
    Likes: 34, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 404
    Location: Noosa.Australia where god kissed the earth.

    pistnbroke I try

    We have had 10% in Aus for a long time ..its not liked in boats but only because it attracts water which can be difficult in fixed tanks..should no be a problem in wackers .....$28 a gallon forget it
     
  9. buttales
    Joined: Aug 2012
    Posts: 22
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: los angeles

    buttales Junior Member

    out in cali they have summer blend and winter blend, not sure what the difference is but during the changeover they jack the price up.:( if u go on the honda site they talk about ethanol gas can go bad in as little as 2 weeks. i think that the diaphragm style carbs are more affected by moisture because the passageway is so tiny. on another note in a previous post i mentioned that u could use a pusher prop on a clockwise rotation motor, after trying it for myself it doesn't work even turned upside down so sorry about that if anyone else tried it.:eek: use a regular tractor or puller prop mounted upsidedown if u have a clockwise rotation
     
  10. buttales
    Joined: Aug 2012
    Posts: 22
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: los angeles

    buttales Junior Member

    here's a few pics of the different gearcases i have. building another on for a friend so i take a brandnew honda gx35 a take it apart so i can paint and clearcoat it
     

    Attached Files:

    1 person likes this.
  11. parkland
    Joined: Jul 2012
    Posts: 700
    Likes: 6, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: canada

    parkland Senior Member

    Canada is usually 10% ethanol, unless you buy premium.
    The fuel economy sucks with the ethanol, I think the ethanol actually drags the MPG down BELOW what it's percentage actually is.
    As in, I think gasoline with 10% ethanol gets more than 10% less economy than regular gasoline.
    It's a cheap filler.
     
  12. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=FL

    "Welcome to the definitive list of stations that sell pure, ethanol-free gasoline in the U.S. and Canada!"

    You're welcome. :)
     
  13. tom kane
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 1,768
    Likes: 49, Points: 58, Legacy Rep: 389
    Location: Hamilton.New Zealand.

    tom kane Senior Member

    It takes a long time for joe public to wake up he is being ripped off and some never do and often there is not much you can do about because the government dictates to you what you can and cannot do. And of course the smart arse business men.There are a multitude of crazy schemes like adding low quality fuels to dilute good fuel just increasing the volume marginally.
    The Green`s are good at that. In New Zealand we are getting close to compolsiory installing insulation in older homes suposidly to save energy when most of us have perfect insulation alreadt built in.
    It it just a schems to try and increase employment which are only temporaryThe business men are already to make us install dehumidifiers heat transfer systems and what nots suposidly so we save on hospital visits which do not work anyway.
     
    1 person likes this.
  14. Erich_870
    Joined: Feb 2009
    Posts: 86
    Likes: 2, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 29
    Location: Juneau, Alaska

    Erich_870 Junior Member

    Anyone have any project updates? I got a couple new motors I'm going to play around with.

    Erich
     

  15. SamSam
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 3,899
    Likes: 200, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 971
    Location: Coastal Georgia

    SamSam Senior Member

Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.