Author Topic: Tower of Power Backup Insurance  (Read 16138 times)

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Offline David CVX-16

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Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« on: December 05, 2010, 04:22:35 PM »
My 1974 115 HP Mercury will someday need replacement. Noticed this 1988 (last year of the in-line 6's) 115 HP Merc on Craigslist and purchased it, with pickup next April. Improvements over my present motor are electronic ignition, power trim motor outside the boat, horse power rating at the prop rather than at the powerhead, and oil injection. Hear that this was the old 140 HP under the old rating system.  

It was on a 17' fishing boat and has low hours. The seller was able to get a 115 Evinrude 2003 factory testing motor broken in but not used with 22 hours for about the same money as the selling price of the 1988, otherwise they were going to destroy it.

Comes with 2 aluminum props, control box, control cable, tach, power trim gauge, and water pressure gauge.  

Will need the cavitation plate rubber fins taken off and 8 holes filled, paint scratches touched up, and bottom 1" of skeg welded back.

Plans are to build a motor stand to mount it, weld and fill holes, restore paint, and keep in storage until the old motor runs no more, get tired of Doug Campbell always beating my speed, others in our Glastron group faster, or find a suitable boat to mount this on.  

Should add a few MPH to the top end.  
« Last Edit: December 05, 2010, 04:28:52 PM by David V-153 »
David
87' CVX-16, 85' 115 HP Johnson, 58.8 MPH GPS w/ 23" SRX Prop

Offline Jason

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2010, 04:32:41 PM »
.........tired of Doug Campbell always beating my speed..........  

HA! That's what I was thinking this was all about. I was thinking that the entire time I was reading your post Dave!

I think you should swap it out now and use your current motor as the "insurance motor". Now that you bought this new engine, your old one will never die!

Nice find.
Jason S.
1974 Glastron Carlson CV16SS 140 I/O
1986 Glastron Carlson CV23 260 I/O

GT150 JEFF

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2010, 04:38:06 PM »
Dave

I thought that was a secret not to be shared.

Like Jason said mount it now and use the old one as a spare.

Good luck Jeff

Offline Rosscoe

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2010, 05:59:59 PM »
Good deal David! Nice to have back up power. Why dont you just slide your current one over and slap the new one next to it?! :P
Ross
61 Surflite 1964 90HP Johnson project
67 V163 Bayflite Super Sport  1989 100HP Merc
67 V164 Bayflite 120HP
67 V174 Crestflite Rat Rod
71 V175 Crestflite 350ci -Jet
73 GT 160
84 CVX 17  83 115 Merc
88 CVX-23 350 Mag

Offline V153

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2010, 06:29:16 PM »
CHEATER!!! (Some people'll do anything to win ...)  Heh heh heh

Way to go David! Yeah I'm with everybody else: Mount that puppy & lets have at it?

'81 C500_given away, bought back_75.1 mph
'81 Baja 15SS_140 Frankenrude_66.7 mph
'70 something SpeedCraft_(Allison 16R Clone)_69.0 mph
'79 CVZ19_given away
'71 V153_54.8 mph_wrecked


WALK TALL AND CARRY A BIG BILGE PUMP

Offline Rich_V174SS

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2010, 06:42:48 PM »
If I'm not mistaken that "oil injection" is actually nothing of the sort. It's a device Mercury referred to as "Autoblend" which adds the oil to the fuel in the fuel hose that goes to the engine, there's no real injection or mechanism that takes place in the engine itself. I've never seen one in operation and from what I understand most people just remove it and pre-mix their gas in the tank.

I too will be after Doug's record, I've got something special planned for my boat to boost its power!  ;)
1967 V174 Crestflite SuperSport Modified
1987 Mercruiser 190 3.7LX/Alpha One

1970 V176 Swinger
1983 Mercury 115

Offline David CVX-16

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2010, 08:56:49 PM »
I intend to disconnect the oil injection system even though the past owner said it the unit performed okay. Heard too many stories of the oil injection system failing and then the engine ruined. Does anyone know at what hole setting the engine can be mounted on the transom?  I believe there are 4 holes. How high can the horizonal cavitation plate be above the bottom of the hull? Also will experiment with props with the engine mounted higher on the transom, perhaps a 22" Laser II or a 23" 2-blade bronze.

Used the new GPS to record the car trip to look at the motor today - max speed was 88 MPH.
« Last Edit: December 06, 2010, 07:15:13 PM by David V-153 »
David
87' CVX-16, 85' 115 HP Johnson, 58.8 MPH GPS w/ 23" SRX Prop

Offline Glastron_GT160

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2010, 11:00:10 PM »
Woohoo  Congrats David!

You'll notice a significant improvement in performance with that motor, both from a power standpoint and a control standpoint.  The integral trim will be your new best friend.   Toss the Autoblend to the curb and use premix like you always have.

I think 15% HP gain at the prop is conservative...   moving from my '72 to the '84 115 was a very noticable for me.

I had mine mounted flush with the keel, and if I had the intitiative I would have much prefered 1" above especially with the Laser II and the Ballistic props.  Just keep an eye on your water pressure of course.

So excited for you.  Hope it works out.

Offline CVX Fever

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2010, 12:01:09 PM »
David I agree w/other comments that you should use your current motor as a back-up and put that motor on your boat. I know you well enough though to understand that you need to get it up to your standards, both mechanically and comsetically, before it would ever be allowed to hang off the transom of your V-153! ;)
1979 CVX18 "Back in Black"....someday!
1985 CVX18 " Only thing better than 2 CVX18's is 2 girlfriends!

Offline Jason

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2010, 12:20:08 PM »
Why dont you just slide your current one over and slap the new one next to it?! :P

That's the best idea yet!
Jason S.
1974 Glastron Carlson CV16SS 140 I/O
1986 Glastron Carlson CV23 260 I/O

Offline V153

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2010, 04:16:50 PM »
Does anyone know at what hole setting the engine can be mounted on the transom?  I believe there are 4 holes. How high can the horizonal cavitation plate be above the bottom of the hull?
I'd say at least an inch for starters, even 1 1/2". I'm at 2 1/4". But if I run hard when the weather's hot & the water's real warm I do get the occasional high temp alarm. An inch or so oughta be no problem.

PLEASE consider picking up a Bobs 'True Tracker'. Great product! Dollar for dollar the best performance investment I ever made. It works extremely well on this hull.

Here's a graph that might answer some of your motor height questions. In my case at least it's fairly accurate:

'81 C500_given away, bought back_75.1 mph
'81 Baja 15SS_140 Frankenrude_66.7 mph
'70 something SpeedCraft_(Allison 16R Clone)_69.0 mph
'79 CVZ19_given away
'71 V153_54.8 mph_wrecked


WALK TALL AND CARRY A BIG BILGE PUMP

Offline V153

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2010, 04:30:19 PM »
My beloved True Tracker:
'81 C500_given away, bought back_75.1 mph
'81 Baja 15SS_140 Frankenrude_66.7 mph
'70 something SpeedCraft_(Allison 16R Clone)_69.0 mph
'79 CVZ19_given away
'71 V153_54.8 mph_wrecked


WALK TALL AND CARRY A BIG BILGE PUMP

74 Carlson

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2010, 05:30:26 PM »
Very nice! Your old cowlings will fit right on there! Kind of a sleeper. If ya need help shoot me a call.

Offline David CVX-16

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2010, 07:44:01 PM »
My present 115 HP mercury still has the hesitation upon acceleration and that should be fixed before a switch of motors.

Steve A, what is your motor height set at? What year is your 115 Mercury? Do you use your Mercury oil injection, or have you disconnected it. What is your GPS speed on the 16' CV? How did a Mercury Laser II work on your setup? What is the pitch of the Laser II?

Doug, thanks for the motor height charts. With the 2-blade bronze props I run now, they can lose bite for periods of time, and get the bite back by trimming the motor in or backing off on the throttle - actually fun to lose bite, like losing traction with a car. I have a water pressure gauge presently, and when elevating the height of the motor, would require a carefull and constant watch of the PSI water gauge. Your audible warning would be nice, but I do not think Mercury has it.

I switched from a 80 HP Mercury to the present 115 HP Mercury back in 1987 and enjoyed doing it, but it took alot of time.

Thanks for all the valuable feedback. I am already putting into place some of the items needed to make a possible switch next year.

The idea about the two motors mounted side by side on the transom - I don't know. With the added horsepower of the newer 115 HP Merc on the 630 pound Glastron V-153, one motor may be all I can handle. 



« Last Edit: December 07, 2010, 06:50:41 AM by David V-153 »
David
87' CVX-16, 85' 115 HP Johnson, 58.8 MPH GPS w/ 23" SRX Prop

Offline Jason

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2010, 10:17:48 PM »
I am already putting into place some of the items needed to make a possible switch next year.


YAY!!
Jason S.
1974 Glastron Carlson CV16SS 140 I/O
1986 Glastron Carlson CV23 260 I/O

Offline GIL_CV21

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #15 on: December 07, 2010, 03:53:03 PM »
Dave congrats on the tower purchase , you will be very happy with it , i had a 87 115 on my GT160 with a 21 ballistic on it and the autoblend disconnected . if i didnt sell her this past summer Doug would have been looking at the back end of my boat heh heh heh . im kinda in a gray area now, i have a Cv21 im redoing but when im done i dont know if i'll be allowed to take a wack at Dougs speed lol . i dont know if you saw this video but here is my GT160 with me and my son staying in front of another GT160 with a OMC 140 single rider  (no offence Glenn it was a blast ) .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9yLe6F9FfU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmLgnLshkSo

Offline David CVX-16

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #16 on: December 07, 2010, 09:39:08 PM »
Gil, I had a chance to see your videos. Don't those full speed runs send a rush of adrenaline through the head? When I followed your project and your website, I was saddened that you sold the boat and motor. What was your speed and what was the elevation of the motor?

I tested props one afternoon with Gregg on the St. Croix using his GPS. The results were roughly 49 MPH with a 20" Laser II, 51 MPH with a 21" Ballistic stainless steel, and 52.9 MPH with a cupped 2-blade bronze Mercury Quicksilver turning about 5,400. I do not know what the redline is with a 1988 115 HP Mercury, but would guess around 5,500.

My present props may be okay to keep the RPM's within limits with the new motor, but with the motor elevated and with the additional 20 horsepower, I am prepared to go to a 22" or 23" prop. Ballistic makes a 22" and 23" stainless, the Quicksilver 2-blade bronze comes in 23", 2-blade Hi-Performance Mercury bronze in 22" and the Laser II comes in 22". Beyond that Powertech, Turbo, Chopper, and others may have something that will work.

Similiar video as yours with my boat, even the motors sound alike.

http://tinypic.com/player.php?s=4&v=2u70d2d

Right now with the cold weather it seems so far removed from a sunny, warm boating day.  
« Last Edit: December 07, 2010, 10:02:41 PM by David V-153 »
David
87' CVX-16, 85' 115 HP Johnson, 58.8 MPH GPS w/ 23" SRX Prop

Offline GIL_CV21

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #17 on: December 08, 2010, 06:26:03 PM »
i had the cav plate just at one inch above the keel . the best i got on my gps was 54 mph but i know i would have done more if i had the nerve to keep on it . i needed to adjust the rigging, it was pretty sloppy which brought on some serious chine walk . Gil

74 Carlson

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #18 on: December 09, 2010, 07:47:52 PM »
I think 1989 was the last year for the inline 6. Mine is an 1988 and The first thing I did was 86 the auto blend oiling system didn't even think twice about it. I got her sitting right on the transom because I'm looking for all around performance. Run only non oxygenated premium, spinning a 21p rapture and I'm side by side with Brian B. His cvx20 gps out at 57mph. We found smoother water at one time and I just barely just by a little bit pulled on him but not by much. The hole shot is increidable' have not lost to another boat yet. Notice I said yet! Lol. Max Rpm is at 5500 rpms. Run no hydro foil (had one on it when I got the motor and that got 86 to with the auto blend) I would like to try one of those true trackers but I don't want to buy one and find out I don't like it. This coming spring David we will get the oulder tower dialed in. I did try a 20 1/2p lazerII but didn't like it, I'm not a fan of the lazerII except on I/O's the work good.

Offline David CVX-16

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Re: Tower of Power Backup Insurance
« Reply #19 on: December 09, 2010, 09:04:33 PM »
Steve, thanks for the information. I think I will start with the motor 1 - 1 1/2 inches above the transom. Is the transom bolt pattern the same on the 1988 as the 1974?  The Laser II is meant for elevated motor heights. With the motor sitting on the transom there is alot of torque pull and the speed is not great (Lazer II on my boat was 49 MPH vs. 53 MPH with the 2-blade bronze.) But several people have had success with the Lazer II when the motor is raised, such as Tom from the Twin Cities running 24" Lazer II on 16' CVX at a little over 60 MPH, Kip had one on his 2004 115 HP Merc ( we were running about the same speed), and, I believe Gray had one on his 16' CVX running pretty fast. I may at least try one out again.  

I am still trying to figure out why your Rapture works on your boat but not on mine. I bought a 21" Rapture years ago, tryed it, did not work, and promptly sold it.

    
David
87' CVX-16, 85' 115 HP Johnson, 58.8 MPH GPS w/ 23" SRX Prop