Home Forum Ask A Member Any love for the Zephyr?

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  • #39292
    1946zephyr
    Participant
      quote Garry in Tampa:

      I have a couple. Very smooth runners. As I recall they sold over over 65 thousand. Actually more than the Johnson TN/TD five horse. But Johnson made more money because twins were easier to build. . . . . 😀

      Plus the fact that the TN/TD would outrun a Zephyr. 😆 😆

      #39293
      1946zephyr
      Participant

        I’ve restored two of them. My first outboard was a 1946 Zephyr.

        #39295
        Buccaneer
        Participant

          US Member

          I ran a couple of Zephyrs on my dad’s leaky old cedar strip boat
          when I was a teenager. I don’t ever remember rowing back home,
          but do remember they could be finicky. I remember vividly
          test running them in the barrel by the garage, having them
          run satisfactorily, carrying them down the hill, mounting on the
          boat, etc., and never getting them to start. Back up the hill
          to the barrel, and started right up!
          I still have said Zephyrs and they are on my "to do" list.
          My mechanic skills have improved since then, but now
          I may need help if I have to carry them up the same hill.

          Prepare to be boarded!

          #39299
          joesnuffy
          Participant

            I love mine I got 3 of them. 2 run and one needs a carb or at least the black plastic butterfly that goes in carb. Maybe someone reading this has a decent carb for one. Here are the 2 I have running. They are smooth running outboards when tuned right and not to bad on fuel consumption.

            Joe

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxQzKCpdkZY

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy9unqSHg-4

            #39301
            Tom
            Participant

              US Member

              I had one years ago with the separate mag and tiller throttle. It would plane a little wood runabout I built. I recently found another one with the coordinated throttle, and went through the mechanics. Except for a little dirt in the tank, it’s a wonderful runner. Warm, it’ll start with a kick of the prop.

              Here are some issues to consider:

              Rebuilding the primer by turning down the plunger rod and replacing the seal with a new part makes a big positive difference in starting it.

              The carb is harder to go through than more common motors, don’t try to force the bakelite part out of the housing. It’ll come out easily if done correctly.

              The mag takes a little time to disassemble, clean, and reassemble. Complete rebuild is worth every second it takes.

              There’s plenty of space to add a fuel filter under the front cover.

              I have the single (Sportsman), twin (Sportwin) and quad (Zephyr) from the same year. They look good together.

              Tom Manley

              #39304
              wyo307
              Participant
                quote joesnuffy:

                I love mine I got 3 of them. 2 run and one needs a carb or at least the black plastic butterfly that goes in carb. Maybe someone reading this has a decent carb for one. Here are the 2 I have running. They are smooth running outboards when tuned right and not to bad on fuel consumption.

                Joe

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxQzKCpdkZY

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy9unqSHg-4

                I have a carb that is in good shape if you are interested. I bought it just for the float needle and the little copper vent tube. Other than that it is complete. PM me for more details or pictures.

                As far as zephyrs go I am still working on my first one, a 1946 model 4378 that is basically identical to the pre war ones. Mag and tiller are separate. Finally got it running decent off of my homemade temporary gas tank so now I need to start putting it back together again. I love the sound of the 4 bangers! I also have a sportsman and a sportwin from the same era. If I get this one done I will be looking for a lightfour to do next.

                #39321
                Buccaneer
                Participant

                  US Member

                  How hard are the Zephyrs (once torn down) to get the little pistons and rings
                  back in the cylinders? I’d like to tear one of mine down to bare bones
                  just for fun and see what makes it tick, but am a little unsure about
                  getting it back together!

                  Prepare to be boarded!

                Viewing 7 posts - 11 through 17 (of 17 total)
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