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labrador-guy.
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March 20, 2021 at 8:20 pm #234432
I have a 1956 5.5 I know they tell you to mix 24/1 but just runs to rich would it hurt to run 32/1 mix and still be safe
March 20, 2021 at 8:42 pm #234440Those 5.5s love to throw the lower rod. I wouldn’t run think of running 32/1 and even 24/1 is sketchy. The original service data for that motor actually called for 16/1 and that’s all I use in mine.
Bob
1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1957 Evinrude 3022
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."March 20, 2021 at 9:48 pm #234447Here we go again with a lot of opinions on the subject. I would run 16 to 1, but that’s another can of mixed gas to have around. I use today’s TCW3 rated outboard oil (I think it’s all rated TCW3 now) and for my 24 to 1 and 16 to 1 motors, I mix it at 20 to 1. It’s easy to just dump a quart into a 5 gallon can of gas for 20 1o 1. When your motor was new, your 5.5 (I’m assuming Johnson or Evinrude) also said if you don’t have outboard oil, use SAE 30 weight, non-detergent motor oil, so I figure with today’s better oil, I can get by with 20 to 1. When I put a small motor like that on a hydroplane for my grandkids to run, I double the oil mix to 10 to 1 because the motor runs at a higher RPM than it was designed for on a light little boat like that. So that’s my 2 HP on the subject! No way I’d run 32 to 1.
When you say it runs “too rich” on 24 to 1, what do you mean? What are the symptoms? Your high and low speed carb knobs adjust the lean/rich mixture for optimum performance mixture regardless of the amount of oil – adjust the low speed knob with the motor in gear with it idleing. Adjust the high speed knob with the motor on a boat at wide open throttle for max speed – you can hear the difference. If your spark plugs are fouling with black or wet oily deposits, try a hotter heat range plug. Heat range is all about the temp of the spark plug tip to keep plugs clean. If you are running Champion J6J plugs that need frequent cleaning, try J8J plugs.
Dave-
This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by
outbdnut2.
March 21, 2021 at 4:47 am #234467Run it on the recommended 16:1 and you’ll sleep good at night!
March 21, 2021 at 5:50 am #234468I vote for 16:1. Yes, it will smoke a bit but if it’s “just too rich,” then either there is a mechanical problem, adjustment problem or maybe you just need an electric motor. Maybe a 4 stroke, if you don’t mind how they sound. I think the small four strokes have a disagreeable, harsh sound. Or get a later 6 hp, that has different bearings and will tolerate 50:1.
Long live American manufacturing!
March 21, 2021 at 8:32 am #234472The amazing thing about those old 5.5s is that they don’t smoke much when properly tuned, even at the 16:1 oil mix ratio. Sure, they will smoke when you first start them, just like most other two strokes. I would not mix at lighter ratios, regardless of the improvements found in today’s TCW3 outboard oils. Like everyone says, this engine has plain rod bearings, that love to fail due to lack of enough oil or water intrustion….
March 22, 2021 at 8:31 pm #234652Is synthetic oil ok to run in older 1950s outboards
March 22, 2021 at 8:33 pm #234653What about synthetic oil ok to run in 1957 outboards, evinrude.
March 22, 2021 at 9:08 pm #234655James,Yes synthetic is the BEST to use in any two cycle. The worst is automotive oils. Automotive oils cause carbon to build up and that can plug ports and cause problems. Synthetic is also better for the environment. Keep the fishes happy!
dale
“Pair up in threes” YB
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