Bearcat #6 arrives home

[Super Sportster]

My#4 Homelite deal turned sour, as it was to be a runner which it is but they negected to tell me the lower unit was blown. The engine itself runs great. So in my search for a lower unit I got a call from a fellow less than five miles from my house who had a Bearcat. I bought #6. The old story was it ran when I parked it 4 to 6 years ago. It's been stored inside, turns over, and the gearbox seems smooth and it shifts. We'll find out shortly whether she runs or not. Never thought I run across one of these, naturally I had to have it!!!!

[Super Sportster]

It's funny too when things start to go south how the dirt starts coming out. We'd discussed the shipping, I agreed to a pallet and some straps. His shipper didn't like that and wanted a crate. He couldn't find anyone to do that, wanted my help. I found someone to build it, told him $150 should cover materials and labor. When I realized this box couldn't be built at 20lbs things went south quickly. I have been accused of: (1) trying to get more $$ out of him, (2) I should have paid for the crate, (3)In his exact words: This deal is a very good return on your investment (I guess that's why I should have paid for the crate??), you get the idea. I found this offensive and ended the deal with the return of his deposit.

Items like this I refuse to sell on ebay, if you want it get your butt over here and check it out, hear it run, make your decision what ever it may be then live with it. I'm sure after he would have received it he would find some reason to say he got screwed, I don't need the games. If I keep it so be it, it really doesn't matter to me.

[Helmar]

Ah, another reason I don't eBay things, Unless, they fit in one of the Postal Boxes.

Sorry it went south, I am sure others would be interested in it.

[Super Sportster]

Pending sale dead

Dead deal, had a deposit and returned it. Seems he didn't understand "pickup only" and "I don't crate and ship". Sure if a shipper showed up at my door to collect it, I don't have a problem, yes I would have strapped to a pallet as he requested. Seems his shipper wanted it crated. I told him I'd hire a guy to crate it for an additional $150. The box was to be 1/2 plywood approx 64"x35"x24". The whole package ready to ship was to weigh 300lbs, the engine itself weighing in at 279lbs. I don't know what kind of plywood they have in the UK but there's no way this 1/2" plywood box this size was coming anywhere near 20lbs. I couldn't get it through his head that the box would weigh in closer to 60lbs and that was the deal killer. Oh well!

[Helmar]

Way cool.
I am sure they are nice to have, touch, feel, but as long as you have pictures of it, that works too.
At least you Had one

[Super Sportster]

Sale Pending

My Bearcat 85 experience is coming to an end. I've had an offer for it that I can't turn down, the Coventry-Climax will be returning to it's homeland in the UK. I have to say it's challenging engine and enjoyed my brief experience with it. I really liked the power it has but with it's quirks it's handful and in reality I don't need it. The Bearcat 55 is by far a much better engine. In mechanically sound condition and properly tuned it's hard to beat, it's big brother isn't in the same class for reliability and durability in my opinion. I'll miss owning it but won't miss it's quirks, I enjoy working on them and still have several 55's to keep me busy. Maybe the next project will be duel 55's!
Merry Christmas to all!

[Super Sportster]

Louvers

For practical reasons I had to modify the hood. It now idles nicely with the hood on at 600rpm which is within the spec's of the engine, so it's now doing everything I wanted it to do. The louvers seem to look clean, the holes are 2".
I think I'm done!

[Super Sportster]

Well it will do what I want it to do, we trolled for four hrs at 400rpm and caught a limit of trout. Two of us in the boat, top speed 32 mph at 3800 rpm. There's just one problem, had to troll with the hood off. Even on the high idle lever with it at 1200 rpm you could here the rpm increase when I pulled the hood. Too little clearance between the carbs and the hood. Now what?????

[Super Sportster]

Trolling with the 85 Sunday

The 85 seems to be idling consistently at 550rpm so we're taking it fishing in the morning. Shot a little video, camera sure picks up everything so you can't really hear the real sound of the engine but you can see on the tach what it's running at and it had been doing that for over two hrs. Steady and consistent, we'll know tomorrow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3AVjvnFQDE

Yup! It's there all right. Imagine that. In the engine section!
Thanks. Now to go get an oil pressure gauge. Good idea. B

[Super Sportster]

Barry,
Joe put in an engine section at the top of boat restoration which is where I posted that. This (I hope) will get you to my instructions: http://www.classicboatclub.com/forum...ead.php?t=1089

Dick

I know I read somewhere on here that you posted the steps you take to fire up a new (Used) Bearcat. Now that I have a proper test tank I plan to attempt to fire one of mine up this weekend. I cannot seem to find your post. If you remember where it is I'd sure like to know. Thanks.

[Super Sportster]

Lots of improvement.

I love it when everything turns to crap. The o-ring in the fuel line hookup went to crap and was leaking fuel. Fixed that, then the top carb's accelerator pump wasn't working and it was leaking gas, a passage plug must have come loose in the wash yesterday. Made a brass one and fixed that. Finally got it fired off. It idles much better now. My tach/dwell meter died so I can't see where it's idling for sure but I'm in the ballpark of 600rpm. It is much more consistent and smoother than it has been.

[Super Sportster]

More carb problems sloved

After swapping emails with Ed Zogg about the carbs I tore them down again and took his advice on a through cleaning. They went into an ultrasonic bath for several hours. One thing that Ed suggested and another friend also was to check the welsh plugs. Sure as hell one was leaking and it was on the carb that was giving me the most trouble. Carbs are now reassembled and are really clean this time. So maybe I might be able to get closer to a having a consistent idle. I miss the power of the 85 already! I'll fire it up tomorrow again and see if I've made progress.

[Helmar]

Well, I know to check the simple stuff now.
I was chasing my tail with timing stuff and it was Bill that walked up and pointed that out to me, I only had 3/4ths throttle.
Pretty skookum motors for sure