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Kristin:
How much difficulty did your Yamaha mechanic have removing the bolts to expose the water jacket?
I have been told that some of these bolts might break when trying to remove them.
Hey folks, sorry for taking so long to get back here! Phil T, I will try taking off the foil myself this weekend, might end up taking a dip in the canal :) Engine is bolted one hole up per your diagram. That would take it to 2 holes up I gather? A mechanic stopped by the house yesterday (he had just wrapped up a job for a neighbor) and we took it for a spin, he suggested raising the motor one notch. He also thinks that the 2nd cylinder isn't getting enough gas which is why the motor seems to stumble at midrange speeds. I can get the foil off and he's able to swing by and clean the carburetors I will give it a shot this weekend and let you know! Thank for the advice.
docsoma: To my knowledge there wasn't trouble removing them (there was no sign of corrosion on the outside of the jacket cover) but if you'd like I can ask. Only trouble was inside :)
Mechanic came and took the carburetors off for cleaning. He found that there was a missing plug in the second carb that was allowing for fuel to flood in. That, plus the carburetors were tuned to allow for maximum fuel flow. We took it for a test drive yesterday and boat increased in speed from a previous 27mph at 4000rpm to 40mph at 5400 rpm. No stumbling at any rpm -- boat rides comfortably at 13/14rpm now. Yay!
He said not to raise the motor now that he's seen it run. My dad agrees; I am inclined to believe them. What are your thoughts? I am happy to leave it as-is so long as the current prop size/motor level is not going to add undue stress on the motor -- someone had warned me of that before re: prop size.