E-TEC vs the others

[ronb]

indexing is also easy (but time consuming) you have 2 methods to chose from.... with either start by drawing a straight line on the spark plug porcelin exactly 180° from the grounding strap.

Now screw the spark plug into the hole,
You should have a guide somewhere that tells you which way the plug should be indexed.

If you get lucky the plug 'just works' if not, try another spark plug.

they are all threaded differently (spark plug holes and spark plug bodies), so one that doesn't work in cylinder 1 may be perfect for 2, 3, or 4 (etc)

the second method would require indexing spacers that would limit how far int he spark plug can be threaded. This will get your spark plug open gap pointed the right direction, but the spark plugs *could* be threaded in to different heights inside the combustion chamber, which I suspect would have a negligible affect on the compression ratio, but you would also have to keep track of index spacers...

If I ever have to do this, I am going to buy a lot of spark plugs (probably 8 for my 3 cyl) and then return the 5 that I don't use. I would use the first method.

-ron

[ScottE]

Wouldn't the sparks plugs be changed and indexed when it's brought in to have it's 3 year maintenance done? The maintenance every 3 years is something I plan on having a professional handle, unless it's ridiculously easy.

[Pammy]

We used to use indexing washers...no big deal.
I would think that indexing washers would be cheaper than spark plugs as well.

[ronb]

Wouldn't the sparks plugs be changed and indexed when it's brought in to have it's 3 year maintenance done? The maintenance every 3 years is something I plan on having a professional handle, unless it's ridiculously easy.

maybe I am skeptical, but if somebody told me that they indexed my spark plugs, I would still pull them out and check them myself. The mechanic is most likely going to screw new plugs into the holes and figure that nobody would ever notice the difference (in a lot of motors nobody does).

I am new to boating/pontooning, just bought my first one this year (used of course) and I plan on having the engine repair facility that replaced my powerhead perform the winterization, unless I find the instructions and as you say, it is ridiculously easy. But it is early in the Summer still so that research is on the back burner.

We used to use indexing washers...no big deal.
I would think that indexing washers would be cheaper than spark plugs as well

But remember I said that I was going to return/refund any unused spark plug, so I would only be purchasing 3 in the end (my Optimax is only a 3cyl). Maybe its because my first car was a '66 Malibu (4dr) with 283/powerglide that required the crush washers, but I have never been a fan of having washers between the spark plugs and the cylinder head, just one more thing to keep track of or cause mis readings in torque values.

-ron

[GregF]

Mercury got away from all of this on the old loop charged 2 strokes by using surface gap plugs.
I really wonder how much difference it actually makes. I do understand that on a 2 stroke it is harder to get a uniform charge in a cylinder than you get with an intake valve or two. You would think the compression stroke would even it out but I guess not.
Was this one of the things they did to fix the ficht problems?

[Pammy]

The surface gap plugs are very expensive. I am guessing that is why they don't come standard. I don't see why, other than the $$, you couldn't use them.

[lakerunner]

I found this on ETec forum about indexing

If the opened end of the electrodes were facing away from the injectors, the spark may be shielded from the fuel spray by the ground electrode and would be harder to ignite the mixture. That may cause hard starting, poor acceleration, and rougher running at the lower speeds.
______

[Bamaman]

Indexing spark plugs is easy, and requires just a Sharpie to mark the spark plug that's being removed. I would put a mark on the insulator on the "up" side before removing it.

You then look at the angle of the old plug's electrode and mark the new plug at the same place and angle as the used plug. When you screw the new plug in, you stop when the Sharpie mark is "up"--at the same position as the old plug. That way, the new plug's electrode is pointing in the proper direction.

I would index the new plug (installed) before removing the next plug.

[DonCabo]

I've owned Merc and Yamaha 4-strokes and now my Evinrude E-TEC.

I'd never go back.

My main reason? I'm lazy: I like to use my boat and there's less maintenance and moving parts on these engines. 3 years is my first maintenance. Then another 3 years. There's some great videos on Youtube.

I particularly like the 2stroke exhaust smell, takes me back to my childhood.

Just as quiet as the guy's Yahama sitting next to me and MUCH smaller in dimensions and lighter in weight.

Adding oil is a breeze for me; my oil tank is on the stern.

If you keep your boat at a marina, one bit of advice, it's handy if that marina is an authorized service center for Evinrude. I have no trailer, so that is a big selling point for me, too.

[tuned]

Personal comparison when I went from Merc115 4 stroke to eTec175:
I gained 20 whole pounds!
Merc was only slightly quieter at idle, very little difference at higher RPMs.
Screwing in the garden hose and then telling the rude to 'winterize itself' was one of lifes greatest joys when I first got to do it. It just said "Yes, Captain" and took care of it.
Between the HP gain and the 2 Stroke 'snort', hole shot was unbelievable.
I am using the synthetic oil. With almost a hundred hours on this summer I have used about a gallon. I am a little leery of the MICROSCOPIC oil lines to each lube point. About a dozen of them a little thicker than a piece of spaghetti. If one were to ever plug up...

Bottom line, there is NO comparison in my mind. Too bad, mine is up for sale as I prepare to build the SouthBay I/O. Back to four stroke for me. Big *ss four stroke

[Bamaman]

I talked with a dealership that's been in business since 1972 when shopping for a new boat. They carry ETEC, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki motors.

They swear by ETEC's on high performance tritoon boats. He says they'll outrun the 4 strokes substantially coming "out of the hole", and they're 3-4 mph faster on top end vs the same hp 4 strokes.

He claims to be neutral, and can sell a customer any motor they want.

They only stock Manitou VP triple hulls with 150 hp motors. Any SHP hull with larger motors are special ordered.