Starting an Old 6 Pot Graymarine

Well I now have a spark just needed a good clean up have not got it running yet just to kick a few times I was so close, these old 6 pots run a battery down real quick when cranking here over.

SUNAPEE CROW wrote: Dumb move!! you should have stayed with 6 V or made the change to 12V.One or the other, they can't coexist!!

Rick.
Dumb? Why do you say that? Could it be possible that Roger is just using the 12 volt to see if the engine will run? If you read his post, he's got a ballast resistor feeding the coil!!!

"Coexist"? They can and it's done all the time! FYI, on a 12 volt conversion from a 6 volt, the only major component that needs to be converted is the generator. Gauges will read only slightly off since 99% of them are dual coil. Starter is fine. Bulbs do need changing. Ballast resistor added.

Being blunt here, you calling someone "dumb" is pretty bold since you may not know the full story and it sounds like you do not know what's involved in the conversion.

Quite common to use 2 6v batteries in an old boat, systems are run off and charged @ 6v by the gen but the batteries are tied together and the second battery is used for 12V starting only. Problem with it is only the 6v battery in circuit with the gen gets charged. Most that do this put a trickle charge on the second battery when the boats not being used.

No worries Rick, this what I did to get her running.

I unseized the engine by mixing Diesel white spirit and mentholated spirit and poured it into the plug holes and let it soak for a few days each day would give it a try with a big monkey wrench on the end of the crank.
All I have done is stripped down both carbs and fuel pump and cleaned, cut off all old wiring and wired to run off a 12v battery put a ballast in-between to the coil 2 new spark plugs and fitted a outboard fuel tank,(thanks Billy for the tip) cleaned up all the points, plugs ect.

There is a knack to starting her you have to get the choke just right, Hats off to you guys not many engines would run like this after a few decades left to seize up, enjoy your heritage.

6 pot Graymarine Running.

Nice work getting it started Roger. It's amazing how much abuse these engines can take and just tick over after 20 years of sitting.

At the factory I work at there are a bunch of guys that work on older John Deere tractors. I've seen seized engines loosened up just the way you did it, running on the farm a week later. 12 volt conversions, 6/12 volt hybrids, diesels with pony engine startup, it's just fun to watch them run. They are built so strong, low rpm, nothing seems to stop them, just like your Gray.

I wonder if 45 years from now anyone will be saying "those old efi Chevy's, you just can't kill them, they can sit for decades and start right up". I doubt it will be so easy to get a 2010 engine running in 2055 as it its to get a 1965 engine running in 2010.

Do you have plans for the engine? What was rated power for that Gray? What year?

63 Skier wrote: Do you have plans for the engine? What was rated power for that Gray? What year?

David, She a 136hp Gray and as you can see hope to build a brother.

This is the engineering that built your country and made to last no matter what.

As with our country a big mistake to out source abroad for a fast buck,It can be done look at Germany high living standards and now on the up because they still make things.

Roger.