Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by rfuerst911sc on 03/02/13 - 12:44 PM

I am making the fuel line to go from my 6 gallon Chrysler portable fuel tank to the 1987 Johnson outboard. I'm using 3/8 rubber fuel line. I'm also going to install an inline filter. So should the fuel filter be before or after the primer bulb ? And if the fuel line is going to be 6-7 foot long should the primer bulb be closer to the tank or the outboard ? Does it matter ? My rig did not come with any fuel tanks/lines so this is all new to me. Any help is appreciated.

Posted by Bake on 03/02/13 - 12:56 PM

Put it up by the motor. It will pull the gas up no problem and it will be easy to get to. And I don't think it would matter where you put the filter. Again back by the motor would make it easy to see.

Posted by Tom W Clark on 03/03/13 - 10:36 AM

I would discourage you from using a filter for a little portable tank on a 13 footer with a 30 HP motor. It is not necessary. The motor itself has a small inline filter in it under the cowl. If you are concerned about the quality of the fuel, filter it as you fill the tank. We are only talking about 6 gallons after all.

The theory is that the closer to the motor, the better, for the primer bulb, but again, we are talking a 6 gallon portable tank. As a practical matter, it will not make a lick of difference where you put the primer bulb. The 6 gallon tank I use with my old Johnson portable has the primer bulb at the tank itself, as all the manufacturers do with their small portable tanks. My hose if 15' long. My motor couldn't care less.

Posted by Bake on 03/03/13 - 11:34 AM

Putting it by the motor makes it easier to get to if your outside the boat too. When i say outside the boat i think of running the motor on a hose for a flush, Not out of the boat in the Water.

Posted by rfuerst911sc on 03/03/13 - 12:52 PM

I was planning on installing a see through inline fuel filter, my thought process is the fuel can't be too clean for a carburetor. Maybe not needed ? I already bought it so can't hurt to install it. I will place the primer bulb 18 - 24 " from the outboard, the filter closer to the tank. So do some of you run the canister style fuel filter/water separator filters for small hp outboards ?

Posted by Tom W Clark on 03/03/13 - 1:16 PM

...it so can't hurt to install it.

Well, maybe not, probably not, but you have two more connections that need to be air tight. Air leaks in fuel hoses in not an uncommon source of serious powerhead damage. If the hoses is clamped properly at both ends of the filter, there will not problem but as time goes on, be sure to inspect those connections.

I prefer to keep things simple. Fewer connections, fewer chances of connection failure.

A small inline filter can also offer some fuel flow resistance that the motor's fuel pump needs to overcome. Again, shouldn't be a problem, but it adds to the fuel pump's load.

Posted by Derwd24 on 03/03/13 - 1:39 PM

If you haven't come across this already, use only an OEM primer bulb as the quality is much better than the aftermarket bulbs. And when priming, especially from dry, the bulbs tend to work best when held vertical so that the arrow points upwards.