Should we allow oilers in the IMPBA sport tunnel class?

[Mike Byer]

I'd think that all the lines on the os should be in the proper places to be stock apearing, not have one running up under the cowl of the boat.

 

[topfuel443]

I can see the argument either way, just proving that the rules are far from 'perfect'. Nothing in the rules say the hoses must be hooked up as from the factory, and the oiler resevoir isnt hooked to the engine. I dont run a hose on my OS because I squirt oil in the nipple (similar to what you do).

 

[Ron Olson]

I'd think that all the lines on the os should be in the proper places to be stock apearing, not have one running up under the cowl of the boat.

Agreed.

OK, I haven't run outboards in a long time and I went a long time on my K&B OB's before changing flex cables. I don't see how the burnt oil coming from the muffler on the OS can really help a lot as it doesn't or can't lube the entire cable. Keep the cable lubed like it should be and there shouldn't be an issues during a heat.

Stock purists will say that you can't even change the silicone water line coming off the water pick-up tube to the head so why would adding a separate oiler be legal?

Now, if you want to go the other way, about the only place in the IMPBA where you'll see stock engines running is in the Internat's. Usually at the district level you'll see stockers running with the mod motor boats.

 

[topfuel443]

Agreed.

OK, I haven't run outboards in a long time and I went a long time on my K&B OB's before changing flex cables. I don't see how the burnt oil coming from the muffler on the OS can really help a lot as it doesn't or can't lube the entire cable. Keep the cable lubed like it should be and there shouldn't be an issues during a heat.

Stock purists will say that you can't even change the silicone water line coming off the water pick-up tube to the head so why would adding a separate oiler be legal?

The OS system works ok, certainly better than nothing. It sends spent oil into the top of the flex shaft (pressurized) and also into the prop shaft, so it does indeed lube the whole thing (in theory). Squirting oil on the cable before a heat helps, but that oil doesnt stay in long, certainly not for the whole heat. If anyone is still using grease on a .21 size engine, shame on them.

Again, the word STOCK is not anywhere in the IMPBA sport tunnel class rules. Using this word gives the wrong impression to those not familiar with the class or the rule.

Now, if you want to go the other way, about the only place in the IMPBA where you'll see stock engines running is in the Internat's. Usually at the district level you'll see stockers running with the mod motor boats.

Seriously? There is no such thing as a "stock" tunnel class in IMPBA. The internats sport tunnel class is about as far away from a true box stock engine as you can get. Same with the Tunnel Champs. There are a few guys who run truly stock engines with good results, noone is disputing that, but it doesnt have to be stock. They just choose to run it that way for simplicity sake. Thats fine and good.

Here is the ENTIRE IMPBA sport rules section copy and pasted directly from the online rule book below. Just so everyone on here is on the same page.

Sport Outboard Tunnel Rules Engine and Hull Specifications 

1. There shall be one engine class, Class B.

2. The Sport outboard class shall use tunnel boats only.

3. The Sport outboard tunnel class shall not lock down the engine or use any

auxiliary steering system.

4. Original carb bore and exhaust configuration will be retained as

manufactured. No modification to the carb bore or exhaust outlets will be

allowed.

5. No high performance exhaust systems (tuned pipes) will be allowed, even if

they are offered by the manufacturer of the engine. Clarification: the two outlet exhaust / muffler chambers offered by K&B and O.S. are not considered tuned pipes and will be allowed in the Sport outboard tunnel class.

 

 

 

Engine Specifications

 

1. Engines must be standard factory production with a minimum of 100 units available for sale to the general public. To be eligible for the International Regatta the engines must have been offered for sale to the general public not less than ninety (90) days prior to that year's International Regatta.

2. The powerhead and lower unit must be of the same manufacturer and model.

3. The engine external parts shall remain as originally manufactured within series except as shown in Part 4. Clarification: No water-cooled engine parts shall be used with air-cooled engine parts. Common engine parts that are used on both engines mode ls may be interchanged. Slide valve exhaust adapters may not be used with carburetor equipped engines.

4. The following exceptions will be allowed in the Sport Outboard Tunnel

specifications.

a. Adhesives (loctite), set screws and jam nuts.

b. Any carb linkage arms.

c. Any motor mount.

d. Any glow plug, fuel brand and mixture.

e. Any type steering arm.

f. Any flywheel nut.

g. The lower unit below the cavitation plate may be trimmed, sharpened

or polished. No material shall be added to the lower unit.

h. Adjustable mixture controls will be allowed, however the original

needle valve must remain in its original position.

 

Sport tunnel engine inspection procedures

 

The maximum carb bore and exhaust outlet bore size shall not exceed 0.320 inches. These may be checked with a 'GO, NO-GO' gage or dial calipers.

Note: It will be the contestant’s responsibility to check and verify carb bore and exhaust outlet bores prior to the contest. Any infraction concerning the carb or exhaust bore sizes will result in immediate disqualification from the contest.

 

[Ronald van Essen]

To add to the discussion, I just installed a 3rd channel operated motor mount that works extremely well. I can adjust the angle on the fly or trim very small amounts of positive or negative as the race water changes. To me, that is a clear advantage to the guy who cant do that. BUT, its perfectly legal according to the IMPBA sport rules. I can also run a 3rd channel needle, any prop I want, any fuel, any plug etc. These are all things that could have a speed advantage over the next guy.

The oiler, IMHO, adds nothing other than prolonging cable life during a race.

To bring it all together, there is no reason NOT to allow an oiler other than it not being written in the rules that it is legal.

~James

I agree here fully.

Ronald.

 

[LarryConrad]

My oiler sits in my starter box, Its an oil can from the hardware store. I oil the shaft between rounds with castor oil. OS engines running the factory configuration have the shaft oiler built in, The exhaust feeds it oil from two different locations. The later K&B's had a hole drilled in them to oil the shaft. Less is more...The less stuff hanging off the back of the boat to get messed up when you blow off, the more fun you can have just running the boat.

 

[TUNLBOTR]

Once a year we get in this discussion on "stock' vs "sport" and the basic division is affiliations I.E. IMPBA vs NAMBA. We don't need a claim rule on motors, but a serious consideration would be to find "common ground" as to defining the little nuances and to make one legal in the other. Keeping 2 different motors around for the sake of one class needs to be the addressed issue. National Outboard Directors will be together this weekend (If Chris makes it) from both Sanctioning bodies..... B) Great topic once again.

Randy

 

[moparbarn]

i love it, randy!! "artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity" - I WIN :lol: :lol:

 

[Scott Wadlow]

I have been following this post from the start and it is a great post. Personally it makes no difference to me of my competitors run a oiler or not as there is no performance advantage. We run a third channel needles and that is certainly not stock and definitely a performance advantage. I would propose letting the oilers be added but cant be mounted directly to the lower unit and modification of the lower unit should be aloud only to accept the line coming from the oil resivoure. I oil my shaft before every run and it really is no different if you fill the resivoure or just squirt oil directly into the lower unit. Just my 2 cents!!!

 

[engineman351]

If in theory there is no performance advantage I don't see any thing wrong with allowing oilers.

I do have some questions on how an oiler is 'added'. I take it from some of the discussion above that some oilers are resevoir types that gravity feed or maybe even have a pressure line to help feed the oil. I have seen some K&B air cooled's that have a 'tap' off the crankcase mount boss that have been tubed to the lower unit. Is that just as effective? Also, concerning the aircooled engines I have heard arguments that there is enough oil blowing thru the crankshaft & PTO bearings to keep the shaft lubed up. I haven't had a K&B apart in a while, but I thought there was a seal on the front bearing. Comments?

 

[Tunnelbill]

Sorry, :blink:

 

[user 115]

No.

 

[topfuel443]

Come on Charlie... Try to keep the discussion to a minimum please.

(Where you been hiding?)

~JAMES

 

[Mike Byer]

And could I run a Geraghty carb on mine?

mb

 

[GeorgeThomas]

I am like most of the others. I do not see where running a oilier on a engine is anything more then someone trying to save a buck. It's not like they are using some high performance part here we are talking about a small bottle of oil. My Vote is yes use the oil if you feel it will help save a part from braking.

 

[topfuel443]

And could I run a Geraghty carb on mine?

mb

What does this have to do with the subject at hand Mike?

As long as the bore remains the same and the carb is OEM for that engine, then sure you can run it regardless of who puts their 'name' on it. If you dont like those constraints, feel free to submit your own proposal.

I can respect you opinion on this, no problem. However, If you have a vested interest in this proposed change, be sure to send in your vote when the time comes.

 

[Mike Byer]

And could I run a Geraghty carb on mine?

mb

What does this have to do with the subject at hand Mike?

As long as the bore remains the same and the carb is OEM for that engine, then sure you can run it regardless of who puts their 'name' on it. If you dont like those constraints, feel free to submit your own proposal.

I can respect you opinion on this, no problem. However, If you have a vested interest in this proposed change, be sure to send in your vote when the time comes.

Just tought I'd ask as long as Bill wanted to go to a non oe adjustable needle, thought I'd toss that out there in a good natured way. I have an interest in this, I'm a tunnel boat racer, the rules on this class are just fine the way they are. Looks like a change just for the sake of change to me.

 

[Tunnelbill]

And could I run a Geraghty carb on mine?

mb

What does this have to do with the subject at hand Mike?

As long as the bore remains the same and the carb is OEM for that engine, then sure you can run it regardless of who puts their 'name' on it. If you dont like those constraints, feel free to submit your own proposal.

I can respect you opinion on this, no problem. However, If you have a vested interest in this proposed change, be sure to send in your vote when the time comes.

Just tought I'd ask as long as Bill wanted to go to a non oe adjustable needle, thought I'd toss that out there in a good natured way. I have an interest in this, I'm a tunnel boat racer, the rules on this class are just fine the way they are. Looks like a change just for the sake of change to me.

James,

I'm sorry, back to the questions asked.

Thanks,

MTB