Old Dolphin Engine 12 HP

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Fender64

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Hi all,

New ( old ) boat and original Dolphin 12HP petrol engine.

hadn;t been started for some time . After fuel change and spark plugs, new batteries she fired up beautifully. The drive belt was missing so run only briefly..

I have a new belt ...Cant work out how to put it on ? Looks like i need to disconnect the drive shaft and stretch it over the flywheel ? Is that right ?

Also.........There is no gearbox and fwd / astern with an engine stop is just about manageable ... When the engine runs..does the prop spin always ..Is this what is described by direct drive ?

Any advice most appreciated !
 
Cant help with the belt, but the original Dolphin had a stop and restart in reverse direct drive option. There should be switching arrangement to stop the engine and restart it in reverse. As one owner put it - "that heart stopping moment before the engine catches in reverse when manoevering" was what put paid to the system: it was too much for most owners, and the engine was revamped with a conventiional FNR gearbox.

They are still in production in Bodmin I believe.
 
Dolphin

I had 2 in a 9 m catalac.No gears . centrifugal clutch as you rev up the clutch bites. The starter is a dynamo only about 60 watts the electrics must be well maintained . The throttle usuall has a center then bac for reverse forward for forward , I think the center was stop.

http://www.dolphinengines.co.uk/

They are 24 volt start and 12 vold run usually the switch box has a set of relays to to do all the switching

2 stroke engines was 50:1 oil mix probably if i remember

we had 6 batteries 2 each engine start and run and then one had a belt driven alternator as well as the dynastart charging the 2 extra batteries for service(lights etc) all 3 pairs were Ideally switchable.
Forget the plug numbers but carry spares until you get to know engine as if not the right number they oil up (esy to fix get a hotter running plug).

I found them very reliable ( the electrics must be well maintained and keep damp free) never failed to start would love to put a pair in our current cat .Very easy to take in and out of the boat as they only weigh 50 odd pds includint the clutch they have a pully on the front to wrap a string starter round if you flatten the batteries, string about 5 foot long !

hope thats of help

Ps most people werent fond but they are so powerfull for their size and I never found a fault
 
They are superb little engines, its like having a smooth turbine under the deck. Very reliable but when you go from ahead to astern make sure to stop it first, going from ahead to astern without stopping has a tendency to cause a violent backfire which may blow the carburettor off!
 
Keith 66 said:
They are superb little engines, its like having a smooth turbine under the deck. Very reliable but when you go from ahead to astern make sure to stop it first, going from ahead to astern without stopping has a tendency to cause a violent backfire which may blow the carburettor off!
Click to expand...

that it just feels like a turbine they run smoother than any other engine ive seen
 
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