Stuart Turner Engines

[Frithcot]

I have recently aquired a 20' yole with a 5 hp Stuart Turner 2 stroke inboard. I am unable to run it at the moment as my boat is on a reservoir but I plan to sail her on the coast shortly. I have been told the engines can be unreliable, is this true and has anyone any tips for their safe running?
Tony

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[DanTribe]

Dear sufferer
I spent many years swearing at various Stuart 5hp's. It was a blessed day when I finally admitted defeat & installed a diesel.
One of the main weaknesses is hot starting, caused I believe by poor crankshaft seals losing compression.
Assuming yours is a hand start model with magneto ignition, there is a knack to starting. Get to compression with the handle at about 8 o/c and give a sharp jerk to spin the engine, swear at it and repeat.
One engine I had would only start after flooding the carb [with the little pin on top] and giving a squirt of oil down the plug hole.
The final straw was the cost of obtaining spare parts. For more info contact Fairway Marine @ Maldon Essex
Where are you based?
Dan

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[Mirelle]

You must always have a plug spanner and a couple of spare plugs immediately available (eg just inside the engine box). If the engine is hot, the best way to get it to go (this is mentioned in the Owner's Manual) is to change the plug for a new, cold, one.

There are two variants of the 5hp that I was shipmates with; one has a "sailing clutch" which engages when the engine speeds up beyond idle, but allows the prop to freewheel the rest of the time, and the other is the "tramcar" gear change, which does give you astern.

The exhaust is DRY!! The cooling water, supplied by a piston pump, not a Jabsco type, passes overboard via a small skin fitting in the topsides. It is VITAL to ensure that nothing combustible comes in contact with the exhaust pipe or silencer.

These engines are beautifully made, and by the standards of the 1930s when they were first made they are very reliable.

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[mickshep]

Another good tip is to clean out the silencer as it is a filthy job that is often over looked resulting in poor starting and loss of power, My old 5 tonner had an electric start 8hp which ran flawlessly and still does, a good Stuart turner is a pleasure to own being very quiet and fantastically smooth, as for oiling up, letting the boat idle for ages would cause a little oiling but a burst of throttle quickly cleared it. Personally I believe a lot of bad press about these engines is based on people expecting modern levels of performance out of what is basically a 70 year old design. Looked after or even rebuilt they are fine. Mike.

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[sailorman]

Wot about thr crank shaft / big end nut " thingies". back fire & they go mis-aligned

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[DanTribe]

I never found the cold plug trick worked. I came to believe that the things knew when you really needed them, because that's when they would not go, at other times they would start first tug.
Beutifully made & very reliable are not phrases I've ever heard about the beasts.
Dan

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[sailorman]

they make quite good "sinker" moorings though

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[Peterduck]

Although I've never been shipmates with one of these engines, I've been told that replacement of the original carburettor with an Amal transforms the engine in terms of performance and reliability.
Peter.

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[spark]

My memories of a boat my father had in the 60s/70s with a Stuart Turner are:

Magneto regularly removed and dried out in the bottom oven of the Rayburn stove.

A supply of fresh, dry spark plugs in tobacco tins - replacements for those that stopped sparking after a period of tick-over (e.g. trawling).

Much starting handle cranking and attendant oaths.

I recommend a pair of long, stout oars and a good breakfast.


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[Mirelle]

I agree; we do not expect to bat round the M25 in an Austin Seven and, frankly, how many other 1930's boat engines are still in boats today!

In good condition, a Stewart is a nice little engine.

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[philae44]

I have just removed my 8hp twin stuart from philae in readiness for restoration. This is required due to the engine having been submerged and neglected. I had feared the worst but have found on closer inspection that the damage is not so bad. I myself have no experience of these engines in action and have heard all the horror stories but have to say that they are indeed beautifully made. A level of thought has gone into them that would completely baffle the modern generation. I should also point out that in model engineering circles the name of Stuart Turner is a highly respected one and I would find it hard to believe that they would spoil a good reputation by putting out dodgy engines. I am sure that when rebuilt and properly set up, my engine will give a good account of itself.

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[Frithcot]

Mmmm... I'm not filled with confidence! At least it has an electric start (a dynostart which is also a magneto I believe) so that should reduce the swearing and the oars are good, many thanks all.

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[halcyon]

A Dynostart is a starter motor for starting, once started it becomes a dynomo charging the batteries at around 10 amp.
Magneto is not part of it.

Brian

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[DanTribe]

I wish you joy with your project. If you enjoy working with engines, you'll love the Stuart. I eventually gave up the struggle due to the escalating cost of parts. This was made worse because I have the original parts list priced in £ s&d They seemed to update it by calling the shillings pounds and multiplying by 10. So a 5/- gasket set became about £50.
Re your faith in their model engineering, I believe they also make excellent garden pond pumps, but I wouldn't want to go to sea relying on one of those.
Incidentally if anyone wants a box of assorted P5 parts they are welcome. I have the major parts of 2, P5s, one approx 1937, and one 1960, not complete and fairly scavenged for bits. Also Owners instruction manual.
Dan


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[mirabriani]

I could be wrong but I seem to recall an article in p b o or classic boat suggesting the use of a good coil ignition system to ease starting.
Briani

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[gambrinus]

I have been searching for two parts for my newly acquired P5 me engine built 1954
I have just had it re- built BUT when it was refitted to my boat (this SUNDAY) it was very noisy.
I have just found out that the Collet/cone which is attached to the flywheel is broken! Too much movement to actually use the engine without damage to the crank shaft/case !!!
Can you help??? I also need something called a "key" to go with it!
I am a novice boat owner when has a very old and scruffy boat/ a newly painted engine ST engine that i cant use and mounting bills!
I hope you can help?


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[mirabriani]

Sounds like a woodruff key. Semi circular and fits into a groove in the shaft.
You might try a motorcycle shop, especially one specialising in old british bikes. Or bike jumble
Briani

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[gambrinus]

thanks
I think we have located one thro this web site!
So many kind and helpful people
Liz

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[Mirelle]

Woodruff key

Yes, it is (from memory of 25-odd years ago).

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[trouville]

I had an 8HP with an electric start, it would always start first time on the handel that is unless someone was watching! it would run nicely except when you really needed it like coming in to Honflure or when the wind drops to nothing just far enough from the habour entrance to make rowing to hard and pushing with the dingy and seaguls very slow. I loved my Stuart turner as soon as i changed it for a reliable yanmar! I used to tell everyone what a pity it had gone it was very smooth and quite and 80% of the time worked untill i blow a head gasket i only found the gasket kit 10 years after changing the engin! More romantic than practical today. Though i may still overhall it a put it in an old fishing boat to use on the cannals Perhaps??

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