Twin E-Tec 60s ~ Am I using the best props? and plugs? and oil?

[gcmarshall]

I have two 2006 60 HP E-Tecs (installed in Sep 2006) which each currently have on approximately 1200 hours. I change/clean plugs about every month or the engines will cut out.

1) Does anyone else have any problems with having to change their plugs on a regular basis? (I am currently using Champion QC12PEP and will shortly be changing to QC12PEPB)

2) At WOT I get about 5000 rpm on each engine maximum when the water is calm. I am using aluminium props with a 15 pitch. I know the props are supposed to run 5500-6000 rpm at WOT but I am not sure that I should reduce the pitch any further, and I am also not sure what if any advantages are there to be had by this? (I am most concerned with fuel economy)

3) I tend to get quite a bit of salt collecting on the engines under the cowling? does anyone else have this problem?

4) I have been using XD-50 oil but as it costs me $80 US/bottle I am considering switching to Esso aqualube TCW3 oil (which I can get wholesale). SHould this be ok? I am trying to cut down on costs - I currently use about a bottle a month.

A bit of background: The engines are mounted on a 26 ft Bowen Marine Pirogue (built in Trinidad) and it is commercially fished in Barbados. The boat gets about 20 knots at WOT. The boat is probably a bit underpowered but that is due to local horsepower restrictions on outboards in the fishing industry.

thx - Gary Marshall

[johnrude]

Gary im not in the shop today from from the top of my head, I would make sure engine is comming up to proper temp. A cold running engine will affect the live of the spark plugs. We have some inline 3 cylinders on commercial applications where they see 95% of there run time under 1,500 RPM. We have had to install the same cylinder head deflector pins that are used in the 3.3 liter blocks. Im not sure if they can be installed into the inline 2 cylinders. I dont have the specs home but if its a 5500 rpm engine then you do want to downsize your wheels. THis may have something to due with you spark life also. As for standard TCW3 rated oil we have some sand plants that are running the standard XD30 oil there dredge boats and are going on 3 years now with no problems. As for the salt I would pull the lower pans off and start the engines and look for any leaks. Also a transducer that is installed wrong may be spraying water up around the engine cover while running pulling in wet air. I would love to see some picutres of it. Any way you can send me some? If so my email address is barnaclebills@comcast.net