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Author Topic:   1997 OUTRAGE 20 with FITCH Engine

Oly31 posted 11-07-2003 03:00 PM ET (US)
I am seriously considering a 1997 OUTRAGE 20 powered with a low hours 1999 Evinrude 175. I'm not sure if more than one model 175 was available in 1999 and the person advertising the boat is a relative of the owner and can't give me any more information for a couple of days.
Any thoughts folks could share with me about the quality of the motor would be greatly appreciated.
FRTDOG540 posted 11-10-2003 07:02 AM ET (US)
Hello,
If it is a '99 Ficht, see if it has pinned heads...The best way to tell, is to look near the sparkplug and see if there is small round hole with a pin going to the cylinder...If it is, that is an updated head and most of the Ficht problems are solved...If its not, you have to change the plugs to the new design and make sure they are indexed...The non pinned heads had a problem with carbon build up and they blew up cylinders...Goto www.boatsetup.com for information on indexing plugs...Best of luck!!
Scott
BarryGreen posted 11-10-2003 02:06 PM ET (US)
I have a 1998 OUTRAGE 20 w/T-top powered by a 1999 175hp Ficht, and find it an excellent combination. Up on plane quickly, well over 40 mph WOT, cruises nicely at 32/33.
If the engine is a Ficht it will (should) say so right on the engine cover. I ran mine for a season before it was updated with the pinned heads, etc. While it ran OK unmodified, it did generate a lot of soot to the point where the whole waterline became black. It also hesitated while getting on plane when the fuel/air mixture changed from laminar to stratified flow, and I suspect reliability problems would have been brewing. Once the upgrade was done that all went away. I now have about 120 hours on it, and it has been absolutely troublefree.
Just take Scott's advice; make sure it has been updated or be prepared to have it done.
Barry
Oly31 posted 11-17-2003 12:02 PM ET (US)
Barry and Scott-
Thanks a lot for your insights. I looked at the boat yesterday and it does have the pinned heads.
Regards,
Mark
jimh posted 11-17-2003 08:19 PM ET (US)
[Administrative post]

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Author	Topic: 1997 OUTRAGE 20 with FITCH Engine
Oly31	posted 11-07-2003 03:00 PM ET (US) I am seriously considering a 1997 OUTRAGE 20 powered with a low hours 1999 Evinrude 175. I'm not sure if more than one model 175 was available in 1999 and the person advertising the boat is a relative of the owner and can't give me any more information for a couple of days. Any thoughts folks could share with me about the quality of the motor would be greatly appreciated.
FRTDOG540	posted 11-10-2003 07:02 AM ET (US) Hello, If it is a '99 Ficht, see if it has pinned heads...The best way to tell, is to look near the sparkplug and see if there is small round hole with a pin going to the cylinder...If it is, that is an updated head and most of the Ficht problems are solved...If its not, you have to change the plugs to the new design and make sure they are indexed...The non pinned heads had a problem with carbon build up and they blew up cylinders...Goto www.boatsetup.com for information on indexing plugs...Best of luck!! Scott
BarryGreen	posted 11-10-2003 02:06 PM ET (US) I have a 1998 OUTRAGE 20 w/T-top powered by a 1999 175hp Ficht, and find it an excellent combination. Up on plane quickly, well over 40 mph WOT, cruises nicely at 32/33. If the engine is a Ficht it will (should) say so right on the engine cover. I ran mine for a season before it was updated with the pinned heads, etc. While it ran OK unmodified, it did generate a lot of soot to the point where the whole waterline became black. It also hesitated while getting on plane when the fuel/air mixture changed from laminar to stratified flow, and I suspect reliability problems would have been brewing. Once the upgrade was done that all went away. I now have about 120 hours on it, and it has been absolutely troublefree. Just take Scott's advice; make sure it has been updated or be prepared to have it done. Barry
Oly31	posted 11-17-2003 12:02 PM ET (US) Barry and Scott- Thanks a lot for your insights. I looked at the boat yesterday and it does have the pinned heads. Regards, Mark
jimh	posted 11-17-2003 08:19 PM ET (US) [Administrative post]