Re: Clinton Chief 350

[frankr]

Back in the early 1950’s, there were 3 main contenders in the 4-stroke lawn mower engine field. Briggs & Stratton, Clinton and Lawson. While B&S probably outsold them all, Clinton was considered by many to be a better engine. By and by, Clinton came out with two-stroke engines, primarily used for chainsaws. The Clinton outboard was an outgrowth of the chainsaw. I suppose they were "ok" for their purpose. But this area being a salt water market, people bought them thinking they would avoid the salt water problem. Not so, they were cooled by blowing that salt air down over the engine for cooling, and lots of corrosion problems appeared. Not only that, like the Eskas, they had a crappy water pump to cool the exhaust. And when that crappy pump crapped out, the powerhead still got hot, as if it were sitting on a hot stove.

So, if you want a chainsaw on a outboard lower unit for fresh water, give it a shot.

BTW, don’t think of today’s chainsaws when thinking of 1950’s chainsaws. No comparison. The old ones were heavy, clunky and slow by comparison. But yep, they did cut trees.