In the era of rapid development of water-motor technology, Soviet engineers created many samples that still plow the expanses of rivers and lakes. Whirlwind 20The 243 cubic centimeter two-stroke engine, which has become a symbol of reliability and accessibility for thousands of anglers and tourists, is still a popular choice due to its maintainability and simplicity of construction.
Many owners are wondering whether it's worth the time to rebuild or upgrade this unit, and the answer is clear: with the right approach. Whirlwind 20 It can offer many more hours of enjoyable cruising, and its 20 horsepower is ideal for inflatable boats up to 4 meters long and small metal boats.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the technical details, look at the typical malfunctions, and discuss the real-world possibilities of tuning, and learn how to make the most of this time-tested mechanism without resorting to expensive replacements of nodes. K-36 carburetor The ignition system will help you avoid many problems on the water.
Technical specifications and design features
The propulsion system Whirlwind 20 This is a classic two-stroke engine with crank-chamber purges. The displacement of 243 cubic cm is achieved by two cylinders with a diameter of 50 mm and a stroke of a piston of 62 mm. The nominal power is 20 hp at 5000 rpm, which is an excellent indicator for its weight class.
One of the key features of the design is the presence of reverse-reducerThis allows efficient use of propeller traction both forward and rear, and the lubrication system is carried out with a 1:25 benzo-oil mixture, which requires careful attention to the quality of the components used.
The weight of the motor in running order is about 36 kilograms. This is enough for carrying alone, but it is quite acceptable for a stationary installation on a transom. An important parameter is the recommended height of the transom, 380 mm, deviation from this value can lead to cavitation or, conversely, to the discharge of water into the exhaust system.
- 🚀 Engine type: two-stroke, gasoline, carburetor
- ⚙️ Number of cylinders: 2, in-line location
- 💧 Cooling: off-shore water, forced
- ⛽ Fuel tank volume: external, up to 30 liters (standard)
- 🔥 Ignition system: magdino MBE-1B, contact or electronic
It is worth noting that the diameter of the dead-wheel pipe at the vortex 20 is 42 mmThis is a standard size for motors of this class of the period, and it's important to consider this when choosing screws or mounting elements, and the design of the die-wheel device makes it relatively easy to dismantle the propeller for replacement or maintenance.
Ignition system and electrician: modernization and adjustment
The standard ignition system based on magdino MBE-1B Often criticized for an unstable spark at high revs. Many owners experience coil failures or wear of the interrupter contact group, and the solution is to adjust the gap in a timely manner or switch to electronic ignition units.
To improve the stability of the engine, it is recommended to install electronic ignition, for example, from Whirlwind-M This will allow you to forget about cleaning the contacts and adjusting the gap, so that the angle of ignition advance is set so that the spark jumps 3-4 mm before the piston arrives at the upper dead point.
⚠️ Warning: When installing an electronic ignition, be sure to check the polarity of the connection and the reliability of the insulation of high-voltage wires. An improper connection can disable a new unit in seconds.
Ignition plugs require special attention. A11-3 Or their modern counterparts, with a potassium number corresponding to the thermal regime of the engine, the sugar on the electrodes indicates an incorrect mixture or an excess of oil in gasoline.
Use shrinkage on all electrical connections inside the engine compartment, and moisture and salt quickly oxidize open copper, losing contact at the most inopportune moment.
Carburet and fuel system: the secrets of stable operation
The heart of the fuel system is the carburetor. K-36 It's the quality of the engine's tuning that determines the throttle's sensibility and the absence of throttle failures, the main metering system is responsible for full-speed operation, and the idling system is responsible for stability at small gases.
A common problem is clogging of the jelly or wear of the shut-off valve needle, which leads to a fuel overflow. The fuel level in the float chamber must be strictly regulated. To check, remove the bottom cover and measure the distance, which is usually about 13-14 mm from the plane of the connector.
Adjustment of the quality of the mixture is made by a screw located in the lower part of the carburetor. Depleted mix It's dangerous to overheat a piston, and rich pistons can cause power loss and candles to coking, and the perfect color for a candle insulator is brick brown.
☑️ Diagnosis of the carburetor
The fuel hose and pear also require periodic replacement, rubber blubbers and cracks over time, which can lead to air suction or gasoline leakage. Use only gasoline-resistant hoses designed for outboard motors.
Spinning screw and deidwheel device
The efficiency of the motor depends on the state of the propeller. The regular propeller has a pitch of 230 mm and a diameter of 220 mm. However, for heavy boats or vice versa for racing races, the step can be changed. Decrease in pitch increases traction, but reduces the maximum speed.
The dieville device uses a gland seal of the shaft, and when you see a backlash or oil leak, you need to replace the glands. dead-shaftIt does not dissolve in water and can withstand high loads.
| Parameter | Meaning | Admission/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Screw pitch (staff) | 230 mm | Replacement of 200-250 mm is possible |
| Rotor diameter | 220 mm | Standard for Vortex 20 |
| Gap in the gearbox | 0.1.0.2 mm | Regulated by washers |
| Oil in the gearbox | Tap-15B/TC-30 | Volume 0.22 litres |
When driving in shallow water, there is a risk of damage to the blades, in which case the protection system helps - cut pins or a friction clutch (depending on the year of manufacture). Always keep a set of pins in reserve, as their breakage is the normal situation when hitting an obstacle.
Typical malfunctions and methods of their elimination
One of the most annoying problems of the Whirlwind is the strong vibration, which is caused by imbalances in the crankshaft or wear of bearings, sometimes by flowing a flywheel or installing additional counterweights, but it requires a high skill of the master.
Overheating of the engine is often caused by a violation of water circulation, you need to regularly clean the holes in the pump and the dead-wheel pipe from algae and sand. If the engine is running "dry", the piston group can fail in a few minutes.
⚠️ Warning: Never start the engine out of water without a pre-connected artificial cooling system. Dry start is guaranteed to lead to bullying in the cylinders.
Difficult start-up can be associated with loss of compression. Wear of piston rings or bullies on the cylinder mirror requires welding and installation of repair pistons. Compression must be at least 7-8 atmospheres for confident operation.
The secret to a quiet move
Many owners reduce exhaust noise by implementing a propeller hub exhaust system (as on imported engines), which requires a major overhaul of the exhaust tract, but the result is worth it - noise is reduced by 30-40%.
Tuning and modernization: is the game worth the effort?
Modernization Whirlwind 20 The electronic ignition system is a popular trend among enthusiasts, and we've already discussed it, but it doesn't end there, and improvements to the exhaust system, the purging channels, and the exhaust window polishing can add a few percent of the power.
Some craftsmen install a water pump with increased performance or change the shape of the impeller, which allows you to cool the engine better in full load modes, which is especially important when using the motor on high-speed boats.
Replacing the standard ramp with a gas-reversed ramp also greatly improves handling comfort, but such improvements require welding and precise fitting of thrusts. tuning It should be reasonable and not disturb the balance of the entire unit.
The greatest effect of tuning gives an integrated approach: electronic ignition + tuning of the carburetor + the correct screw.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Which gasoline is best used for vortex 20?
The best choice is AI-92 gasoline. The use of AI-95 is impractical due to different ignition temperatures, which can lead to overheating. The gasoline must be fresh, without signs of oxidation.
Why does the engine stop at idle speed?
Most likely, contaminated idle channel in the carburetor or impaired sealing of the crankshaft glands, sucking excess air, and also check the gap in the contacts of the interrupter if you have contact ignition.
Can I use vortex 20 on seawater?
You can use it, but with caution. Soviet-made aluminum alloys are susceptible to corrosion in salty environments. After each exit, be sure to wash the deadville with fresh water and smear the outer surfaces with anticores.
What is the speed of the boat with this engine?
On a boat of the Kazanka or PVC type with a length of 3.6-4 meters with one driver, the speed will be about 25-30 km / h With a full load, the speed will drop to 18-22 km / h, which is a normal indicator for 20 forces.