Honda Bf8a Owners Manual

							19
INSTALLATION
Correct and secure installation is essential for safe boating and good
performance. Follow the installation instructions provided in this manual.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Before installation, check to be sure that the outboard motor does not exceed
the recommended maximum horsepower for the boat on which it is to be
installed. Refer to the boat’s certification plate for recommended maximum
horsepower. If the certification plate information is not available, contact the
boat dealer or manufacturer.
For most boat applications, the outboard motor should have a horsepower
which provides 80% of the maximum recommended horsepower for the boat.
INSTALLATION POSITION
Install the outboard motor on the
center of the boat transom.
The antiventilation plate of the
outboard motor should be 0 – 2 in
(0 – 50 mm) below the bottom of the
boat. When the outboard motor  is
mounted on a sailboat, the
antiventilation plate should be 6 in
(150 mm) or more below the surface
of the water. For unusual situations,
see your Honda marine dealer for
advice.
The correct dimensions differ
according to the type of boat and
the configuration of the bottom of
the boat. Follow the manufacture’s
recommended installation height.
Outboard Motor
Type Transom Height
Short : S 16.5 in (420 mm)
Long : L 22.5 in (572 mm)
CENTER LINE
MOTOR
TRANSOM
HEIGHT
IDLE
PORT
WATER
SURFACE 0 – 2 in
(0 – 50 mm)6 in
(150 mm)
ANTIVENTILATION
PLATE
BOAT
TRANSOM
HEIGHT
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							20 INSTALLATION
When the outboard motor is installed extremely low, the idle port may be
immersed and the engine may become hard to start or may run poorly.
Check that the idle port is high enough from the water level when the
engine is stopped with the boat fully loaded.
If the outboard motor is installed too low, the boat will squat and be hard
to plane, and the motor will spray water that may enter the boat. It will tend
to porpoise, and high-speed stability will be reduced.
Propeller ventilation will occur if the outboard motor is installed too high on the
boat transom.
Optimum installation height varies with boat type and bottom shape. Contact
the boat manufacturer for any spacial recommendations that are unique to a
specific model of boat.
If the transom needs to be modified to accommodate the outboard motor,
contact the boat manufacturer and follow their recommendations for corrective
action.
OUTBOARD MOTOR ATTACHMENT
Attach the stern bracket to the boat
transom by tightening the clamp
screws.
•
Before operating the boat, check
the tightness of the clamp screws.
•Tie a rope through the hole in the
stern bracket and secure the other
end of the rope to the boat. This will
prevent accidental loss of the mo-
tor.
•The holes in the clamp screw
handles may be padlocked together
to prevent theft of the motor.
NOTICE
STERN BRACKET
CLAMP SCREWS
SAFETY ROPE
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							21 INSTALLATION
MOTOR ANGLE FOR CRUISING
Adjust the motor so the propeller
shaft is parallel with the water sur-
face.
MOTOR ANGLE ADJUSTMENT
If the propeller shaft is not parallel
with the water surface, adjust by
changing the transom angle adjust-
ing rod position.
There are four adjusting stages.
1. Push in (A) the adjusting rod,
twist upwards (B) and pull out to
remove.
2. Insert the rod in the proper hole
and twist it down to lock.
To prevent damage to the motor or
boat, make sure the transom angle
adjusting rod is locked.
INCORRECT
CAUSES BOAT TO
“SQUAT”INCORRECT
CAUSES BOAT TO
“PLOW”CORRECT
GIVES MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE
NOTICE
TRANSOM ANGLE
ADJUSTING ROD
TO CHANGE
TO LOCKUNLOCKED
POSITION
LOCKED POSITION AB
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							22
WIRES TO BOAT LIGHTING AND
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
BATTERY CABLES FROM
OUTBOARD MOTOR
(OPERATOR PROVIDED)12-VOLT BATTERY
DC RECEPTACLE
RUBBER CAP
PLUG
INSTALLATION
BATTERY
Battery Connections
Honda BF8A outboard motors produce a 12-volt, 5-ampere battery-charging
current. The motors come with a DC receptacle that needs to be connected
to a 12-volt battery. The battery-charging circuit is protected by a 5-ampere
fuse located in the engine compartment.
The outboard motor’s 12-volt output is designed to charge a “starting or
cruising” battery only. It is not intended to charge a “deep-cycle” type battery.
Lights and electrical accessories for the boat should be connected to the
battery.
The receptacle is provided with a rubber cap, which should be attached when
the plug is removed, in order to keep the receptacle clean and dry.
To prepare the outboard motor for
connection to a battery, pull the
plug out of its rubber boot, route
suitable electrical wires through the
boot, and screw them to the plug
positive (+) and negative (–) termi-
nals. Coat the plug terminals with
dielectric grease, and reinstall the
plug in the rubber boot.
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							23
Battery Installation
Place the battery in a corrosion-resistant battery box that is securely mounted
in a location away from the fuel tank and protected from contact with water.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Eyes — Flush with water from a cup or other container for at least 15 minutes
(water under pressure can damage the eye). Immediately call a physician,
local poison control center, or 911.
Skin — Remove contaminated clothing. Flush the skin with large quantities of
water. Call a physician immediately.
Swallowing — Drink water or milk. Call your local poison control center or a
physician immediately.
+ WARNING
The battery contains sulfuric acid (electrolyte), which
is highly corrosive and poisonous.
Getting electrolyte in your eyes or on your skin can
cause serious burns.
Wear protective clothing and eye protection when
working near the battery.
INSTALLATION
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							24
INSTALLATION
Connections to the Battery
Connect the positive (+) battery cable to the positive (+) battery terminal, then
connect the negative (–) battery cable to the negative (–) battery terminal.
The negative (–) battery cable should always be removed from the battery
when connecting or disconnecting the positive (+) battery cable, so tools
cannot cause a short circuit if they touch a grounded part while being used on
the positive (+) battery terminal fitting.
Be careful to avoid connecting the battery in reverse polarity, as this will
damage the battery-charging system in the outboard motor.
NOTICE
REDBLACK
NEGATIVE (–)
TERMINAL POSITIVE (+)
TERMINAL
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							25
BEFORE OPERATION
ARE YOU READY TO GET UNDERWAY?
Your safety is your responsibility. A little time spent in preparation will
significantly reduce your risk of injury.
Knowledge
Read and understand this manual. Know what the controls do and how to
operate them.
Familiarize yourself with the outboard motor and its operation before you get
underway. Know what to do in case of emergencies.
Familiarize yourself with all laws and regulations relating to boating and the
use of outboard motors.
Safety Apparel
Always wear a PFD while on the boat. Attach the emergency stop switch
lanyard securely to your PFD or your wrist.
IS YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR READY TO GO?
For your safety, and to maximize the service life of your equipment, it is very
important to take a few moments before you operate the outboard motor to
check its condition. Be sure to take care of any problem you find, or have your
servicing dealer correct it, before you operate the outboard motor.
+ WARNING
Improperly maintaining this outboard motor, or fail-
ing to correct a problem before operation, can
cause a malfunction in which you could be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always perform a preoperation inspection before
each operation, and correct any problem.
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							26 BEFORE OPERATION
Safety Inspection
•Look around for signs of oil or gasoline leaks. Make sure the fuel tank is in
good condition and properly secured in the boat (see page 27). Check that
the fuel hose is undamaged and properly connected (see page 28). Wipe
up any spills before starting the engine.
•Check the stern bracket to be sure the outboard motor is securely installed.
•Check that all controls are operating properly.
•Replace any damaged parts.
•Check that all fasteners are in place and securely tightened.
Maintenance Inspection
•Check the engine oil level (see page 48). Running the engine with a low oil
level can cause engine damage.
•Check to be sure the propeller and shear pin are undamaged, and the
propeller cap is secured with a cotter pin (see page 58).
•Check that the anode is securely attached to the antiventilation plate
and is not excessively worn (see page 57). The anode helps to pro-
tect the outboard motor from corrosion.
•Make sure the tool kit and spare parts are on the boat (see page 42).
Replace any missing items.
•Check the fuel hose and the fuel level in the fuel tank (see page 44).
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							27
OPERATION
SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS
To safely realize the full potential of this outboard motor, you need a complete
understanding of its operation and a certain amount of practice with its
controls.
Before operating the outboard motor for the first time, please review the
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION on page 7 and the chapter titled
BEFORE OPERATION.
For your safety, avoid starting or operating the engine in an enclosed area,
such as a garage. Your engine’s exhaust contains poisonous carbon monox-
ide gas which can collect rapidly in an enclosed area and cause illness or
death.
BREAK-IN PROCEDURE
Proper break-in procedure allows the moving parts to wear in smoothly for best
performance and long service life.
For the first 10 hours, run the outboard motor at low speed, and avoid
prolonged fullthrottle operation.
PORTABLE FUEL TANK PLACEMENT AND CONNECTIONS
Fuel Tank  Placement
Place the portable fuel tank in a well-ventilated location, away from direct
sunlight.
+ WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and
explosive.
You can be burned or seriously
injured when handling fuel.
•Stop the engine and keep heat,
sparks and flame away.
•Handle fuel only outdoors.
•Wipe up spills immediately.
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							28
To ensure that the outboard motor
will be able to draw fuel from the
tank, place the tank within 6 feet of
the outboard motor and not more
than 3 feet below the fuel connector
on the outboard motor.
Secure the portable fuel tank in the
boat, so it won’t move around and
become damaged.
Before use, open the fuel tank vent
by turning the vent knob at least 2 or
3 turns counterclockwise.
Fuel Hose Connections
Connect the fuel hose to the tank
and the outboard motor, as shown.
Be sure both connectors snap se-
curely into place.
Fuel Priming
Hold the priming bulb with the outlet
end higher than the inlet end.
Squeeze the priming bulb several
times, until it feels firm, indicating
that fuel has reached the carbure-
tor.
Check to be sure there are no fuel
leaks before starting the engine.
Do not touch the priming bulb with
the engine running or when tilting
up the outboard motor. The
carburetor could overflow.
OPERATION
FUEL
FILLER
CAP
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