Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The choke apparatus includes a choke valve automatically operable in response to the speed of the engine, a thermally conductive assembly that conducts heat from exhaust gases produced by the engine, a thermally responsive member in thermal communication with the thermally conductive assembly, and a mechanism that moves in response to the thermally responsive member to cause the choke valve to remain in at least a partially open position during engine starting when the thermally responsive member senses a temperature above a predetermined temperature. The thermally conductive assembly at least partially surrounds the path of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, is a cooling system for a marine engine and includes cylinder cooling jackets, cylinder head cooling jackets, and thermostatic and pressure controls which facilitate safely operating the engine with low water flow rates. In one specific embodiment, the cooling system is employed in a marine engine including a V-type cylinder block with two cylinder banks and a valley between the banks. Each cylinder bank includes a plurality of cylinder bores (e.g., each cylinder bank includes three cylinder bores in a six cylinder engine), and respective exhaust ducts extend from and are in flow communication with each cylinder bore. Respective coolant flow paths extend from the valley to a section of each cylinder bore water jacket adjacent each cylinder exhaust duct. Specifically, water is provided from the valley to adjacent each exhaust duct in the cylinder banks. Each cylinder bore water jacket includes an outlet at an upper portion of each said cylinder bank.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block which defines a cylinder, a crankshaft bearing supported at least in part by the cylinder block, a crankshaft which is rotatably supported by the crankshaft bearing, a piston slidably housed in the cylinder, a connecting rod having one end connected to the piston and having an opposite end connected to the crankshaft, a cylinder head mounted on the cylinder block, a camshaft at least partially supported by the cylinder head for rotation relative thereto, an oil pump having an outlet, a first oil conduit communicating between the oil pump outlet and the crankshaft bearing, an oil filter communicating with the first oil conduit for filtering oil only in the first oil conduit, and a second oil conduit communicating between the oil pump outlet and the camshaft, oil in the second oil conduit being unfiltered between the pump outlet and the camshaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising a carburetor having an air induction passage, a valve member located in the air induction passage and moveable between open and closed positions, and a fuel supply valve member moveable between open and closed positions, an air intake silencer communicating with the air induction passage and including spaced exterior brackets including aligned openings, an actuating member received in and support by the aligned openings for rotary and axial movement relative thereto, connected to one of the valve members for actuation of the one member between the open and closed positions in response to axial movement of the actuating member, and connected to the other of the valve members for actuation of the other member between the open and closed positions in response to rotary movement of the actuating member.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat, a propulsion unt mounted on the mounting bracket for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit including a pivotally mounted propeller and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller by a transmission, and a shift handle assembly including an inner member mounted on the propulsion unit for movement relative thereto, the inner member being connected to the transmission for actuation of the transmission in response to movement of the inner member, an outer member movable between spaced first and second positions relative to the inner member, and a bolt for securing the outer member in the first position so as to cause movement of the inner member in response to movement of the outer member, and for selectively permitting movement of the outer member to the second position.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting assembly adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat, a propulsion unit mounted on the mounting assembly for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the propeller and including a throttle, a throttle control member movably mounted on the propulsion unit for controlling the throttle, a stop member mounted on the propulsion unit for movement relative thereto, the stop member having a surface located adjacent the throttle control member for limiting movement of the throttle control member, and a thumb wheel for moving the stop member, thereby adjusting the limit of movement of the throttle control member.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting assembly adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat, a propulsion unit mounted on the mounting assembly for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller having a rotary axis, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller and including a throttle, and a throttle control member mounted on the propulsion unit for movement in the direction of the rotary axis for opening and closing the throttle.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller, and a cowl assembly enclosing the engine, the cowl assembly having an interior and including a bottom wall having therein an opening, and a chimney extending upwardly from the bottom wall for conducting air from the opening to the interior of the cowl assembly.