Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up.

Jarrodbl

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
11
I really hope someone can help me with the issue. First I will tell you what I have already done. I had a shop fix my stern drive. So don't know if this is there fault or not. I had to replace the coil, points, and condenser. That fix the idle problem. In neutral i have reved the engine up to 3000 rpms. I had it hooked to a water hose so didnt want to hit WOT which is 4600. So I take it to the lake and reverse works great. It takes gear easy when I put it in forward. I got out of the wake zone and tried to open her up. The boat started vibrating and would not get above 2000 rpms. So I quickly shut it down and towed it in with my jet ski. Any body have any ideas of what might be going on. Points are set at .018 the manual states .016 - .019. I took a fuel sample and it is water free straight out of the tank. Any help at all is much appreciated.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,462
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

I really hope someone can help me with the issue. First I will tell you what I have already done. I had a shop fix my stern drive. So don't know if this is there fault or not. I had to replace the coil, points, and condenser. That fix the idle problem. In neutral i have reved the engine up to 3000 rpms. I had it hooked to a water hose so didnt want to hit WOT which is 4600. So I take it to the lake and reverse works great. It takes gear easy when I put it in forward. I got out of the wake zone and tried to open her up. The boat started vibrating and would not get above 2000 rpms. So I quickly shut it down and towed it in with my jet ski. Any body have any ideas of what might be going on. Points are set at .018 the manual states .016 - .019. I took a fuel sample and it is water free straight out of the tank. Any help at all is much appreciated.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...

My 1st Guess is, ya screwed up the firin' order when ya swap the dist. cap....

Did ya set the timing, after ya did yer tune up,..??
 

Jarrodbl

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
11
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

I did not swap the cap. I got a kit. The new cap didn't have the little notch on the side like the old one.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Hook up a dwell meter and run the engine at idle, what is the dwell. Now rev the engine to 3000 rpm. What does the dwell change to?
 

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Agree w/Bond-o. You need to have the engine at TDC for cylinder #1 on the compression stroke, then verify that the rotor is pointing at the number one cylinder. Once that has been verified, you need to ensure that all of the wires are in the correct order on the cap AND to the correct spark plug. You then need to verify the base timing with a timing light. Once you have done all of these things, you can then retest it on the water to see if the problem continues.

We can move on to other things if the ignition system isn't the problem. I do assume your prop is in good condition, yes?!
 

Jarrodbl

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
11
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Just verified the plug wires where in the right order. I really don't wanna buy a dwell meter. Is that an absolute must? I'm going to go see now if i can find the right distributor cap. This old boat was gave to me and im trying to stay low budget. I'm gonna do what I gotta do though. Haven't had a boat in many years.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,462
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

I'm going to go see now if i can find the right distributor cap.

Ayuh,... That might Help,....

This ain't TV,.... If ya wanta play a Mechanic, ya need the Tools to do the Job.....
 

Jarrodbl

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
11
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Do you have a link I can read on how to use a dwell meter and timing light?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Do you have a link I can read on how to use a dwell meter and timing light?

Some basic info here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=335302

The instructions come with the meter and/or light and may even be in the same unit. Different manufacturers have different things to set. You can get them from most auto parts stores.
Might try google with how to use each. There is all kinds of info available.
 

81 Checkmate

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Messages
1,360
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Check your prop and see if the inner hub has spun or it's missing.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Spun hubs produce high rpm and no/little boat movement, he isn't getting over 2000 rpm.
 

81 Checkmate

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Messages
1,360
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Just a thought! The way the OP desribed it is .... He went to throttle up 2 grand, and the boat started to vibrate then shut it down.

He also said he reved it on the hose to 3 grand....

Did the boat move or not?
 

riptorn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
433
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Check for bent prop and chips
 

Jarrodbl

Cadet
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
11
Re: Mercruiser 228 GM 305 1982 model cobalt. Boat vibrates in F gear will not open up

Hey, thank you for all the help. Turns out a new set of plug wires and dis cap made it fire on all cylinders. Should have done a full tune up in the first place. Thanks again for the help.
 
Top