Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

[m_sherman211]

I just bought my first real boat last Sept.
This spring I'm going to do a tune up on it. I was wondering what kind of spark plugs I should go with? Can I just buy cap / rotor / wires / plugs form summit or jegs ? or do I have to buy speacial marine parts?

 

[mnm01]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

hey sherman,use marine rated components,find the right supplier and price is not all that different.be safe..cheers

 

[scipper77]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

what engine do you have?? Use whatever spark plugs the manufacturer specifies. For all the other stuff you really do "HAVE" to go marine.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Ditto go marine so you get to go home. They are close in price and even NAPA can get them for you.

 

[m_sherman211]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

I've got a chevy 350 with 260hp with alpha one

what engine do you have?? Use whatever spark plugs the manufacturer specifies. For all the other stuff you really do "HAVE" to go marine.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Moisture & the massive vibration/pounding from being on the water will trash automotive parts quickly.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Some parts are Marine rated because of the enclosed space your engine is in. Vehicles have the luxury of an open engine compartment so the risk of fumes building up is almost nill,not so in a boat. Ignition and fuel systems are designed a little different to reduce the risk of leakage and prevent you from blowing up. The best example I can think of is the difference in the fuel pumps between auto and marine. If a auto pump goes there is a hole in it so the fuel drips out and on the ground. On a marine pump that hole has a fitting on it and a hose is run back to the carb to burn the fuel that would normally run out. There is no other difference between the 2 pumps. One can kill you in a boat and the other is safe. Alternators are also designed a little different so you dont have open spark in the engine compartment to ignite the gas that your leaking auto fuel pump is dripping in to your bilge. Despite these differences lots of boats blow up every year. Your choice of parts and due diligence in the operation and maintenance of your boat will reduce that risk significantly. Stick with the marine parts and don't forget to run the BLOWER every time you start your engine and especially after you top up the fuel tank.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Is it an open or enclosed engine compartment? I use car stuff in my Rebel but it is open. My cruiser is closed. It has a marine dizzy so the only choice is marine parts for the cap and rotor. I use automotive plugs and wires on both. I understand how the distributors are different. Hopefully someone here can explain what the difference is between marine spark plugs and plug wires VS automotive stuff.

 

[m_sherman211]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

My engine compartment is closed. So I got it, Stick with marine parts. My next stupid question is where can I get parts other than a marina? Is there a marine supplier that I can order from? You know like when you want performance auto parts you can order from Jegs. Thanks for all the help.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Try iboats marine store first. Members get a bit of a discount.

There are no stupid questions but there are a lot of answers by people that are trying to help but have no idea whats really going on so you have to be careful.

Everything that carries a spark on a boat is different.

If your boat burns up and they find one part not Marine rated your insurance is void.

It would really be a shame if you killed someone,or a few people just trying to save $10 on a set of wires. The Marine standards are there for a reason.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Hopefully someone here can explain what the difference is between marine spark plugs and plug wires VS automotive stuff.

Ayuh,.... For instance,... AC Delco sparkplugs,...
R43T is the automotive plug for SBCs,... It's a Steel bodied plug that'll rust solid in no time...
The Marine equavilant is MR43T,... It's an Alloy bodied plug that takes much longer to rust...

For plug Wires,....
You've got a Mercruiser distributer,...(cap, 'n rotor are obviously different for this reason as well)
Chevy caps/ plug wires have different Ends on 'em...
And, automotive wires are generally Shorter, due to 'em going over the motor, rather than down around the aft end, then back up to the plugs under the manifolds...
So,...
The plug wires are of the same composition, but Marine wires are longer, with different ends....

For Buyin' your parts,... As noted, try iboats megamall 1st....
If ya can't get 'em Here,....
Napa has access to to 'em, if not on the shelf, their only a day away....

 

[Don S]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

I've got a chevy 350 with 260hp with alpha one

Believe it or not, year also means something. There is a big difference between a 1970 and 2010 5.7 engine. Different distributors too.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Believe it or not, year also means something. There is a big difference between a 1970 and 2010 5.7 engine. Different distributors too.

Yep. The 2010 Chevy 5.7 is a 346 not a 350. The old 350s are 350s. 3.48 stroke and a 4" bore. LS1s are 346s with a 3.62 stroke and a 3.9 bore. The newer would not have a distributor unless it had been converted to a carb using the GMPP kit. No dizzy means no cap and rotor. The LS engines were first available in the 97 Corvette.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Sometimes @ Napa if you order what you want before 9:00 thye can have it by 5:00 the same day and the prices aren't bad

 

[m_sherman211]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

This is all great info. This sight is great. I've always loved boats but theres alot to learn but I've learned alot just from this forum. Thanks for the help. Sherman

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Post a couple of pictures! It looks like your lib is the "right" color!

 

[m_sherman211]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

1986 211 Liberator. Theres going to be a few changes to the boat including the name!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

1986 211 Liberator. Theres going to be a few changes to the boat including the name!

NICE!

What ever you do, DON'T call it a LIB!!!!

 

[m_sherman211]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Thats a bad *** set-up you got there. I'd like to do that to mine but I think I'm going to try to enjoy it for a couple of seasons first or unless I blowup or out something!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Liberator Tune-up / can I use automotive parts?

Thats a bad *** set-up you got there. I'd like to do that to mine but I think I'm going to try to enjoy it for a couple of seasons first or unless I blowup or out something!

Yeah.....I LIKE IT!!

I can tell you that it WAS a real dog outta the hole with the 460. Even when new (my brother bought it new)

He said that it just ROCKETS out of the hole now!

I attribute it to the Bravo III.

these are cool boats. Put a 502 with a Bravo III in yours!

You'll LOVE it!!