inthedirtagain
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2011
- Messages
- 321
Picked up my 81 Sun Ray last fall and promptly stored after winterizing. Took it out today after spendy the last month cleaning up wiring, connections, and installing a stereo. When at home and on the hose, the 3.8L fired up pretty easy with the electric fuel pump and manual choke. Out on the lake today, it was a difficult process. Pretty sure I'm gonna need to learn this motor's starting ritual.
Once started, I had to carefully advance the throttle in just the right way or it would die each and every time. Would occasionally backfire, too. I managed a GPS-verified 31mph @ 3000rpm. That's it. Not gonna lie....I was disappointing and hoped that I didn't buy someone's problem child. Before anyone asks, I did verify the hull is clean (fresh water boat), all gear boxes were drained and filled with fresh gear lube, and the prop is a brand new stainless PowerTech 4-blade 15x15p.
I'm the cabin tomorrow with my other boat for a weekend of fishing with the family. When I return, here is my plan:
1. Verify compression, base timing, throttle advance, accelerator pump, condition of points/cap/rotor, and inspect spark plugs. Replace anything necessary.
2. If all that checks out, I'll place it on my old Sears engine analyzer to check /adjust dwell and use the tach function to adjust idle jets and final idle.
3. If that still doesn't get me running out better, I'll spring for either a new carb or a rebuild kit.
Trying to get this thing prep'd for a family reunion next month. Will be nice to finally wakeboard behind a boat with a tower! I'm using a factory OMC manual to get my specs for of this. Thoughts? Comments? Derogatory remarks?
Once started, I had to carefully advance the throttle in just the right way or it would die each and every time. Would occasionally backfire, too. I managed a GPS-verified 31mph @ 3000rpm. That's it. Not gonna lie....I was disappointing and hoped that I didn't buy someone's problem child. Before anyone asks, I did verify the hull is clean (fresh water boat), all gear boxes were drained and filled with fresh gear lube, and the prop is a brand new stainless PowerTech 4-blade 15x15p.
I'm the cabin tomorrow with my other boat for a weekend of fishing with the family. When I return, here is my plan:
1. Verify compression, base timing, throttle advance, accelerator pump, condition of points/cap/rotor, and inspect spark plugs. Replace anything necessary.
2. If all that checks out, I'll place it on my old Sears engine analyzer to check /adjust dwell and use the tach function to adjust idle jets and final idle.
3. If that still doesn't get me running out better, I'll spring for either a new carb or a rebuild kit.
Trying to get this thing prep'd for a family reunion next month. Will be nice to finally wakeboard behind a boat with a tower! I'm using a factory OMC manual to get my specs for of this. Thoughts? Comments? Derogatory remarks?