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  1. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Got some work done yesterday and some headway today. First, tried to install the new parts. Had to get longer carb studs (and even with the new ones, they're still too short to thread into the intake all the way 😕). And found out that rather than tapping the PCV port, they shoved the fitting...
  2. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Fair enough. Took the PCV apart: Looks like the big hose (Marked "Motorcraft 5-55") and it's PCV valve (an aluminum Motorcraft EV8, Made in USA 🇺🇸) are in fact stock. The hose isn't in that bad of shape for 48 years old... some mild internal cracking on the very ends (past the spring clips)...
  3. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Doing some more reading... Apparently this carb and intake combo is trouble. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/edscarburetorforum/4100-with-a-edelbrock-289-performer-intake-t2300.html At a minimum I'll want stouter gaskets. These thin ones are moving despite being locked down. The old spacer to...
  4. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    A few more notes based on research I'm doing: Per several youtube and eBay references (along with parts lists confirming the use of a breather oil cap with steel wool media), the 888 is in fact a stock PCV setup (never ran vent tubes the flame arrestor). But, I have yet to find a parts list...
  5. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Got it to idle a bit better: Tightned the carb nuts with a 1/4" ratchet instead of a nut driver. Discovered I had a loose connection at the engine wiring harness plug (causing me to lose all 12V power after idling a bit) Still has a bad vacuum leak. In addition to the PCV issues, I'm pretty...
  6. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Floats are being slow to ship. The old ones aren't really that bad (crack is actually a surface flaw) so after a trip to the LAPS for a gasket missing from the kit, I was able to rebuild the carb. Good news is the accelerator pump is working great and I can start. The bad news is I have a...
  7. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    My thoughts exactly. May start at 1.5 because I'm told it likes fuel.
  8. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    While I was pulling the carb for a rebuild (story in another thread), I was able to get a better look at the front of the engine bay. Seems there is a section of what used to be wood exposed just below the end of the deck board below the gas tank... rotted away. See attached pictures- the void...
  9. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Got everything tore down and cleaned. Seems that idle mix screws were both bottomed out... weird. I'll have to see if there is a stock setting to try intially (for now, I have them set to 1 turn out). Also, the inlet screen was partially varnished over... and the choke heater air breather was...
  10. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Pulled the carb apart after finding that clean fuel going in was becoming yellow fuel dumping out... and that accelerator valve and primary jets are not flowing. I'll add pics later, but lots of dry deposits inside with a bit of rust on internal springs. Venturries are black as coal... yeah...
  11. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Last week, I got in contact with my best friend's dad who did a lot of the prior work on the boat (good, bad, and ugly). Per a long chat, I did find out exactly what happened regarding the deck/ski locker rot. Apparently, the previous owner had it at a boat shop for 3 weeks around 14 years...
  12. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    No cracks or leaks, but isn't hard as a rock either. If the fuel coming out was black (which the stuff that came out of the filter wasn't), I'd be worried about the hose coming apart internally. N That said, I since have found somebody who sells 3/8 A1-15 hose by the foot and will ship it (last...
  13. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Which is the other thing I'm figuring.
  14. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Some updates from this week: Got another gas can and drove the 30 mins to pick up the ethanol-free 90 octane. On the way there, found a place by the lake (Hardy Lake, IN) that also sells ethanol-free gas but thinking that it would more expensive continued the extra 7 minutes to the intended...
  15. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    FYI, per another thread, I got the gas tank pumped down finally. While doing so, I periodically checked the Gas gauge... totally works and is accurate enough.
  16. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Meant to post last night: Just got done pumping it out. Filled two 5 gallon cans to the brim, no more, no less. Wasn't able to get filler or vent hoses off. But there was a plug for a starboard-side dip tube that I was able to pull and use with a transfer pump. Not the most labor efficient...
  17. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    I'm pretty sure it calls for 88 minimum. I think it's the modern "american" AKI octane rating, not the old/non-american RON. Fuel system is a mix: Tank and tank hose are original, but seem to be in good shape. Filter housing removed for cleaning (and removal of bad filter). Rust seemed to be...
  18. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    I have a few questions about fuel selection/practice on my 1976 Mercruiser 888 The engine was designed for leaded fuel (per the tags) but also on one of the warning tags (either on the engine or taped the catalog, I can't remember which), they mentioned some exception or procedure for being...
  19. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    FYI, I completed the install and ignition refresh yesterday. Still having fuel issues but I was able to run off starting fluid. As for the plugs, the autolite plugs fit fine. The AC-Delco plug mentioned later crossreferences to a slightly different autolite plug (145)... slightly different...
  20. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    Already bought autolite 24's... Installing them now.
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