283 stalls when engine cover closed

[keykev]

I have a 1961 23 foot chris craft with the flywheel forward 283. I have done all work to this boat for the past 20 years. I changed oil yesterday prior to pulling out and winterizing this week. out of nowhere its stalling when I close the engine cover other wise runs great. flame arrester is clean and still stalls even if removed. I am thinking it just does not like the cold as these motors did not use thermostats and the temperature gauge does not move at all. also cannot find any exhaust leak. I am in ct. and the water temp now is about 55 degrees. any ideas here would be appreciated. thanks, kevin.

 

[alldodge]

Does it die as soon as it's closed or takes a short time?

 

[keykev]

Does it die as soon as it's closed or takes a short time?

its takes about a minute or 2. loses rpm and stutters and then stalls as if it ran out of gas. I even took my CO detector from my furnace room and put by the carb but it did not go off. thank you for helping, I would like to get it fixed before I have to pull it out on satuday. I,m going to try and post a video,

 

[Scott06]

its takes about a minute or 2. loses rpm and stutters and then stalls as if it ran out of gas. I even took my CO detector from my furnace room and put by the carb but it did not go off. thank you for helping, I would like to get it fixed before I have to pull it out on satuday. I,m going to try and post a video,

What do the plugs look like and is there gas in the carb after it stalls? When it dies reopen the hatch and pump throttle to see if accel pump squirts gas.

What does it take to restart after it dies?

 

[flashback]

I wonder if it is starving for oxygen, be sure you haven't blocked off the engine room from getting air. Maybe a pile of cushions stored in the wrong place... when it starts to fail remove the doghouse and see if it catches back.

 

[alldodge]

Flashback has same thought I do

 

[piperjoe]

X3

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have never seen a bilge that is air tight.

Additionally the bilge venting should be flowing 300cfm minimum. So the motor should run to at least 4000 RPM

Post pics

 

[H20Rat]

There is no way a bilge is that air tight enough to starve a motor at idle. An opening the size of a straw would flow enough air.

I'm thinking pure coincidence that you closed the hatch at the wrong time.

 

[matt167]

It happens on outboards when the base gasket is blown. Reduces the amount of oxygen by displacing with an equal amount of co2 from the exhaust. think on a 283 though you could hear the exhaust tick though

 

[Scott Danforth]

My guess is the carb needs to be rebuilt and choke needs to be adjusted. the choke should be a well choke for 1961. my guess is the choke spring is rusted

 

[redneck joe]

Is the doghouse hitting any wiring as you close it?

 

[keykev]

What do the plugs look like and is there gas in the carb after it stalls? When it dies reopen the hatch and pump throttle to see if accel pump squirts gas.

What does it take to restart after it dies?

I have not looked at the plugs but have looked down the carb when running and see no evidence of flooding, accel pump is working, see no evidence of anything blocking air flow to bilge, unfortunately I have to pull and winterize her today. new exhaust hoses going on this winter, probable a carb rebuild, and rudder stuffing box repack. thank you..