'95 3.0lx

BeeEl

Seaman
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
53
Noob Here.
I just got this boat with a cracked lower unit. I ordered the replacement unit and I am working on other things while I wait for it to show. I will post my serial number as soon as I can get it (hopefully tonight). I have the serial to everything BUT the engine.
Anyway, the flame arrestor says Digital Electronic Ignition System on top of it. I wasn't getting fire so I checked the cap and rotor. I found points! Is this normal? That was the last thing I expected to find. The book talks about "Electronic Spark Timing". I cleaned em up and got it cranked. I am very curious about timing now. I think I remember my book saying to set it at 1? advanced. Does that apply to this point setup as well? Should I try to go back to what is supposedly had in it? The engine doesn't die cleanly. It diesels a little bit. So I am guessing fuel loading or timing (or both). Can anyone help shed some light on this subject please? I will have MANY more questions as I go along. I will attempt to ask them in the appropriate section.
I cleaned the carb and would like to know if the book is correct stating to set the idle mixture at about 1 1/4 turns out and the idle speed at about 2 turns out? Sound right?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,986
Re: '95 3.0lx

Noob Here.
I just got this boat with a cracked lower unit. I ordered the replacement unit and I am working on other things while I wait for it to show. I will post my serial number as soon as I can get it (hopefully tonight). I have the serial to everything BUT the engine.
Anyway, the flame arrestor says Digital Electronic Ignition System on top of it. I wasn't getting fire so I checked the cap and rotor. I found points! Is this normal? That was the last thing I expected to find. The book talks about "Electronic Spark Timing". I cleaned em up and got it cranked. I am very curious about timing now. I think I remember my book saying to set it at 1? advanced. Does that apply to this point setup as well? Should I try to go back to what is supposedly had in it? The engine doesn't die cleanly. It diesels a little bit. So I am guessing fuel loading or timing (or both). Can anyone help shed some light on this subject please? I will have MANY more questions as I go along. I will attempt to ask them in the appropriate section.
I cleaned the carb and would like to know if the book is correct stating to set the idle mixture at about 1 1/4 turns out and the idle speed at about 2 turns out? Sound right?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It sounds like somebody has assembled a Junkyard Dog,...

Post up some pictures at various angles of yer motor,...
Then We'll see if We can sort out what ya got, 'n the Best way to get 'er Right,...
 

BeeEl

Seaman
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
53
Re: '95 3.0lx

Is it possible that maybe their module had gone out and someone simply put the point setup on it? I will get some pics tonight. Thank you for your response
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,986
Re: '95 3.0lx

Is it possible that maybe their module had gone out and someone simply put the point setup on it? I will get some pics tonight. Thank you for your response

Ayuh,... That's my Point,... The Possibilities are Endless,.... ;)

Bein' a Nooby, head on up to the Adults Only section up by the top of the forum, 'n look 'round,...

Of particular interest oughta be the Mercruiser Info thread,...
 

BeeEl

Seaman
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
53
Re: '95 3.0lx

For whatever reason I can't get pics to upload. I will work on that. However, here are my serial numbers:
Engine:0F371672
Transom:0F404839
Drive:0F440872

Engine Model MCM 3.0LX

Does this help?
 

smassey22180

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
210
Re: '95 3.0lx

This is what the distributor looks like on my 95LX. If you need any other views let me know.

IMG_1530.jpg
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: '95 3.0lx

And that would be the same DEI system that is on my 05 as well.

The serial number that you provided does show that the engine is a 1995 model, so it seems that someone swapped out the stock distributor for an old style points distributor.
 

BeeEl

Seaman
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
53
Re: '95 3.0lx

Ok that is NOT what my distributor looks like. Mine looks like the old school Chevy style with points. It doesn't have 2 wires going in the bottom. That would explain it. Would you guys recommend I change it back to the DEI system or are these about as good and trusty? Thank you once again.
If I could get the pics to upload, I could show you.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: '95 3.0lx

Curious - did you take the engine serial number off the engine or the spark arrestor cover?

Looks like the engine has been apart at some point since it looks like they cut the steel fuel line and patched in a piece of rubber fuel line. Also the short piece of line on the carb almost looks like brake line with a compression fitting on it.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,986
Re: '95 3.0lx

Ok that is NOT what my distributor looks like. Mine looks like the old school Chevy style with points. It doesn't have 2 wires going in the bottom. That would explain it. Would you guys recommend I change it back to the DEI system or are these about as good and trusty? Thank you once again.
If I could get the pics to upload, I could show you.

Ayuh,... Look up the Delco Voyager systems,... iboats sells 'em,...

State of the art electronic ignition,..
 

smassey22180

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
210
Re: '95 3.0lx

From the pic the box with wires under the circuit breaker looks like it has been added. And you are missing the vent tube from your fuel pump to the carb. If your diaphragm leaks you will get fuel in the sump. Add some clear tube. You probably need to unplug the nipple on the front of the pump. If it leaks you will then see fuel in the tube and know your pump is leaking internally.
 

BeeEl

Seaman
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
53
Re: '95 3.0lx

The serial numbers match from the engine and the top cover. I assume the rubber line was added at some point to ease disassembly. I have the clear line, i just havent put it on yet. So the consensus is to go back electronic? What about the carb settings I listed. . . . Sound ok?
 

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
6,989
Re: '95 3.0lx

I would go back to electronic ignition, the Delco Voyager EST ignition Bond-o suggested. The 140HP (3.0) points distributors have a different ignition curve and the EST will work better with your late model engine. Points initial timing is set to 6*BTDC and the EST is 1-2* initial with it going to around 12*BTDC after the timing shunt is removed. The old points dizzy has more total timing than the EST also, which might not be a good combination with the higher compression LX engine.

You will need to re-wire the shift interrupt switch when going from points to the EST ignition, instructions should be included dizzy.

The "initial" carb settings sound fine, but you need to fine tune the idle mixture and idle speed screws when,,, the boat is in the water, warmed up, and idling in gear.
 
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