Hard start sometimes after engine is really warm on '67 Sea Ray 4cyl.

[redgoat]

My '67 Sea Ray I/O with a 2.5L 153 cu.in. 4 cylinder engine with a 2bbl carb is sometimes hard to restart after shutting it off after a hard run. I have to raise the "cold start" lever to get it to restart and then as I lower the lever and reduce the high RPMs I then have to sometimes throw it into gear quickly to avoid stalling the engine when the lever is lowered to its lowest position. I run the bilge fan continuously while the engine is running to help cool the engine compartment. However, I think I still might be experiencing "heat sink" or something similar that might cause fuel to get too hot or bubble while the ignition is off.
My question is--Would wrapping the fuel line with a type of insulation help correct my hard start problem?

 

[Scott Danforth]

no, however rebuilding your carb would

you have crud in your fuel bowl. time to clean the carb

 

[racerone]

Tune up time.----Replace the condenser.----Why would you need to wrap the fuel line after 50 years of service ??

 

[Rick Stephens]

I would also suggest that there should be no such thing as getting a Mercruiser sterndrive 'really warm'. If the cooling system is clean and open, and the impeller is fresh enough to pump properly, your engine has basically unlimited cooling capability. There is no reason it should ever get hot in the engine compartment, certainly not hot enough to cause vapor locks. Might consider checking over your cooling water flow.

 

[redgoat]

If the thermostat is installed up side down, could this affect the cooling even though my dash gage never registers in the hot range. At each winterizing, I remove it and reinstall it. The thermostat I have been using will only go one way in the block with the spring facing up. However, a new thermostat that I purchased will "fit" into the housing either way. Does the spring portion go down into the block with the other end facing up into the rubber hose? Or does it go the other way?

 

[Rick Stephens]

This way, Radiator=incoming water:

 

[Bondo]

My '67 Sea Ray I/O with a 2.5L 153 cu.in. 4 cylinder engine with a 2bbl carb is sometimes hard to restart after shutting it off after a hard run. I have to raise the "cold start" lever to get it to restart and then as I lower the lever and reduce the high RPMs I then have to sometimes throw it into gear quickly to avoid stalling the engine when the lever is lowered to its lowest position.

Ayuh,..... This says 2 things to me,......

#1,.... You've got an Outboard controller on yer I/O,.....
Outboard controllers have the extra lever,.....
I/Os have a disconnect for the main lever to allow out of gear revin',.....

#2,.... The idle circuit in yer carb is plugged up,.....
Mid-range, 'n hi-speed might be Ok, but not the Idle Circuit,......

 

[kenny nunez]

Just like Bondo says. Time to rebuild the carburetor
When I first got into the boat repair business in 72 many of the boats used that same control. The 2 internal components always gave problems wearing out. They resembled a heart and a wheel.

 

[redgoat]

Would you have an illustration or photo of the heart and a wheel you are referring to? Are these parts of the shift control lever or are they parts of the carburetor? I have rebuilt my Rochester 2bbl carb many times over its 53 year lifespan. I have tried unsuccessfully for the last 20 years to pinpoint the reason why it sometimes is hard to restart without first raising the cold start lever which will put the engine in high RPM's but frequently stalls as I reduce the RPMs by lowering the cold start lever and putting it into gear. Very frustrating. BTW, I am the original owner of this 53-year-old Sea Ray.

 

[redgoat]

Time to rebuild the carburetor
When I first got into the boat repair business in '72 many of the boats used that same control. The 2 internal components always gave problems wearing out. They resembled a heart and a wheel.

Are these 2 internal parts found inside the carb or are they part of my gear shift lever? Any photos of these parts? Really would like to fix this 25-year-old problem with my boat.