Help with 84 Mercruiser 3.0 not starting

[bo120680]

Hello all. I have an 84 Merc 3.0 that I am working on restoring and I am a total noob when it comes to carbureted engines.

When I received the engine the crank would not turn. I was able to pull the head, hone the cylinders and get the crank to turn. Oil comes through the lifters and push rods and rockers just fine now. And the engine turns well with a new starter and compression is good with new head gasket.

I took the carb apart and cleaned all the jets and confirmed that carb cleaner was coming out of all ports. Fuel is getting to the carb as well. I dont know however if it is reaching the cylinders.

When working on freeing the engine I pulled the distributor and like a fool did not mark the location when I pulled it. I put my finger over the plug for cylinder 1 and stopped cranking once I felt it on the compression stroke, continued manually turning the crank to 6 degrees BTDC and replaced the plugs. Then lined up the distributor cap for the first point with the location of the roter. Engine will not start....

I would think that would be close enough to get it started and adjust timing from there. Is the next step plugs and wires??

I am not sure if this is the correct way to do this. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with 84 Mercruiser 3.0 not starting

Then lined up the distributor cap for the first point with the location of the roter. Engine will not start....

Ayuh,.... Are the Sparkplugs, Sparkin',..??
What are the points set too,..??
Are sparkplugs gettin' wet with fuel,..??
Are ya chokein' the carb, when crankin' it,..??

 

[bo120680]

Re: Help with 84 Mercruiser 3.0 not starting

Ayuh,.... Are the Sparkplugs, Sparkin',..??
What are the points set too,..??
Are sparkplugs gettin' wet with fuel,..??
Are ya chokein' the carb, when crankin' it,..??

I will be replacing the plugs tonight. They have not been changed in a long time, but do have spark with all plugs, all wires and all ports on cap.

They do not appear to be getting wet with fuel. Should they be noticeably wet?

I have tried to start it choked and not.

I am wondering if the timing is completely off. I followed the manual to what I understood but was a bit confused.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Help with 84 Mercruiser 3.0 not starting

Pump the throttle a couple of times to; #1 close the choke, #2 give the engine a rich charge to start. This is standard procedure for a carbed engine. Since you just stabbed the distributor, it could be too far to the fire at the right time. Turn the distributor a bit each way while cranking the engine to see if it will catch. Once you have it running, adjust the timing and carb. I would do a tune up; cap, rotor, points, condenser, plugs, wires, fuel filters.

 

[bo120680]

Re: Help with 84 Mercruiser 3.0 not starting

Replaced the plugs and re-adjusted timing. I was able to get it to start for the first time!!! HOWEVER, that was without the carb on and spraying carb cleaner in the intake manifold.

More info:

I see fuel in the carb, but it seems like an a lot.. maybe not. continues dripping into carb after i stop cranking the engine. Also, I cranked it without plugs in and cylinder 3 was spiting fuel, cylinder 4 was spitting mist, 1 and 2 were moving anything but air..

I checked compression on all cylinders and had 90, 90, 120(ish), 90 repectively. I will be doing a valve adjustment when I get home and testing again.