sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

[barrelback]

situation- new overhauled Chevy 350 w/Thunderbolt lV & Holley marine 650
two hours running on the hard with water per outdrive. Engine runs solid and looks good to go.

two issues during first sea trials
in the water powering up to put it on a plane-engine misses failing to run on all eight- suspect timing issue but set the timing at 8* BTDC. Need to re-confirm 8*.

second-Alpha One control & gear shift cable adjustment. Followed OEM (manual 6) step by step. In the water, nice ker-chunk from newtral to frwd. NOTHING when going neutral-rev.

background- shifting worked Ok before engine was pulled. Outdrive shifts frwd-rev if transmission cable is held in hand for operation. When transmission & control cable (IAW OEM) are installed on plate only frwd (no rev)

Hoped in the water with a load would sort out the frwd-rev issues. Notsomuch.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

You haven't said what kind of boat. Go fast, cruiser? Have you had a mechanical survey?

 

[Don S]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

in the water powering up to put it on a plane-engine misses failing to run on all eight- suspect timing issue but set the timing at 8* BTDC. Need to re-confirm 8*.

Some were, but that was on OEM engines. Does the advance timing work per specs?

nice ker-chunk from newtral to frwd. NOTHING when going neutral-rev.

Is it going into reverse, just not clunking, or no reverse still in neutral?

 

[Don S]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

You haven't said what kind of boat. Go fast, cruiser? Have you had a mechanical survey?

Neither of those comments have anything to do with the questions he asked.

 

[barrelback]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

Don,
Thanks again.
I got those steps from a thread here at iboats.com. Missed the OEM reference.

Today, there was no kerchunk (no sounds) when moving selector to reverse (in water).

Looking at your PDF recommendation I think I found the problem.

Manual #6- 16. Remote Control with Single Lever Shift/
Throttle Control:
a. RIGHT HAND (RH) propeller rotation drive
unit-Shift remote control into reverse gear,
wide open throttle position while
simultaneously rotating propeller shaft
clockwise. Clutch should engage and cause
propeller shaft to lock.

Adjust the transmission cable (6") and attach with the selector in REVERSE & WOT.
I attached with it in FORWARD & WOT. duh. basakwards.

 

[Bondo]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

in the water powering up to put it on a plane-engine misses failing to run on all eight- suspect timing issue but set the timing at 8* BTDC. Need to re-confirm 8*.

Ayuh,.... Water in the fuel/ Crud in the carb will do that,...
High demand, no gas...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

let me see if I have this straight "kerchunk" means that it actually when into gear? So, no reverse for you?

If this is a 'sea trail' are we thinking of buying this boat, - already bought it, - or just testing it after the rebuild.?

You know that Mercruisers are supposed to be black, don't you? That could be part of the problem . Anyway, I'd be re-checking the cable into the outdrive and stuff like that. As far as the miss firing, there are so many possibilities it would be tough to tell. I'd be looking at the carb, linkages, etc. Your timing is probably OK.

 

[Don S]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

Let's keep this thread strictly the engine problem, since you also started another thread on your shift problem http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=526573

 

[boatnut74]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

Have you checked your float settings and mixture screws? Under load demands more fuel. I would also check your fuel pressure and filters.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

You didn't mention the age of the distributor cap, rotor, and spark plug wires.

There is a big difference in spark intensity (voltage) between running on the hose and running in gear on the water, with the engine 'Under Load' spark intensity is greatly increased, any weakness in the system starts to pose problems such as your misfires.

Test each spark plug wire with an Ohm meter, inspect the distributor cap and rotor for carbon tracking.

You could use an adjustable spark gap tester and test each spark plug wire to ensure all are capable of arcing a hot blue arc across a 1/2 inch gap.

 

[barrelback]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

check your fuel pressure and filters.

New water-fuel separator filter
fuel psi (new mechanical pump) +- 5lbs

 

[barrelback]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

distributor cap, rotor, and spark plug wires.

Inspected cap&rotor-no carbon traces visable
spark plug wires ages unknown

checking. thx

 

[barrelback]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

Test each spark plug wire with an Ohm meter,

What Ohm reading of plug wires is Ok v. discard?

for Thunderbolt lV (35K volts) with sparkplug wires attached to TR43T sparkplugs gapped .035"

thx

 

[barrelback]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

Have you checked your float settings and mixture screws?

New out of the box Holley marine 650cc
new fuel-water separator filther
no water in tank or gunk in tank

 

[Bondo]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

New out of the box Holley marine 650cc
new fuel-water separator filther
no water in tank or gunk in tank

Ayuh,... New outa the box is Irrelevant...

Ya need to CHECK the settings...

 

[barrelback]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

Does the advance timing work per specs?

Thunderbolt lV worked when engine was pulled for overhaul.
Dizzy has NO vac cylinder visible.

Need an illustration from the manual for a Thunderbolt lV for comparison of vac system (if there is one).

thx

 

[Bondo]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

Thunderbolt lV worked when engine was pulled for overhaul.
Dizzy has NO vac cylinder visible.

Need an illustration from the manual for a Thunderbolt lV for comparison of vac system (if there is one).

thx

Ayuh,... T-Bolt IV is fully electronic,...
Timing is checked by just hookin' up the light...
A digital light will show advance...

Boat's don't use vacuum,...
It's either electronic, or fly-weights...

 

[barrelback]

Re: sea trial's issues with new engine missing and no reverse

thx