What do I have?

[MrLundt]

Just got a boat from my dad that he has not used in about 8 years. 19' Larson Manta boat. Title says 1977. Lists motor as 1977 OMC 190 H.P. I know from a stamping on the block that it is a Ford. I know from counting plugs that it is 8 cyl. I know the serial # is W563574. I know it won't start. Carbs getting fuel (from fresh tank). I just changed plugs. I'm doubting it is getting spark. Probably gonna need a manual for the thing but I don't even know what I have. Can anyone help?

John

 

[Uraijit]

Re: What do I have?

Don't know what you've got for sure, but that sounds like a chevy 305 engine. What do you mean by "serial number"? Serial number for what?

Look at the back of the block, on the right, where the flywheel cover bolts on (on top of the block) and get the casting numbers from the block. That will tell you what the block is.

As far as finding out if you're getting spark, that's a pretty easy thing to check. Pull a plug, put it in the wire, and set the plug on the top of the block. Have someone crank the motor while you watch the plug. Is it sparking?

If the engine's been sitting that long, you probably need a carb rebuild. Is the fuel pump working? Are you getting gas on the plugs?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do I have?

No he's right it's a ford. A oddball for sure but i got the book out. It's a 302 190 hp motor. There was another 302 175hp from 1974-76. You have a stringer outdrive.

Manual i have is a seloc omc stern drives 1964-86 # 3400 in upper right hand corner on the cover.

The original factory manual is better. Mine i got in west marine.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do I have?

You got a electric shift outdrive. Just in case you want to know.

good luck your gonna need it.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: What do I have?

wow, don't I feel like a retard. I saw the "OMC" and I guess I just tuned out the part where he said "I know it's a ford". :redface:

Anyway, advice on checking spark holds true, no matter the engine...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do I have?

No way i miss stuff all the time. We know your just trying to help.

 

[MrLundt]

Re: What do I have?

Thanks for the help, guys. The serial number that I listed came off the title. My outboard has a model number and a serial number but I'm not sure why this engine has a serial number. I'll look for the stamping tonight. I know I shouldn't assume that the carb is OK but I could see fuel coming out when I pushed the throttle lever forward. I don't know how far it is getting after it sprays out, though. I'm not sure if the fuel pump is working as it should. I used a fresh tank of gas w/ a clear tube so I could see the fuel flow. It made it from tank to separator but took several minutes of engine cranking to make it through the 30 inch tube. I have a vacuum gauge so if anyone knows specs I can test the vacuum pressure.

I knew there had to be an easy way to test for spark. I'll try that tonight, too. If I knew what kind of stator I had and specs for it, I would check it w/ my multimeter, too. If I ever get the engine started I'm sure I'll have more things to check but first things first. Thanks again.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do I have?

It's all in the manual. 7-9 pounds for the fuel pressure. Take the time get the manual.

good luck post when you run into a problem after ya get the manual

 

[MrLundt]

Re: What do I have?

I found the model # on the block. I have a 990232E for what that's worth. I also did a test of the fuel pump and got minimal vacuum (<2). Obviously, since I can't get the engine to start, the test was done by cranking the motor w/ the ignition. Is that adequate? I haven't checked fuel filter to see if that is part of the problem. Second, I have no spark. There was clean fuel on the plug so I'm assuming that gas is getting to it. Should I assume that? I'm on my way to Tractor Supply Company to replace the ignition coil. Third, I'm having trouble identifying the carburetor. It is a Holley and has the number N8908 inked on the side. Also stamped into it are the numbers 8061 and 7036. None of these numbers get me anywhere on Holley.com. Any ideas where else to look or how else to identify?

Thanks Much!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do I have?

Wait up don't buy nothing but a tune up kit yet.

 

[MrLundt]

Re: What do I have?

I should have listened... but it was only a $23 lesson and I needed a new coil after stripping a threaded post off my old one anyway. So, I replaced the ignition coil and I still do not have spark based on the way I tested it. I pulled the first plug out, connected it to the spark wire and set it on the engine block. Turned engine over w/ ignition and saw nothing. Is there any way of using multimeter to see how far the current is going? Test current at coil? Test current at distributor cap? Test current at end of spark wire? Don't want to get anyone too far off track w/ a problem that may not really be my problem but that is how it is looking to me right now. Still not satisfied w/ fuel pump pressure but that will be a project for another night. At the beginning of the evening I'm excited to see what I can find out. By the end of the evening I'm wondering why I even bother. I know it's too soon to get discouraged but this is really not my bag. I didn't stay at a holiday inn express and I don't play a mechanic on TV.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: What do I have?

Start by making sure the coil is getting voltage. Switch your multimeter to volts, and test for power going to the coil. Measure the voltage between the side terminals (the ones with the small wires going to them). The voltage should be 12 volts, and should pulse while cranking.

Resistance should be .7-.9 ohms between the side terminals. Resistance between each side terminal and the main wire that goes to the distributor should be around 10,000 ohms, or so.

Your manual should outline testing procedures, and specific specs for your particular coil, but they're generally all in those ranges.

If replacing the coil didn't make any difference, I'm guessing your old one was good.

If your coil's not getting voltage, it's probably a wiring harness issue, and you'll have to trace it out.

If the voltage tests out, I'd start by replacing your cap and rotor. With the cap off, does the rotor spin while cranking the engine?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do I have?

Wait a second. Lets get down to the basics. Take off the dist. cap. You have points i assume. Clean the points with sandpaper. In the cap sandpaper all the contacts. Sandpaper the rotor. Put it back on the cap.

Make sure all the plugs are in tight the center plug also. Now try if you have spark.

Don't spend any more money till after you post here the result.

We just want to see if you have spark.

 

[MrLundt]

Re: What do I have?

Thanks for the posts. Now I have a plan. I do well when I have a plan. I will check to see if current is getting to the coil. Cap and rotor are relatively new. Motor is 1977, rotor and cap 1996. I did pull cap. Rotor spins when cranking engine. Points and contacts look clean and free of corosion but I'm going to sandpaper them anyway. I still think there was a problem w/ old coil. There was no metalic contact w/ wire leading to dist. cap. There was a screw head in bottom of connection fitting but no copper dohickey for the whatchamacallit to snap into. In spite of believing that should have worked, it hasn't yet. I'll post again after I test voltage and sand points.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do I have?

Good to have a plan. Forgot the movie about subs. the line was " russians don't take a dump without a plan". Red October was the movie.

Good luck

 

[MrLundt]

Re: What do I have?

When I removed the ignition coil there were 3 wires. One went from the - side of the coil to to dist. One came from battery and attached to + side. Any idea what the third wire is for? I believe it was on the + side of the coil. Is that the correct side for this 3rd wire? I'm worried I may have put it on the wrong side when I reattached

 

[Windykid]

Re: What do I have?

The third one should come from the ignition switch. I dont know why you have a wire straight from the battery.

 

[MrLundt]

Re: What do I have?

The third one should come from the ignition switch. I dont know why you have a wire straight from the battery.

It may not come straight from the battery. I haven't actually traced it back to the battery. I meant that it is coming from that direction. So have we accounted for all 3 wires? If one comes from ignition switch and other goes to dist, what could the 3rd wire be? My coil requires an external resistor. Could the 3rd wire be coming from that?

 

[Windykid]

Re: What do I have?

You may need to get a schematic. But at least take the + wires off and see if you have 12 volts and which one is switched by key.

 

[MrLundt]

Re: What do I have?

My coil requires an external resistor. Could the 3rd wire be coming from that?