1978 galaxie 22xl

[mh11]

Hello there, it's me again. 1978 galaxie 22xl.

You have all been gracious about helping me.

This quote came from another persons question, and I didn't think about this at all.

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the higher the elevation the more gear you need to stay in the range of efficient prop pitches.

more gear compensates for loss of power due to lack of air,

if you dont know this then, theres a good chance you dont have this problem


Well, my problem is 23p blade stainless prop(came on boat), got 3000 rpm WOT, changed to 17p, only got 3900 rpm WOT.

I know the boat sat a little, so in a few weeks I am going to change the water seperating fuel filter, and filter at the carb.

The motor backfires at high rpm, the plugs look brand new. From listening to all of your advice, I am lean, and or, have a valve issue. I am going to do the comp test to determine.

Looks like my upper drive housing was changed, don't know if the gear ratio is correct, does the quote above mean I need to go from 1.5 drive to 1.6 or higher to maintain effective range of prop pitches??

Seems to me if I solve the motor issues and get to 4200-4600 rpms at WOT, then the speed will come.

What advice on the drive do you all have.

I am running from 3800 MSL to 6000 MSL at Lake Tahoe

Thanks!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

what drive system are you talking about? have you consider changing carb jets?

 

[mh11]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

It is an alpha 1 I believe upper unit that they replaced. It should have the pre alpha upper according to the original manual that the owner had. But it does not have the little fin on the top cap.

The upper unit says 1.98 on it, but in previous questions, the other people had said for my prop, rpm, and indicated speed said my drive should be 1.5 which is what the ratio shoould be.

Yes, I had emailed Dennis Moore, and he said to change the secondary metering rods. So I have thought about that.

The carb is q-jet 4bbl, I have no idea what jets are in this carb though. The boat came from sea level originally. I am sure the jets probably need to be changed.

I want to check the fuel system though as who knows if there is dirt, old fuel, water in the fuel filter, etc.

But the drive ratio comment that I posted intrigued me.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

this belongs in the I/O forum.

 

[mh11]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Funny I posted this in the I/O forum, someone moved it here.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

OK you have a 1978 what engine? And an MC-1 Drive with a 1.98:1 ratio. If you can give the engine size we can determine if it's the right ratio.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Ok found your other post, it's a 350. Well a 1.98 is for a 120/140/3.0 4cyl. I believe you have the wrong drive ratio there. If the drive has a fin/wing/eye on the top cap it's an MC-1 drive. Alphas' are flat

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

I want to check the fuel system though as who knows if there is dirt, old fuel, water in the fuel filter, etc.

Ayuh,... 1 thing at a Time.... Fix the motor 1st....

If by chance you actually had a 1.98:1 ratio,+ Not just the reused/ regeared case,...
Your motor would be Screaming Wildly at Outrageous RPMs,.... Not Lugging...

 

[Don S]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

First thing I would do is get a shop tach, and verify what rpm's your engine is really turning and what your dash tach is showing.

 

[mh11]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

78 galaxie 22xl 350 crate motor, 100 hrs on it. Mercruiser outdrive.

I had the shop a few months back when I bought the boat change the points and condenser, set all timing / advance / dwell, all to stock specs. This made the boat start very easily, idle smooth, and perform pretty well.

They also replaced the impeller that brought the temps from around 180 down to a consistent 140.

I had some steam coming from the back all the way up to my legs, turns out I had my dad drive it while I lifted the engine cover. The 3" to 4" bellows cracked on the right side of the boat. I am planning to replace that in the next few weeks. It was when I ran the boat with the engine cover off that I was able to hear the backfiring at high rpm. Some people on here had said lean condition, possible valve issue.

The outdrive ratio comment at altitude was what got me going. I had figured if I had a 1.98 instead of 1.5 that indeed I would be screaming instead of lugging. Thanks Bond-o for that info.

Question, where is the anti-siphon valve?

So I will list what I want to do, and you all tell me if I am wrong.

1) Take compression test. Fix sticking valve is that is issue.
2) Replace water seperating fuel filter, and filter at carb. Possibly just buy new carb, found place on ebay that rebuilds the Q-jet, has good feedback, and said would set carb baseline for my altitude.
3) Test fuel system, make sure pressure is good.
4) Fix jetting issues, I think it's lean top end. Dennis Moore had said play with secondary metering rods.
5) Get the engine to pull 4200-4600 rpms steadily. Would like to get it up around 4600 for sure, get more speed.
6) Get two props, one for crusing top speed, one to two kids with.
7) Put Dennis Moore's manifold conversion kit (center riser) replacing the old log style manifolds that are probably worn. Run the specs he gave me to get 295-300 hp at 5000 rpm. He emailed me the specs to run.

Then go have fun for the summer, let me know what you all think as I am new to this boating stuff, I am very mechanically inclined, so I think I can pull this off.

Thanks for all of your help!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Question, where is the anti-siphon valve?

Ayuh,... It's the nipple that the fuel hose is attached to at the top of the Fuel Tank....

1) Take compression test. Fix sticking valve is that is issue.

Ayuh,.. Good Idea,...

2) Replace water seperating fuel filter, and filter at carb. Possibly just buy new carb, found place on ebay that rebuilds the Q-jet, has good feedback, and said would set carb baseline for my altitude.

Ayuh,.. Toss the RottenChester,+ go buy an Edlebrock 600cfm Marine carb,+ the Tuning Kit....
They're Simpler, Easier to tune,+ much Cheaper...

3) Test fuel system, make sure pressure is good.
4) Fix jetting issues, I think it's lean top end. Dennis Moore had said play with secondary metering rods.

Ayuh,... 5psi fuel delivery,+ see the last quote for #4...

5) Get the engine to pull 4200-4600 rpms steadily. Would like to get it up around 4600 for sure, get more speed.

Ayuh,... Shoot for 4600rpms,... That same motoris now rated at 4800rpms....

6) Get two props, one for crusing top speed, one to two kids with.
7) Put Dennis Moore's manifold conversion kit (center riser) replacing the old log style manifolds that are probably worn. Run the specs he gave me to get 295-300 hp at 5000 rpm. He emailed me the specs to run.

Ayuh,... 2 props is Always a good Idea,... Especially changing altitudes....
As for the Manifolds,...
Dennis is selling GLMs,... Check them over Very Carefullly before installing,...

I had to remachine my GLMs to flatten the gasket surfaces...

 

[mh11]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Thanks so much Bond-o!!!!

So should I replace both of those anti-siphon valves then? There are two 25 gallon tanks on each side of the boat. Do they go bad? Is this maybe part of the problem?

Will the edelbrock carb go on the high rise manifold that Dennis Moore recommended? What model is it, I think I have seen 1409 if I remember right

Thanks so much for all the help, I have learned a ton!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Do they go bad? Is this maybe part of the problem?

Naw,... Usually you can just take it apart,+ Clean it,....

 

[mh11]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

More questions, is the edelbrock carb going to have the same gas feed line as the Q-jet?

Also, I have a automatic choke on this boat, not electric. Should I stick with the automatic choke?

What jets will I run at this altitude in the edelbrock?

Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

More questions, is the edelbrock carb going to have the same gas feed line as the Q-jet?

Donno,... You'll probably have to fab 1 up...

Also, I have a automatic choke on this boat, not electric. Should I stick with the automatic choke?

Electric is Easier...

What jets will I run at this altitude in the edelbrock?

Your Sparkplugs,+ Runability will tell you That,...
You'll probably just be swapping Needles,+ Springs, rather than the Jets,...
But that's what the Tuning Kit is for...

 

[mh11]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Thanks again for all the advice!!!

One thing though, I am on kind of a budget. Do you think I can just make the q-jet that's on there now work? Should I just try to tune that one?

What does putting the edelbrock electric choke on entail? Do I have to run new wires?

Also, if I am at 3900 rpm at 37mph, if I can get 4600 rpm, what speed increase should I see? Maybe 50mph? Is there a calculator that does this?

Thank you again!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Do you think I can just make the q-jet that's on there now work? Should I just try to tune that one?

Ayuh,... That's Your call,....

What does putting the edelbrock electric choke on entail? Do I have to run new wires?

Yep,... 1 wire that's Hot with the key On,...

if I am at 3900 rpm at 37mph, if I can get 4600 rpm, what speed increase should I see? Maybe 50mph? Is there a calculator that does this?

Ayuh,... I believe the answer to That 1 would probably be found in the Prop forum.....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Rottenchester, why damn good carb. Might not be a thing wrong with it.

Might be water in the hull ? Did you check to see?

78' boat stringers waterlogged?

Water holding in the bow? Foam waterlogged ?

Might not be a thing wrong with the motor.

If it were my boat i would:

1- Check the compression.

2- Check the fuel pump psi.

3- Check the anti-syphin valves, Fuel T might be a clog.

4- Check all the fuel filters, is there one in the fuel pump? The one in the fitting by the carb,

5- Timing good, points good, wires good.

6- Have someone count the revolutions of the prop for every revolution of the crank pully. That will tell you what drive gears you have.

7- If drive is good then it's time to go to the lake and put on a 17p with a gps to confirm speed and a shop tach hooked up to confirm your gauge on the dash get it to go wot if it's between 4200-4600 your in the groove if higher then you need a 2 pitch higher prop.

If lower then you need a 2 pitch lower prop.

Finally check the top of the forum " Adults only " Don just posted #14 why you can't reach WOT read it.

I read your posts very carefully, WHO ADJUSTED YOUR VALVES 100 HOURS AGO? How was it done? COULD THAT RIGHT THERE BE YOUR WHOLE PROBLEM ???

look on the back of the tach see where you can set it for 4-6-8 cylinders cycle it back and forth the switch, and then set it at 8 cylinders might be the tach is set wrong.

My posting this is to try to save you time and MONEY.

 

[mh11]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

Thank you chiefalen!! This forum is unreal, I have learned so much in a short time here!!

Well, I honestly don't know who did the valves on the motor, all I know is that I bought the boat from a union mechanic who had 3 boats including this one, and he needed the money and didn't really use the boat much. He really took care of his boats.

When I fire the boat up and run it, I don't hear any valve train noise at all. That is why I am hoping it just a carb issue running lean.

I did read Dons post #14.

The boat is a closed bow, the old day cruiser with the little cuddy. The only real open part of the boat is the back half.

There is my real concern, I know the seats on either side of the motor, where your feet would be, there are soft spots in front of each one, and where the center ski holder is, the end of that area in front of the motor is a little soft. I am going to pull the carpet and check that out. Seems the deck may be little soft.

Weird thing is there are no drains I can see for any water to make it in to the bilge area. Did someone glass these in at some point, or were they never there in the first place.

The other thing is, where the trim pump is, the pump leaks fluid. How do I fix the leaking problem. It leaks at the hose at the base of the pump, and it leaks where it goes in to the reverse lockout valve. Is there a rebuild kit for that, or are just fittings loose?

Thank you all so much for your help, this truly is the best forum!!!!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1978 galaxie 22xl

You say he took care of his boats Hah.

Tighten the fitting a bit see if they are just loose first.

Me i would pull that floor up first thing. You can have a thousand pounds of wet foam in there. Stringers got to be looked at.

Alot of time before season starts to get it in tip top shape.