1988 vp aq211a 5.0 w/290 drive no power after 3000rpm

[jfalco]

i have a 1988 steigercraft 23 with original motor and outdrive that runs perfectly, always maintained. I always run the boat at 3000rpm, seems like the perfect speed and rpm but coming home i decieded to open the throttle and the boat did nothing, i could hear the carburetor open for air but nothing happened, motor was struggling like a car with a bad catalytic converter, butterfly on carb was fully opening, could the exhaust be plugged, the boat has spent its life in a slip in salt water, don't know hrs on engine. if i didn't try and increase rpm and left it at 3000 rpm i would never known there was a problem

 

[QBhoy]

Sounds like a lack of fuel at best. Check your pick up from tank, nr valve, filter and carb pre filter inside the adjoining compression fitting on side of carb. There is a wee gauze mesh filter there. Just a starting point.

 

[jfalco]

Thanks for your response. What is the NR valve?

 

[QBhoy]

Non return valve. Maybe that’s a UK thing. Check valve or ball valve maybe more familiar in the US ?

loce to hear how you go. But defo start with the fuel system.