86' 110 Bubbleback

[OBJ]

I put this engine together using a remanufactured block. Owner opted for a standard fuel pump instead of the VRO pump. No big deal with assembly. Changed out the stator since the old one got burned when the engine caught fire......#4 rod went through the block.

Anyways.....link and sync, timing all good. Spark is good after changing out a couple plug wires.

Here's the deal.....with the cover off, runs great, pushes the pontoon boat it's mounted on very well. Put the lid on and she only gets about half speed. Crack the lid a little and she takes off again.

Can't see any connectors, wires or other electrical stuff getting pinched, squeezed or pulled lose. Took the hand hold cover off the engine cover to expose the air intake opening. No difference. No fuel lines getting pinched either.

Check all amphenol connectors and even had another wrench on board to take a look. Both of us are stumped. The kicker is, went to the guys dock last Friday, took a look and put the lid on. Ran great. No problem. Ran all day Friday without a sneeze. Fellow calls me Saturday and says it's doing it again.

Only thing I noticed is that two of the plug wires have automotive type boots and connectiors....wire is stranded core. Didn't have any with me to change out.

Looking for suggestions.........all will be considered and appreciated.......a bunch!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 86' 110 Bubbleback

Is it dropping 2 cylinders or just acting like it's starving for air? I know it's hard to tell but what does it sound like?

 

[OBJ]

Re: 86' 110 Bubbleback

I really don't think it's starving for air either Dale. It's just to quick in what it's doing. It's not really rough when it goes into the "slow mode" until it gets down to low speed and maybe a tad rough like "a" cylinder might be cutting out. I wiggled the timing light pick up down through the air hole and clipped it to #4 hole cause that was the side I suspected of dropping out.....funny thing, I could unhook the port side side hood latch and push down on the lid and make it change rpm. #4 didn't miss a beat when running at WOT but we were still not getting the rpm. I'm really convinced it's dropping cylinders but just can't put my finger on it. I'm ready to take my hood down next time....the rubber seal on the engines hood is really bad and makes getting the hood latched up a pain.

 

[Walker]

Re: 86' 110 Bubbleback

Its probably a bad sparkplug wire jumping to the hood latch.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 86' 110 Bubbleback

Good thought Walker. I do plan on changing all the plug wires out next time out.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 86' 110 Bubbleback

That's fairly common given the circumstances you've outlined. Wizard Performance makes some really nice wires with ss ends.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 86' 110 Bubbleback

I'll do the plug wire change out and let ya'll know how it does......d%($*%&m things can be a pain.....

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 86' 110 Bubbleback

Lol! Yes, that is correct too...........