Carburetor spacer question

[kaliona]

Mercruiser I6 165hp. Have been battling hard starting when engine is hot and have read many posts about adding a 1/4" phenolic carburetor spacer and insulating the fuel line. Some say it's worked, some say no difference, but I'm willing to give it a try. I removed my carb and noticed the base its currently on is NOT steel. I just know my magnet won't stick to it so I'm guessing its aluminum or maybe already a phenolic base. Can you guys tell from the attached pic if it is phenolic. If it is, am I wasting my time adding the 1/4" spacer? The throttle linkage is mounted to it, and I've never modified this so I'm guessing its the original equipment. As cheap as a spacer is, I'll probably do it anyway to see if it helps. Just curious what is there right now. Thanks guys

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... It appears to be a die-cast adapter plate, probably aluminum, but possibly zinc,.....

Go ahead, 'n try the plastic spacer, it can't hurt, unless the motorbox hits the fire arrestor after,...
Probably have to put it under that plate, so's the linkage still works,...

Another trick with those ole I6s is to get another end-plate, like the one on the front of the manifold, 'n replace the non-barbed flat plate on the back of the manifold, with the barbed plate, allowin' another hose to be plumbed in, allowin' better coolin',.....

There's a few Posters here that know more 'bout it than myself,.... Achris, Fishermark, FreebeTony, 'n a few others, come to mind,...
One of 'em will be along,...

 

[Fun Times]

What year is your engine?

Looks like that spacer is original to the engine. Using the part number 63502A2 of item # 25, http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...br=1605&bnbr=4&bdesc=FUEL+PUMP+AND+CARBURETOR brings up these two photos for comparison, http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o...0.TRC0.H0.X63502A2.TRS0&_nkw=63502A2&_sacat=0

 

[gm280]

I've seen different types of plates that are used to keep the fuel in the carb cooler. So you could even install a few gaskets both above and below the spacer to see if that helps with the fuel temperatures. Also adapter plates are used to help increase runner length to help develop more HP. Now whether you will see or feel any more HP is questionable. But the gaskets should accomplish the carb fuel staying a little cooler anyway. That is why phenolic adapters are for. Phenolic doesn't transfer heat as quickly as metal material do...

 

[kaliona]

Its a 1978 engine. Thanks for the tips guys. Adding the spacer will probably put the flame arrestor right up against the engine cover. I'll probably have to cut away some insulation around the arrestor, but I think it should work. Just going to keep my fingers crossed and hope this solves the hard starting problem.