Chrysler Charger Deluxe 85hp

[Pres]

My buddy purchased this motor for his boat. We installed the motor plummed all the gas lines, cables, and electrical. First attempt at starting the but was with no success. It cranked very slowly almost as if the battery was dead enough only to allow it to crank a 1/4 of a spin each turn. Placed battery on charger overnight and next day same exact thing. Pull the plugs out it rolls perfectly. Ok so squirt gas mixture into carbs it fires but dies after 5 to 10 seconds. So we load the boat take it to the bay back it in squirt gas in and its running we continue to give it a fine spray of gas to keep it running momentarily until it can run on its own. Its running under her own power so out on the river we go. Up and down the river a few times and its running great. We dock the boat cause of a leak figuring we had a good day it runs. A week later my buddy takes it out again fires up and is running fine 15 minutes out it stalls suddenly at WOT and would not fire again even with squirting fuel in the carbs. Now every attempt to start it fails at the most we can get is a split second pop. I am not sure of the year but my guess would be around the mid to late 70's. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to detail as much as I knew. Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jasonbailey]

Re: Chrysler Charger Deluxe 85hp

Good info on this FAQ post.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000033

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler Charger Deluxe 85hp

First thing to do is test for spark and compression. Compression testers can be purchased at an auto parts dealer or Sears for under 30 dollars. Typically compression numbers are done on a warm engine but cold numbers will show if you have a bad cylinder.<br /><br />Test for spark by removing plugs from cylinders and ground the plug tips while the plug wires are attached. Have someone crank the starter and see if there is spark on all cylinders. It is best to do this in a dark room.<br /><br />Your starter issue is either a bad starter or a bad battery. I have heard the battery is new however it is common to buy a bad new battery. Have it load tested from an autoparts store. If battery tests okay clean all contacts to the starter, starter solinoid and the battery so they shine. Use a file or sand paper and try again. If starter still hesitates you will need to take the starter apart and clean the crap out of it and reassemble. Clean the commutator and insides with WD40. Do not use any oil or lubrication in the starter. When done clean the bendix on the top of the starter and lightly oil it.<br /><br />Post your spark test and your compression numbers back here on this thread<br /><br />Good luck

 

[Pres]

Re: Chrysler Charger Deluxe 85hp

Thanks for the quick replys. I did forget to mention that I did do a spark test on all 3 cylinders and they all had great spark. However I did not test out the compression yet. As I said it is my buddys boat but I just might break down and get one I am sure I could use it in the future. I suspected the starter being the issue on the slow cranking but I did not know that you could tear them down and clean them out in hopes of reviving them so I will definetly give that a shot. As far as the battery goes I did not load test them but I have 2 brand new Die Hard Marine/RV batterys and the same cranking for both so I assumed it was not a battery issue. Also I have read that same faq you posted but the only problem is for one that i can not get it running steady to make some of the adjustments and two I am not willing to fork out the money for my friends boat when I have plenty of other projects and my own newly purchased boat. I am simply trying to help him out and also it is sitting in my driveway blocking one of my garage bays. Thanks again for the reply's and please if you guys can think of anything else I may have overlooked let me know. I will post back after I try to clean out that starter and a few more diagnostics.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler Charger Deluxe 85hp

Before taking the starter apart make sure all connections are cleaned. Coorosion on battery leads and connectors creates resistance and will not allow as much current to flow. <br /><br />Basic stuff if spark is good. Does it backfire? Could be sheared flywheel key. Flywheel key will throw timing off so when spark ignites there may not be pressurized gas in the cylinder. I doubt fuel pump or carb cause spraying gas mix is not working for you. Is it possible you have the wrong plug wires attached to the wrong spark plug?<br /><br />On starter cleaning you will need some mono filiment or thin thread to hold the brushes and springs in place when you put the starter back together. It would also help if you can post a model number. This should be on a metal plate somewhere under or near the carbs.

 

[Pres]

Re: Chrysler Charger Deluxe 85hp

Okay worked on it for some time yesterday. Checked for spark on all 3 cylinders all was well, cleaned all points of contact in distributor, dissasembled starter cleaned it out very well, cleaned all points of contact with the main power leads, shortened power cables, and put new ends on all. Now I am making some progress the motor no longer cranks slowly, cranks quite beautifully actually. Still no fire. At the most by spraying gas in the carb it will give a nice pop as if it is firing but die immediately. Tried cranking it several times until the battery no longer was charged.

 

[Pres]

Re: Chrysler Charger Deluxe 85hp

Oh yeah almost forgot the model number. # is 859H8A then just underneath that it has 2498.