NHGuy
Captain
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 3,631
Hi there. Longtime no post. How is every one?
So, I had some trouble starting my engine at the end of last season and ended up winterizing it without a good start.
Some of you may recall i built this engine over the winter leading up to the 2016 season.
It's a 383 with 1997 Mercruiser Alpha 1 gen II ignition, controls and drive.
Last week I noticed that my OE 1997 TB V coil had leaked oil while stored horizontally off the engine. That OE coil had been removed and stored while I tried (and failed) a new never used Sierra coil I had bought for my previous 1987 TB IV engine.
This past week it got up to 50 degrees and I had a chance to do some testing.
I printed the TB V test flowchart and checked the gray tach wire at the coil, it was not grounded. So that's good.
With key on the coil + terminal showed 11.38 volts when my battery had 12.4 volts. That's a possible issue.
Then my spark tester arrived in the mail.
When I cranked the engine with a starter button and key on, the spark tester lit on #1, I got an orange flash. That's a possible issue. I'd expect a brighter flash with a good battery.
Then I did a leakdown test and got 7 to 10% at all 8 holes. So that's good.
I had the distributor out last fall too.
I wonder if I have the engine mis timed. I have done that before.
I have watched the valves on #1 come to a close as the timing mark comes to the indicator. I believe that is correct, but I've goofed on it before.
The first time I every stabbed a distributor I got it 180 degrees off. So anything is possible.
I may have to go back to restart my process to find the error of my ways.
So, I had some trouble starting my engine at the end of last season and ended up winterizing it without a good start.
Some of you may recall i built this engine over the winter leading up to the 2016 season.
It's a 383 with 1997 Mercruiser Alpha 1 gen II ignition, controls and drive.
Last week I noticed that my OE 1997 TB V coil had leaked oil while stored horizontally off the engine. That OE coil had been removed and stored while I tried (and failed) a new never used Sierra coil I had bought for my previous 1987 TB IV engine.
This past week it got up to 50 degrees and I had a chance to do some testing.
I printed the TB V test flowchart and checked the gray tach wire at the coil, it was not grounded. So that's good.
With key on the coil + terminal showed 11.38 volts when my battery had 12.4 volts. That's a possible issue.
Then my spark tester arrived in the mail.
When I cranked the engine with a starter button and key on, the spark tester lit on #1, I got an orange flash. That's a possible issue. I'd expect a brighter flash with a good battery.
Then I did a leakdown test and got 7 to 10% at all 8 holes. So that's good.
I had the distributor out last fall too.
I wonder if I have the engine mis timed. I have done that before.
I have watched the valves on #1 come to a close as the timing mark comes to the indicator. I believe that is correct, but I've goofed on it before.
The first time I every stabbed a distributor I got it 180 degrees off. So anything is possible.
I may have to go back to restart my process to find the error of my ways.
