could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

[delsol]

hi all, i am in a jam. motor has no power 350 89 gm w/.alpha 1
the basic's only..
1 compression
2 spark
3 timing
can someone rewrite the basic to check all the basic things to rule out other things..i am going crazy over this boat.
bob/philly

 

[jedimaster]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

Check for spark, pull the plugs and make sure they all have the right gap, and the spark is white and strong if not diagnose the ignition.
Check the the Timing
Check compresion on all cylinders
Check the fuel preasure

If all of that is ok, you may have skunky fuel, try running it off a clean jug of fuel.

If that produces the same result, maybe the fuel filters.

Also coudl try replacing the spark plug wires, I had a car once that idled fine and drove fine but under load up hills would have no power. I replaced the wires and bingo everything was fine.

 

[delsol]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

cleaned tank bad fiel. tryed running off new tank same problem. will do the tests you said later today. cannot get to boat till 3pm
timing is good also. need to check compression and spark. i did have a very bad new coil wire leaking like crazy..if my plugs got all fouled because of bad gas . would it still run like crap and do 10 mph...and mis..
i will check them to day and do compress test the shop put on crap wires
bob

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

Make sure you have the ign wires right.....​

 

[delsol]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

check firing order???? is it in my merc book i have a non factory after market intake edlebrock
bob

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2....Clockwise....
1-3-5-7....port
2-4-6-8....Starboard​

 

[delsol]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

it says in book rt and LF WOULD I HAVE lh 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
or 1-2-7-5-6-3-4-8\



i cannot wait till i can post anything good. never thought i would be this leary about taking up a different hobby. if i had xtra money and a garage i would start over..i got money to fix it.. but i got killed on $$$ and time
is it 184 or the 127 firing order i dont know difference between rt anf left hand

 

[delsol]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

port and star i am confused about??? thanks
haut.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

Facing foreward, port is left, starboard is right.....
I would think you have a standard (LH) engine.....
1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.....​

 

[delsol]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

sorry thanks alot, lets hope this guy mixed up wires and plugs are fouled and good compression..at least good compression

 

[hullofalottatrouble]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

del.. do the comp tests.. it sounds like your engine is a mess.. start with the comp test and at least see if you have a sound block and heads.. then take it from there..

port is the boats left.. starboard is right.. so when you are driving the boat and take a left turn you are turning the port... if you take a right turn you are turning to starboard

you might want to check for water in the oil and water in the cylinders as well before you do anything..

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

delsole, dude.........never mind the prop. and forget putting the boat in the water until you get the engine running correctly on tera firma. I know you've been through the ringer on this deal.............but you need to go back to the basics. (as you already know). If the shop did indeed install a new or remand long block compression, valve timing head gaskets SHOULD not be an issue. That said a compression check cant hurt. From there you'll need to verify the ing. system, and fuel systems are in order. Both complete procedures have been posted by Don in the past. Do a search for them, print them out and follow them through before you spend another dime. Again step back take a deep breath or two and attack the problem in a planned orderly fashion. Short of dumping more good money on bad, it's the only way you'll ever make it to the water. Even then it's a crap-shoot, this is a boat after all.

 

[delsol]

Re: could someone give me a basic check list to troble shoot my engine

i am headed thier now thanks will report back
bob