Ford Mercruiser 351 V8 SlickCraft 235 motor/starter/key issues? Any help? pics

[Brock.Ward]

Hey guys, got another boat, project boat. Its a 1975 Slickcraft 235. Has Ford/Mercruiser 233HP 351 v8. Traded it for a generator cause it has the plastic/fiberglass flooring and the interior was in pretty dang good shape. I took out plugs which look fairly new, turned the crank with a leverage bar and it turns so its not froze up. The key was hanging out wired but i dont think it is wired correctly, and when i turn it it just clicks the engine solenoid i believe. Tried to hook up my jump box to starter direct and it just clunks or clicks once. Here are my questions before I put more work into this thing. Can you look over the wires and make sure the key is hooked up correctly along with the coil resistor next to distributor? Please let me know thoughts or questions, i'll get right back to you! Thanks!

 

[Brock.Ward]

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[Brock.Ward]

pics attached

 

[haulnazz15]

I'm not sure I understand. Why do you think the ignition switch is wired incorrectly? If the solenoid is clicking, I'd assume it was wired fine. Next step is to check the voltage on the output of the solenoid to make sure you've got 12V there. However, since you said a jump start directly on the starter didn't turn it over, my next question is the starter. It's easy to remove on the Ford's, I'd have it rebuilt or at least tested.

Now, as for the coil/distributor . . . you should be able to check the voltage at the positive side of the coil with the key in the "on" position. You should have ~7V, and 12V with the key in the "start" position.

 

[Brock.Ward]

Got starter out, bunch of dirty brown water in it. I am 99% sure there isnt a bad head gasket as the dealer i just traded it from did a compression test and said cylinders were good. It has been sitting outside for a few years but how do you drain oil behind the starter where the crankshaft gear is? Start is working now after i cleaned it up. Gonna try to crank it after i get it installed.

 

[Brock.Ward]

Got starter out, bunch of dirty brown water in it. I am 99% sure there isnt a bad head gasket as the dealer i just traded it from did a compression test and said cylinders were good. It has been sitting outside for a few years but how do you drain oil behind the starter where the crankshaft gear is? Start is working now after i cleaned it up. Gonna try to crank it after i get it installed.