"leaded fuel only"

[ccarver]

Just bought this boat this week and took a closer look and found a plate that said "leaded fuel only" ..... What am I looking since everything is unleaded now a days?
Carver

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

There are a lot of those older boats out there running just fine on unleaded fuel.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

Looks like my 1987 3.0 liter mercruiser .What year motor did they still requier leaded fuel? I still have a quart of lead additive and have only used In 64 Hercules G3000 6 cyl and never added to old tractors without problems ?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

read here!

http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/technical_safety_bulletins/use_unleaded_gas.aspx

I use this and love it, can be found here at any auto parts store,gas station,truck stop, walmart... i put it in everything i own every 4th tank or so. I would use it in your boat full time!

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=26&catid=8&loc=show&headTitle= - Lucas Fuel Treatment

 

[QC]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

Do some more searching here too. It was something that they thought would hurt valves when we went to unleaded. I believe it has turned out to be bogus. I think you need to trust the latest information that is supplied by anyone other than those who sell additives . . .

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

Do some more searching here too. It was something that they thought would hurt valves when we went to unleaded. I believe it has turned out to be bogus. I think you need to trust the latest information that is supplied by anyone other than those who sell additives . . .

I own a Custom Millwork shop and can assure you I don?t sell additives:facepalm:
I am however a life long gearhead that hangs out in machine shops pretty regular. I also worked in one. Valve erosion is real... not easy to pinpoint however but very real. I do own 5 vehicles (1 boat) and 3 of which have over 150,000 miles (run like new) and can assure you that good lubricants and additives every so often help a lot. To each there own!

 

[QC]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

Not doubting you joe. It's just something that is not as cut and dried as we would all hope. Heck I used additives when I had my fist boat and they recommended it. They don't anymore. Please understand my comments revolve around the confusion, not any direct response to, or disregard for your experience.

 

[ccarver]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

AWESOME advice everyone. my main concern was that i could still use unleaded fuel, had to make sure i didnt have to find a stash of leaded fuel somewhere I think the best bet would to be to go ahead and use aditives just for the safety of it, whether it dose anything or not its always better to be safe. Like i said, I just purchesed this boat and dont really know were to start. Any ideas on what i should look for on this old of a motor, ignition switch was yanked out so idk how i can go about hotwireing it to see if it will even start (of course i have to put earmuffs on it first)

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

Not doubting you joe. It's just something that is not as cut and dried as we would all hope. Heck I used additives when I had my fist boat and they recommended it. They don't anymore. Please understand my comments revolve around the confusion, not any direct response to, or disregard for your experience.

No offense taken
The problems that I have personally experienced, with motors that I assembled and opperated, took more miles to see valve erosion than most boats see. In both cases 30 to 40k. I then went to hard seats.

Most all new cars have, and have had, alum heads/hard seats for some time now, hence the prob has died........

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

Hey ccarver i have the same motor just a few years on the unleaded side is there a way you can take a close up of the coil pack wires because my new boat was wired wrong and has no spark if you can do that it would help amazingly
thanks ryan

 

[ccarver]

Hey ccarver i have the same motor just a few years on the unleaded side is there a way you can take a close up of the coil pack wires because my new boat was wired wrong and has no spark if you can do that it would help amazingly
thanks ryan

I will do that as soon as possible

Carver

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

thanks cause if i get it running you can pm me any questions you might have. since we basicly have the same boat and motor mine is just bored out bigger to produce 140HP

 

[ccarver]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

thanks cause if i get it running you can pm me any questions you might have. since we basicly have the same boat and motor mine is just bored out bigger to produce 140HP

here are some pictures, let me know if you need more detailed ones and were at.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

thanks man that helps A LOT hopefully whenever i get the new wires (wich are extreamly hard to find) ill have the baby running like new
p.s. just a lil info to help you find parts you cant get most of what you need like points and distributor caps from your local auto store by having them look for the part under a 69 chevy noval 4cyl. its a lot cheaper then having them get the same part at a boat shop for a lot more money. Thats what i am doing its cost me a total of 23.99 for the coil, 7.99 for cap and 13.99 for the plug wires, points would be 4.99 but they replaced those b4 i got the boat. The local boat shop qouted me at 250 for JUST all the parts i listed and there exactly the same and thats not incl labor YOUCH

EDIT: Just make sure you bring the old to compare that its the same.

 

[ccarver]

Awesome, were would you say I should start at.... The ignition wires I have no clue about and I want to test for compression...can I turn it over by hand with rope? And I don't want to turn it over and it actually starting since Idk when could be wrong with it, I'll probably pull the gas line to be safe

Carver

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

thats what i did but what ive always been told is just to set it all up and turn the engine over with the key and see what numbers you get

 

[ccarver]

Sounds good I might Jimmy rig itso the "key switch" its right next to the engine for temporary since all the wrires have been stripped from the dash lol
Carver

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: "leaded fuel only"

Ya what i usually do (well on fords) is jump the solenoid but idk what wire is what on this solenoid, and the Comp for this engine strait from the manual is 145PSI