mercruiser 3.0 alpha one acceleration

kampammam

Recruit
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
2
I have a 1990 alpha 1 mercruiser 3.0 in my rinker 180...it acts like it's only getting half throttle...will eventually get on plane when by myself, but when i tow even my 80 lb daughter on a wake board, it doesn't have enough power to get up on a plane. carb has been rebuilt. fuel/water filter seperater installed, electronic ignition installed, new plugs, octane boost, fuel stabil. clean fuel...it starts and idles just fine. no hesitation upon acceleration...just never seems to get full power...checked for cable adjustment on carb. it's giving full throttle. any ideas? fuel pump? going to check fuel pressure...not using oil, and oil is clean as a whistle...

If i keep having problems, I'm thinking of just going to a bigger motor. Is there a bigger motor that will mate to the out drive? what motor change would be the best besides going back to low power at best... thank you....signed frustrated...I'm only using the boat for skiing and wake boarding and cruising with family
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tschmidty

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
462
Re: mercruiser 3.0 alpha one acceleration

What type of rpms are you getting? Top speed?

Check to make sure the distributor is advancing the timing, any chance the shunt for the distirbutor was left on (I am assuming it is an electronic distributor being a 1990)? If it is/was a points type distributor make sure the weights are free to advance the ignition. Electronic ignition in a points type distibutor controls dwell but not timing.

Changing a motor in a boat is not really worthwhile and if you get that 3.0 running well it should do what you want it to.
 

6meter

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 15, 2010
Messages
525
Re: mercruiser 3.0 alpha one acceleration

Three thoughts came to mind. One was mentioned, prop size/pitch. Second is a bit more involved. Could your deck and foam below the deck be loaded with water? That could add about 500lbs to the boat. Is this a new problem. Did the boat run faster and better before or is this a new to you boat? Changing a motor is real pricey and involved.
 
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