noob needs help - Ford 351 starter solenoid

[zio228]

I jsut purchased a boat w/ a rebuilt 351 that has less than 20 hours on it & hasn't been started in over a year. I hooked up a fresh battery, and the starter didn't go. The solenoid was making an ugly clicking sound (not like when a car battery is too low to crank the starter). At least I think it's the solenoid - it's remotely mounted behind the carb. And there's a white thing (long rectangle) mounted next to it w/ two leads. No idea what that is.

All wiring, connections, etc look good. Can anyone help? I've wrenched on dirtbikes & outboards forever. And I do all my own fluid changes & basic stuff like brakes, etc on my cars. But I don't know squat about "real" motors.

I'm going down to Kragen tonight to get a new solenoid & we'll see if that's all it is. Anyone have any ideas or help?

 

[Don S]

Re: noob needs help - Ford 351 starter solenoid

Is this 351 a Mercruiser, OMC, Volvo, and what year, model number, serial numbers or anything?

 

[zio228]

Re: noob needs help - Ford 351 starter solenoid

None of the above... didn't recognize/can't remember the mfr. However, I installed new solenoid & it turns over fine now. Still won't start, but I don't think it's getting fuel. Must be a clogged fuel line or jet in the carb (these carbs have jetting similar to 2-stroke carbs, right?). It has a 1/4 tank of gas that's been sitting for over a year.

Slowly but surely I'm getting there!