OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

[nocturnaloxygen]

well guys I took my boat to the lake, everything on the boat works fine, the engine cranked right up with no problems. As I put it in gear the boat went foward no problems, but when I applied throttle to the engine the boat went faster, but It seemed to be struggling to achieve speed... Any advice?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

well guys I took my boat to the lake, everything on the boat works fine, the engine cranked right up with no problems. As I put it in gear the boat went foward no problems, but when I applied throttle to the engine the boat went faster, but It seemed to be struggling to achieve speed... Any advice?

Not much info to go on here nocturnal. Need rpm information, need to remind us what your motor is pushing, did it run rough or smooth, etc. Were you the one that had compression in the low 100's?

 

[nocturnaloxygen]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

no i was not the one with low compression. when at idel the engine was smooth almost didn't hear it. when I got up to speed it sounded like something was holding me back The engine wasn't running rough though, With my RPM guage bouncing around i think it was around 2000. i wonder if it's a fuel issue. Maybe it's getting to much fuel. I'm not sure what you mean by what i was pushing, but i'll assume it was HP 175.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

If you don't trust your tach readings, you need to find a friend that has a DMM with tach function. Clamp around plug wire and read while at idol, and watch the readout as you got to WOT. Find out what you've got and I'm sure someone here will be able to offer suggestions.

What are the trim settings (if any)? Trimmed wrong the boat will definitely 'lug' with the added resistance. It might help to find out what diam/pitch your prop is. Incorrect prop size can lug the engine too.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

I'm not sure what you mean by what i was pushing, but i'll assume it was HP 175.

Size of boat nocturnalO.

What carb is on the motor? Holley 2bbl? Do the venturis look wet when the motor is at an idle?

2k rpm at full throttle? I'd sure find an answer b4 I drove it again. That motor should turn about 46-4800 at WOT.

You sure you did not still have the trailer attached? If it was starving for fuel, it would have died at full throttle.

 

[nocturnaloxygen]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

well there is no trim on this boat, although it had a set of trim tabs at one time but they were taken off. The boat was shaking up a storm at full throttle
( was i suppose to take the trailer off??) LOL ..... Ok it's an 18' fiberform, I do have a holly 2bbl. The boat also came with 2 props I'm assuming that they are the original because they are both the same size.. I was looking through my Seloc manual and they mentioned something about engine surge? or maybe excessive fuel consumption. I really need to get some sort of trim on the boat I can tell you that, any suggestions about trim? sorry about all the questions

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

Were you kidding about the boat shaking? What are your prop pitches and diameters, especially the one you were using? Pitch and Dia are usually stamped on the side or end of the hub.

Holley carbs use a vacuum operated powervalve to enrichen the motor at higher demand. The powervalve is a diaphram that can become ruptured if the engine backfires. Once done the ruptured diaphram just pours in fuel, especially at an idle. That is why you need to look down the venturis at an idle. If it looks soaking wet, as opposed to dry, you've got a powervalve issue.

That is just one thing among many possibilities. A seloc manual is not going to be the big help here. You just need to start from A to Z with basic engine mechanics. Compression, timing, plug wire and rotor shape. Your distrib is a mechanical advance distrib. If it is not advancing at throttle, this could cause a problem. You can verify this with a timing light.

Just remember not to run your engine without water.

I doubt that trim is your issue. You can check on that later. You did have an OMC Stringer, did you not?

Two tools that would be your best friend, with a boat are these.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93984

http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/digphottac.html

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

I saw on a previous post of yours thet this boat had been sitting for a few years. You will probably need to rebuild the carb, as well as going over all the systems top to bottom as Boomyal said starting with a compression test, fuel sytem, ignition, cooling, etc. All need to be checked for corrosion, deterioration of hoses/parts and proper settings. Sorry to say, but I don't think you're going to get away with anything less.

And for your trim issues, have a good look at a set of Smart Tabs. I'll be getting a set for my 18' Cal Glass w/OMC 175 shortly. Read nothing but good things about them and the owner/designer is a member of this board and is allways excellent with customer support.

 

[nocturnaloxygen]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

Ok i'll get to work on the motor, as for the Prop.. The one I have on the boat says 14x14. the extra one I have is a 14x16

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

Your propeller selection is proper. That 14 x 14 would be a 'power' prop for your boat and with the 175 hp in an 18 ft boat, you should be able to turn in the high 4's at WOT. That 175 ought to scoot that 18 ftr right along.

Are you sure your boat is not waterlogged ie, carrying tons of extra weight below the floor with soaking wet foam? Even then, I'd think you could easily exceed 2k rpm.

You can worry about checking your static trim after you get the engine sorted out. Basically the trim is set with washers in the motor mount feet. Once you verify that it is shimmed to a 'neutral' position, then you go with the Smart Tabs.

 

[nocturnaloxygen]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

I hate to ask this but how would I find out if the boat is waterlogged? There is a soft spot in the middle of the floor.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

Make a hole! I'd use a hole saw and cut in the middle of your soft spot. Then you can core out a piece of foam to check for water. If the foam is ok, cut a couple of more holes just outside the soft area. What you find will tell you how far you're going to have to go to repair or replace.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Ford 302... NO POWER

I hate to ask this but how would I find out if the boat is waterlogged? There is a soft spot in the middle of the floor.

I'd see if I could get the boat on a scale first. Once you have the total weight, trailer and boat, you could figure out how heavy you are. Soft spots in floors are not a good sign, but I still doubt that would be the reason can't get past 2k rpm.