Starter Problem??

[gldavison]

Hi- my 76' Mercruiser 888 w/Ford 302 v8, is having trouble starting and I think it is the starter. Here are the symptoms;
1-Starter cranks engine but seems to hit a flat spot where it slows its cranking down and then gets past and speeds up again.

2-Battery voltage drops from 12.5 volts to 4.4 volts while cranking.

Wire connections all seem snug and clean, new battery. I give! Can anyone give me some helpful advice?
I had posted previously getting help in getting this old girl up and running as it is a new boat for me and I thank you all for your advice.
I did get the engine running twice. Once very rough and rich and a second time weeks later after adjusting the timing to a smooth idle, I thought I had won. Now I can not get it to even fire while trying to crank. There is somemore history for you to digest.

Thank you all for your helpfulness in my problem.
Greg
Sturgeon Bay, WI

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter Problem??

Pull all the spark plugs and crank the engine and see if any water comes out of any spark plug holes.
Also look at the spark plugs for signs of water or rust.

 

[gldavison]

Re: Starter Problem??

Thanks for the reply Don but there is no signs of water in any of the cylinders. The boat has not been in the water for 10 years. I really think I am getting a unwanted draw of power from someplace.
Thanks,
Greg

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter Problem??

Dry bearings in the engine from no use.
Rust in the cylinder walls, again from condensation & rust after 10 years of storage.
Corroded battery cables ends (where the wire meets the terminal end of the cable)

Lots of possiblilities with boats stored that many years.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Starter Problem??

Classic symptom of overadvanced timing, start it up and check timing, there's probably nothing wrong with the stater.

 

[gldavison]

Re: Starter Problem??

thanks Don and Eliminator for your advice. If the timing is advanced how would it have gotten that way? Like I say it was running real smooth and then the next time I went to start it to show off to my wife, it did start but took some work. Since then I have not been able to get it running. Should I advance or retard the timing and experiment with it as I try to start her up?

I am so bummed as I thought I had this baby licked now I back to just being discouraged as I really wanted to have this boat out once this season. Not looking like that is going to happen.

Thanks for your help once agian. Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Greg