Starting problems merc 888 ford 302-V8 1977

[theitguy]

Hi

I am having issues with starting my Ford 302 -V8 Inboard/outboard Mecruiser 188 Horsepower engine on my 17' Aquarius Invader bowrider.

Originally last season the choke would not close properly when the engine was cold last summer and I had to use a pipe to close it and then after many crankings it would start and I would pull the pipe off. Then it ran fine for the weekend and started every time.
Then upon returning to the boat the following weekend the same problem it would not start.

I talked to a engine mechanic and he told me to adjust the bimetal spring on the choke until it closes the choke in cold weather. I did that. It now is closed when cold and opens up when heating up and warm.

I also suspected the fuel pump was not keeping the pressure and thus siphoning out the fuel from the immediate vicinity of the 2 BBL carb.
I therefore put a manual hand pump on the feed line. This allows me to pump it up to the carb and ensure fuel delivery which I can see when I press the fuel delivery tab on the right of the carb and it now squirts gas no problems.

I also found that the ignition coil was leaking a hydraulic type oil and changed that. Done.
I also changed all the plugs and checked the compression on each cylinder and they are reporting in around 100 to 115psi on each.

I also changed the battery for a new Nautilus marine 1000 amp crank power battery as all that cranking was killing my battery.

The hard starting issue is still persisting.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Starting problems merc 888 ford 302-V8 1977

Ignition, fuel and air are all that is required. You haven't said anything about the points and dwell, the timing, age of your ignition wires or whether your carb is squirting gas with it's accelerator pump. It also sounds as if your compression is on the low side but that should not keep it from starting.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Starting problems merc 888 ford 302-V8 1977

Welcome to iboats......
How long have you owned the boat & how well does it run when it finally starts?........​

 

[theitguy]

Re: Starting problems merc 888 ford 302-V8 1977

Once the boat is started it runs well without a problem and for the whole weekend it starts on the first attempt.

I have owned the boat since last October so it is new to me.
As for Dwell Tach and timing... I have not exhausted these yet but I was thinking to go down that route next as soon as I find my old timing light and dwell tach meter.

I didn't think that if the motor starts and runs fine when it does start that it would still have an issue with timing. It runs smoothly and starts no problems even cold once it has been started for the first time at the beginning of the weekend for the rest of it until the next weekends first troublesome starting session.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Starting problems merc 888 ford 302-V8 1977

You do pump the throttle twice & set it at about 1/3 before initial start after it has sat?.....
It just sounds like you don't have any fuel until it pumps up there.....
I have the same set up & that is what works for me.....
Is your cold start procedure similar?......​

 

[theitguy]

Re: Starting problems merc 888 ford 302-V8 1977

I have inspected the points if your referring to the distributor cap points and they are clean and there are no misfires evident on the inside of the distributor points.

the guy who owned it before me had changed the distributor to points.

I was going to change the spark plug wires as I am not sure of their age. that was one of my next steps.

the carb is squirting gas as I had stated when the throttle is pushed forward into starting position.

How much compression should I be getting in this type of V-8 engine per cylinder???

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Starting problems merc 888 ford 302-V8 1977

A complete tune up can't hurt at this point. However the non initial starting sure sounds like a fuel delivery issue.


Next time before you try to start it, after it has sat for a prolonged period Remove the flame arrestor and pump the throttle, if you do not see the accelerator pump squirting fuel into the carb you have a drain back problem.