Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

[rbezdon]

I just thought I would post a positive post for a change. I spent a good chunk of this week end and last actually boating!! For those of you that have followed my posts through the new engine, bogging, cam project, conversion to electronic ignition, ESA/shift issues and finally the big hesitation, I am finally running pretty much the way a 5.7 should. I can get 4500 to 4600 RPM WOT at 50+MPH and idle and even shift from forward to reverse to dock, fuel, trailer etc. It was actually fun to boat. I even volunteered to tow a little league on the tube for 4 hours and not a single hiccup!! Thanks to all who helped with ideas and support. I have been trying to stay on the site to help others with what I learned and what you all taught me to give back a little oif what I got. I have been pleased to see a couple of solutions come out of it.<br /><br />Thanks again for ther help and I'll be out here to pitch in (hopefully NOT to need more help).

 

[KaGee]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

Good Deal! <br /><br />Now if I can get my bug worked out, boat life will be good!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

100 dollars worth of gas?? wow next time you can take it off the trailer and go boating .<br /> good job on the repairs, makes all the aggrevation worthwhile when it finally works. now if gas will go back to affordable we can all have fun .

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

good to hear it's right and running good!! 100 bucks---1/4 tank for me

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

Thanks guys!!<br /><br />$100 doesnt go far in a boat. I spent quite a bit of time in the sweet spot around 25 to 30 MPH (2800 RPM or so) so at least I got some miles. I figured I averaged almost 3 miles a gallon. I was pretty pleased for the 5.7 Qjet and even pulling some small kids on the tube part of the time. I cant imagine what it is like for you guys with dual 5.7s if you get on it. Premium on the water here is like $3.39. You guys with dual engines and 100+ gallons must be millionaires to even consider WOT!! I know my old owners manual rated my 5.0 at 19 gallons an hour at 45MPH. That is in the range of $1.00 a minute and not even WOT. Double that would just be... well I guess you know, you pay the gas tab!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> Good Deal! <br /><br />Now if I can get my bug worked out, boat life will be good!

I'm wicha on that, KaGee!

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

KaGee, the best thing for bugs is to step on em.<br /><br />Good luck and if I could help ya I'd be right over but Toledo isnt righ around the corner but who knows, I got a head hunter guy trying to convince me to take a VP job with GE in Cleveland. Think I like Chicago better though.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

great news Ron...<br /><br />My 3.8 seems to be back in order too - The Pertronix seems to have fixed the lousy running issue - the new Rapair ESA is working great too.<br />My idle was so rough before, I didn't notice the non functioning ESA, but after the ignition repair, couldn't get it out of gear....<br /><br />Then my float was sticking and flooding me out at idle... I just lifted the top off the carb.. bent the float a tiny bit - flapped it up and down 50 times and it seems to work fine now...<br /><br />I accidently started it once tilted and now my ball gears are noisy...<br /><br />are they that sensitive to being tilted...<br /><br />or maybe that's pinging? with the new ignition - set it at 8 degrees (I think - my timing numbers are gone, but made an educated guess based on sawteeth of the pointer)<br /><br />oops didn't mean to hijack this one...

 

[KaGee]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

Not to hi-jack... but... Hystat... which pertronix?? I called them and they said there was none for the 3.8 w/Prestolite Dist. <br /><br />Ron... thanks for the offer. My "bug" I'd like to squash is a random stalling issue while in gear at 1000 RPM or lower. The thing runs great for a while the all of a sudden it dies. I have not been able to isolate that yet. I thought I found it as my distributor cap came loose and was cocked. But, it did it again the next time out. <br /><br />Been reading up on the switch adjustments. When the weather breaks, that's my next area of investigation.

 

[ottawamerc]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

Now that the season is nearing a close were getting these boat bugs fixed!! Lets all hope that when we turn the keys next year that we can post a success----here's hoping<br />This is a great forum, with lots of help<br /><br />Ottawa

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

That's exactly what mine was doing, Keith...almost me stranded even...luckily at the locks beside a boat ramp.. trailered it home<br /><br />Finally I caught the bugger... I whipped off my flame arrester right after it stalled and I see fuel POURING down the barrels... this started happenning after I poured some fuel treatment in - guess it loosened some crud in the float and stuck it...<br /><br />The pertronix I bought is here:<br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=7991634980&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT <br /><br />It works fine- with my old coil even... I checked my coil and it is 1.8 ohms which the kit says must be over 1.5<br /><br />Then I bought the compatible Rapair ESA from boatfix, make sure you get the electronic ignition compatible one (with a "P" at the end of the part number I think). I had to chop the one connector off and reuse the connector from the OMC ESA, but easy install other than that.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

KaGee, sounds like a carb issue to me too. hystat found his now its your turn. Take her out, run till it stalls and look in the throat of the carb. If a lot of fuel, redo the float and needle. If no fuel flowing have some one pump the throttle a few times to work the accelerator pump. Watch down the throats (I am assuming you left it stalled and switched the ignition off). If the accelerator pump pumps nothing, no gas coming into the carb. If normal gas pumping and no fuel flowing, check the spark. It has just gotts be one of these things!! Good luck. <br /><br />By the way, you should be in Chicago. The last 2 week ends were the best weather for boating I have ever had. Low 80s day, low humidity. Low to mid 70 at night light breeze. 100% clear skys, could see every star there is (it seemed). Fantastic!! And like I said the best part was riding in the boat as oposed to fixin it. Sounds like Toledo weather isnt cooperating. Although, in a couple of months you'll definately have the advantage weather-wise.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Used a $100 worth of gas and still running

Ron & Hy...<br /><br />The carb was new... 3 years ago... and had only about 3 hours on it... After the first trial run I tore it down and cleaned it up, put a kit in it even though it really did not need it. Float adjusted to factory spec. <br /><br />No noticable excessive fuel flow after stall the second time. But I'll be sure to check it out if it happens again. Definetly looking into the Pertronix mod. Thanks Hystat