86 V20 Cuddy 3.7L shakedown run in Norfolk

[1966Mustang]

Took a look into the tank last night - it's about full of fuel - 50+ Gallons.

What is currently set up in there is:
Tank -- Napa F/W separator -- FuelPump Filter -- Carb Filter.

I pulled the carb filter - nothing to mention in there.

Pulled the fuel pump filter - nothing there.

Water separator didn't look like it had water in the fuel

Took a fuel sample from down the bottom of the tank into a glass jar and let it sit overnight... Nothing separated out. Not finding an obvious smoking gun yet.

I do have a napa fuel/water separator - looks like a regular filter, no drain hole. I am going to replace this with one with a drain. Parker/Racor makes one that fits the OEM mercury mount about $50.

In addition to that I am going to get small aux tank to hook up to with known good gas to do a test run. If it runs all right on there, I'll know the fuel in the tank is the issue for sure. This seems like the easiest way to troubleshoot.

If it displays it's issues again, then I'll know I need to dig deeper... plugs, wires (which are new, but wrong style end), take a look at the dizzy.

[chart]

if your not finding anything in your fuel next time it starts sputtering try popping your gas cap its a long shot but maybe a partially clogged vent?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by chart

if your not finding anything in your fuel next time it starts sputtering try popping your gas cap its a long shot but maybe a partially clogged vent?

Chart, that's a damn good suggestion.

Originally Posted by RWilson2526

Good advice from Destroyer but being that you have an I/O and will have to mount fuel filter under the engine hatch I belive USCG does not allow the plastic bowls on fuel filters for that installation.

Rob, I wasn't aware of that. Good to know. Thanks

[chart]

Have you figured out the problem with your boat yet?

[1966Mustang]

Wow - can't believe I've been away from here for nearly 9 months?! I have been lurking though.

Recap from last 2016 post - This last run didn't leave the launch. It was disappointing. I discovered that the wire from the dizzy to coil was shorting on the dizzy housing! Went home. Replaced that wire. Got it running again, headed out, nothing but stalling out. Shift cable out of adjustment? Needed to do some research. Decided it was the shift cable.

On the first start this year, wouldn't start - points glazed (they were new at the last 2016 run). Cleaned up points - fired right up, decided to convert to electronic ignition.

Other things done/replaced this year:
- Pertronix conversion
- Spark plug wires (PO installed wrong ones for the 170...)
- Slave Solenoid
- Horn
- New VHF and Antenna and connected to GPS
- Cleaned up wiring
- New shift cable
- New temp sender
- Replaced upper gear box - discovered old one was leaking into the bellows and was missing a chunk of upper gear which had torn up the seals and inside of housing. Did not find any piece of chunk of gear. I suspect the PO fished it out... And I thought I just was going to replace the shift cable.

Hopefully this weekend I'll find out if I have killed most gremlins. Anyone near Norfolk want to come lend some morale support this weekend? I'll be launching at the Lafayette River Haven Creek launch.

Wish me some luck!

Thanks,

Perry

[spareparts]

here lately, I'm seeing a lot of fuel pickups give problems. I'm finding the plastic pickup tube reacting to fuel and either becoming brittle and breaking off, swelling up and sucking air at the top fitting or completely falling off. Check/replace your fuel pick up in the tank, replace the anti siphon valve and fuel line while your at it. Use A1 rated fuel line, and I use the Sierra 18-7777-1 stainless filter housing with the 18-7945 10 micron filter

[ARERHODES]

We will have to meet up on the river, I'm 1.5 hours from Norfolk but grew up on Lafayette river, family still living in the river. I have an 87 v20 I'm working the kinks out of. Will be towing the boat down there next week to put on lift so I can repaint my trailer. Best of luck.