88 3.7 mercruiser

saltlife728 · #1 03-25-2011, 04:05 PM

So the other day when I was out on the water I had the engine out on full throttle when I heard a pinning noise comming from the top of the engine. I talked to one of my good buddys and he said that it was because my timming was all wrong. I bought the tune up kit for the ignition and a new coil with new wires. I didnt change out the plugs since the plugs were brand new. after having everything hooked up the motor will crank but I cant get it to start. I took out all the plugs and and turned over the motor and I am getting spark on all cylinders. What else could this be.

THEFERMANATOR · #2 03-25-2011, 04:13 PM

Are you sure you got the plug wires back in the correct firing order? Did you check teh timing? Is it points or electronic ignition?

spareparts · #3 03-25-2011, 05:29 PM

make sure the points are making contact, do yourself a favor and put a pertronix ignition kit in it, you'll thank me later

saltlife728 · #4 03-25-2011, 10:52 PM

yea I have the wires in the correct order. And it is points. I gapped the points right. Also I am getting enough fuel.

saltlife728 · #5 03-26-2011, 01:09 AM

does anyone think that it could be the kill switch?

chart · #6 03-26-2011, 02:11 AM

How old is the gas if it had e-gas it may have sepperated

saltlife728 · #7 03-26-2011, 04:32 AM

filled up at the end of last season and then put fuel stablaizer in it. should be fine it was running last weekend.

spareparts · #8 03-26-2011, 07:01 AM

make sure the points are making contact, pull the distributor cap off, turn the key switch on, have some one spin the motor over, you should see the points "sparking", if not, recheck your point gap, clean the contact surfaces with a point file or a piece of sand paper.

saltlife728 · #9 03-26-2011, 07:15 PM

So I tried to run it some more today and I was getting spark on all cylinders. Adjusted the timming and it seemed like it wanted to fire over. But it just seems like the battery dosent have enough juice to get it going. I even hooked it up to my truck and got the same thing. Would the starter be causing this or the alternator?

step up here · #10 03-26-2011, 09:35 PM

maybe you should consider taking your rig to a marine repairman in your town. please dont take this the wrong way. but as of now i think you would be better off. am sure its a simple inexpensive repair.