77 SkiTique gasohol carb conundrum
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=41644
Printed Date: May-17-2024 at 6:37am
Topic: 77 SkiTique gasohol carb conundrum
Posted By: francoamerican
Subject: 77 SkiTique gasohol carb conundrum
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 5:42pm
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So I found the boat of my dreams last year - '77 SkiTique, Ford 302. Looks like a parade boat and been running great too. Until this weekend. Usually takes a squirt of starting fluid to light, but this weekend no dice.. Crank and crank and just burns the ether and sputters out. Nobody seems to want to work on these. New Jersey ethanol gas is at fault I'm pretty sure. After talking to a bunch of folks, i'm wondering if it's not better to replace the carb with one of these Summit Racing injectors for 800 bucks https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fif-30003?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-fitech-fuel-injection&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqvvLBRDIARIsAMYuvBGgu485x_L2a7PJ3BUMLwoZL-nmQXPz28wFDoL02dl9QLshqGqfWT0aAmRCEALw_wcB If so, has anyone had experience doing this? What's the difficulty level and is it something I should be able to do on my own? Pretty handy mechanically, but never done a fuel system teardown before. Thanks all! |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 6:03pm
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Franco, I suggest confirming the cause of the lack of fuel before jumping in on a conversion that will be difficult to say the least. What's the fuel pressure from the fuel pump? Is the anti siphon plugged? Is the screen in the carb plugged? Is the screen in the tank plugged? Is the vent to the tank plugged? When was the carb rebuilt last? I also wouldn't be so quick to blame ethanol fuel. I've been running it since it came out and have NEVER had a problem!! BTW, you are ruining your engine with the starting fluid! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: francoamerican
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 6:16pm
| Thanks for that very helpful response, Pete! I will try to diagnose it as you suggested. I concluded the gasohol caused the problem, since it was suggested by the CC dealer I bought the boat from. I think I'll need a mobile mechanic to come check it out at my dock, But that's part of the problem since nobody here (NJ coast) seems to want to look at it. BTW - it looks just like yours, with a beautiful new gel coat and upholstery and I really just want to get her back in the water. Good to know about the ether too. I'll stop that pronto. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 6:34pm
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Franco, We'd all love to see some pictures when you get a chance. Also, keep us informed as you take a look at the potential issues that are causing the problem. Regarding the ethanol, I find that it's an overused and easy excuse for engine problems. Yes, even dealers use it!!  ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: francoamerican
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 6:43pm
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Thanks, Pete Here are a few Insta shots: https://www.instagram.com/p/BWI5wM1DjOV/?taken-by=franco.american https://www.instagram.com/p/BGhuf5WTdmi/?taken-by=franco.american https://www.instagram.com/p/BSzUlBMDzG_/?taken-by=franco.american https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYqagmjNnB/?taken-by=franco.american |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 7:07pm
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWI5wM1DjOV/?taken-by=franco.american" rel="nofollow - Direct link 1 https://www.instagram.com/p/BGhuf5WTdmi/?taken-by=franco.american" rel="nofollow - Direct link 2 https://www.instagram.com/p/BSzUlBMDzG_/?taken-by=franco.american" rel="nofollow - Direct link 3 https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYqagmjNnB/?taken-by=franco.american" rel="nofollow - Direct link 4 Looks great! Keep the heat stamped vinyl is good shape. You can't get it anymore. I wish I had it in my 77. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
francoamerican wrote:Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 10:06pm
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You might want to rule out an ignition problem. If starting fluid isn't firing, probably not a fuel issue IMO. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 11:15pm
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Don't dismiss the gasohol Pete. A lot of guys on the east coast have Shamrock's -quite a few of them have problems with separation. I think it's the different formulations for the different areas of the country. I filled up the Mustang in Florida that year CCF went to the Mt Dora boat show. It sat for 3 months and dissolved the tank liner. Used the same product in my MG and 8n Ford for years here and they are fine. It was fine in the Mustang for years before too. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: francoamerican
Date Posted: July-31-2017 at 11:18pm
| Thanks, but I think we ruled out ignition since ether would fire and then she starved out, so I'm thinking more fuel. |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-01-2017 at 9:26am
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Does the carb squirt gas down throat when you pump throttle (engine off)? If not, start looking at pump, filter, lines, antisiphon valve, tank vent, pickup screen. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Lakeview
Date Posted: August-01-2017 at 9:56am
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I live and boat in New Jersey-ALWAYS use startron or sta-bil,when adding fresh gas,I have seen what it does to carbs and gaskets when no additive is used ------------- Lakeview 1992 Barefoot Nautique 1967 Barracuda SS 1967 Chris Craft Cavalier |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: August-02-2017 at 7:44am
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I hate ethanol fuels. I don't get too excited about driving 17 miles each way to buy E0, but I never deal with a lot of crummy operating issues on boats, small engines, etc. Gas is plentiful. Why mine the soils for ethanol? |
Posted By: francoamerican
Date Posted: August-08-2017 at 3:09pm
| OK - folks, thanks so much for your kind and generous help. Going to try sleuthing this with a mechanic this weekend. Assuming nothing untoward (no clogs, fuel pump OK, clean lines, etc.), Meanwhile, have any of you guys or gals converted an old carbed engine to EFI? Something like this? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fif-30003 - says it should only take a few hours to swap from a 4-bbl. |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: August-08-2017 at 3:19pm
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Franco - that's a can of worms.... Our boats don't allow for an O2 sensor reference, and the power/performance curves are different than you would find in a car. There have been some guys who have done the EFI thing, but I don't think its for the faint of heart, and the install time.... minimal compared to the tuning time. Also, don't run too lean, you can grenade a motor in no time flat if it decides to detonate. |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: August-08-2017 at 3:20pm
| Wow that's a nice price for a turnkey throttle body Fuel injection system--wonder myself if it works! Might be the answer for Protec system failures if you combine it with a DUI distributor/ignition system. |
Posted By: francoamerican
Date Posted: August-08-2017 at 3:24pm
| Thank you @dreaming. I was afraid of that. I'm just getting so frustrated that NO ONE seems to want to work on this baby. All the MM guys seem to want to touch are new outboards. Ugh. You'd think this would be simple. No EFI to sleuth etc. |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: August-08-2017 at 3:34pm
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Hopefully you find someone soon.... sucks to be in a spot where you don't have any help on a frustrating problem. Carb rebuilds and tuning should be fairly simple for an old school muscle car guy, are there any of those in your area? Your 302/351 is not going to be strange to a car guy, except for the cooling system and the marinization parts. If you just want to do a carb rebuild, there is a guy on the Mastercraft team talk site that does Holley rebuilds for about $200 (exchange) if it's a carb problem, that should fix it. His screen name is ThatsMrMastercraft. (peter). most of the inboard boats have similar engine gear in them, so another inboard enthusiast in your area might be able to help as well. Joe in NY comes to mind as someone to talk with to find good help in your area. He hasn't been around much lately, but is a knowledgeable engine guy, and probably knows other knowledgeable guys to glean from or pay to have your boat repaired. |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-08-2017 at 7:56pm
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Maybe there is a hot rod club in your area. Anybody that builds a Hrod can deal with a Holley. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: francoamerican
Date Posted: September-24-2017 at 9:30am
| Folks - just wanted to thank you all for your generous help here. I found a mobile mechanic here on Long Beach Island NJ who was happy to take a trip out to diagnose and fix my problem. He determined that my carb needed a cleanout and fuel pump was failing. Both of the situations were resolved and she's running like a champ once again! Turning about 3850 at full throttle, which on the (obviously inaccurate) speedo is right around 44MPH. Is that where I should be? Thanks again, Francoman. |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: September-24-2017 at 2:18pm
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Don't know what you have for a prop on it now, but the engine would be happier somewhere in the 4000 to 4500 rpm range at full throttle. Your tach could be reading low though too, so I'd check the RPM's with something like a timing light with a built in tach first to verify what the RPM's are. |
Posted By: francoamerican
Date Posted: September-24-2017 at 2:46pm
Thanks a mil @KENO. I will check actual RPM with light and prop to suit (prolly next season as we're rapidly drawing to a close here in the northeast). 
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