Hard to start?

wschneid
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Hard to start?

Post by wschneid »

I have a 86 32' FB Sedan with the twin Chrysler 318's. I notice that if the boat sits up for just a few days, it takes a long time to get started. That is true for both engines. What would you guys suggest is a normal cranking time in this situation? It is taking me at least 20 sec with some pumping of the throttle to get started. Any ideas or suggestions. I may need a tune up, but once it gets started, it runs fine.

Bill Schneider
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Busia
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by Busia »

Check if you have gas in the float bowl of the carb. ( pump the throttle, does the accelerator pump squirt gas down the throat of the carb? )
Actually, it is good to crank it awhile if you have the battery and starter that will handle it. Build up oil pressure before it runs. That drains down too.
BUSIA
located in Ketchikan, Alaska. Gods country
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Fastjeff
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by Fastjeff »

Mine did that as well since the gas in the carbs evaporates after sitting.

To get rid of that, I installed a small electric fuel pump to send fuel to the carbs: I used the generator's fuel connection and installed check valves at the carbs. A momentary switch at the dash was used to run the pump.

A bit of work, but it worked slick!

Jeff
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Tuggle
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by Tuggle »

Agree with Busia comment about a long crank to get the oil pressure up. I installed primer bulb's between the tank and the fuel pump, same effect as Jeff's electrics just manual work's great, problem is there is a lot of clatter from the oil draining down from sitting, dry start NOT GOOD! Bulb's are still in place but rarely used, switch the battery selector to both for maximum power. Did install new starter motors from Arco when we did the repower.
"Deplorable", 1975 32' Express, Twin 318's, Raw Water Cooled, Lake Lanier, Ga.
ddependo
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by ddependo »

Mine is the same, but that gives me a excuse to go to the boat two or three times a week to crank it. "Wife, got to go check on the boat, see you later"
Somebody has to do it. Tough job. May have to take a nap while I'm there.
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GB49
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by GB49 »

Similar issue here as well. I'll give each engine a few pumps long before I start just to get some gas moving into the bowl. Also in the habit of a few pumps after running and engines have cooled down. Seems to help keep things primed.
I do like Jeff's electric pump setup!
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seef158
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by seef158 »

Remember these are carbeurated engines guys. Try starting a 1980s or 70s dodge truck when its 20 below out and THAT is a long crank time. 20- 30 seconds is normal as far as im concerned. I wouldnt be concerned with a minute after sitting for a week. 20 soconds cranking, give it a rest for 30 seconds and crank again.
1972 28' express single 318, working on getting the bugs worked out.
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bill
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by bill »

BigM
Fastjeff,
A question. :?:
Are the check valves installed to prevent the mechanical fuel pumps from over riding the electric pump and feeding back to the tank? :?:
bill
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Located on LakeErie
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javalin390
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by javalin390 »

Referring back to one of my previous posts regarding fuel pumps, chances are the check valves in your fuel pump are weak and in addition to your gas evaporating from the float bowl, from the carb down, the fuel will eventually siphon back to the fuel tank. Used to see it a lot on older cars w/ mechanical pumps. Mine is a 1975 and came with the old style re-buildable Carter pumps. A place called Now-and-Then Automotive sells the kits to rebuild them, part # CK-114, including new check's (this is for the Carter with casting number 2504S). After rebuilding mine, even after 2 weeks, they fire right up. Unfortunately the newer pumps with the stamped steel lower half are not rebuildable, you have to throw it away and buy new. But... Summit Racing sells the old style rebuildable Carters. These are listed as "Street/Strip" hi-po units, one pumps @ 6PSI, the other @7.5 PSI, both @ 120 GPH. Not sure if these are over-kill but if you DO need new pumps, I would rather spend the money on a pump that can be rebuilt, over and over, as opposed to the throw away pumps (the rebuild kits are around 50 bucks, new pumps are well over a hundred).
I had considered going the route as FastJeff, utilizing an electric pump, but opted for trying a fresh mechanical pump first, finding the pump's check valves were junk. Honestly the hardest part of doing it isn't the rebuild, but crawling my old, rickety body into the bilge to swap the starboard pump !!

Then-and-Now Auto https://www.then-now-auto.com/fuel-pump-repair-kits/

Carter rebuild video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyiK206YRQU
(Note: the video shows it for a Ford engine, but the Mopar Carter is identical)

https://www.summitracing.com/search/dep ... d%3acarter

Also note that the web site for Then-and-Now is kind of difficult to navigate, so just call them with the part #, CK-114
Jim Elias
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Fastjeff
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Re: Hard to start?

Post by Fastjeff »

..."Are the check valves installed to prevent the mechanical fuel pumps from over riding the electric pump and feeding back to the tank? :?:
bill"

Yes!

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
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