I have a 1977 Chris Craft Sportsman 25' fiberglass boat. Has twin GM 181 FL Marine Power Engines with 2bbl Rochester carbs. According to my research, Chris Craft built these engines using a standard 3.0L block...could be wrong though. Have the old Paragon gears. Port engine has just over 500 hours and the starboard has about 650 hours. Last summer had boat out pulling a tuber and when stopped the switched riders, starboard engine would not start up very easy. Turned over really hard and draw must have been quite high on battery, because would almost stall the other engine. Finally did start, but ran like it was under extreme load- no more tubing. Limped it back to the dock. Got it started one more time that summer and it barely started and at idle it felt like there was high resistance somewhere. Also noticed there was water dripping out near bottom of bell housing...popped soft plug, may be an unrelated problem.
Things I have checked:
Looking for any suggestions on what to try next. Is it time to pull and rebuild?
Thanks!
Things I have checked:
- Took out all 4 plugs and turned over (thinking maybe water on top of cylinder due to old leaking copper head gasket). No water shot out and did not turn over any easier.
- Checked compression. All within 10 psi of 150.
- Starter rebuilt season before and was working great. Fairly confident it is not this.
- Changed oil and filter. Cut filter looking for metal shavings indicating a spun bearing, but filter was clean. I did notice the oil had some gas in it and level was high. Replaced oil and filter and no change in how it turned over.
- On the note of gas in oil- I rebuilt the old carter style fuel pump thinking bad diaphragm- no holes on inspection, but put back on when oil was changed.
Looking for any suggestions on what to try next. Is it time to pull and rebuild?
Thanks!