| Author |
Message |
    
Mike Klein
Member
Username: mklein
Post Number: 12
Registered: 06-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, August 30, 2009 - 01:02 pm: | 
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I have an '83 Galaxy Day Cruiser (5.7L OMC) that has original outboard but new 383 stroker.
I am slowly replacing everything on the boat except for the hull and tanks (sigh...). Just added a BlueSea AddABattery (w/2 optima deep cycle)...works great...in addition to an electric fuel pump (removed manual and blocked off).
On a recent outing I again 'died' and thought it 'might' be because I ran out of gas (gauges are another thing I need to replace).
Getting home I noticed fill up of both tanks only produced 15+ gals on p sideand 17 or so on s'board side...I did have gas.
Upon triage I noticed sboard tank doesn't pump gas to carb. I replaced both fuel lines from tank and am still having same problem.
I am about to check actual tank switch valve...but if this is bad I can't see after hours of googling where to get a new one.
Ideas? |
Mike Klein
Member
Username: mklein
Post Number: 13
Registered: 06-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, August 30, 2009 - 11:35 pm: |
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I just spent 2 hours triaging fuel lines and problems are intermittent and I cannot solve them.
I drew thru entire fuel 'chain' except fuel tank switch (thinking this was issue) and was drawing from portable fuel tank. Carb fuel line was in bucket...I see flow.
I hooked it up to port tank (still bypassing switch) and see flow.
Then I hook up sboard side (bypassing switch) and see flow.
I repeat using p/s tanks (bypassing switch) and suddenly there is no flow.
I sucked on p/s tanks directly and got plenty of gas in my mouth.
A friend told me I had wrong fuel/water filter and that an electric fuel pump would solve all my problems...yet I have same issues as I did last summer.
Should flow to carb basically be a small trickle? I presume so.
The engine is a 1yr old 383 stroker and I started it up first crank this morning and when I switched to tank that failed me on the water engine died. Since this morning it won't start due to fuel delivery issues.
I am thinking next step (other than selling the damn thing) is to run entire fuel system thru portable tank and check for flow...then hook up line to carb and it should start.
What typically goes wrong in older aluminum tanks that I may need to replace (anti-siphon)? Give I can suck both tanks from hose I guess there's nothing wrong here.
Could my fuel pump be a POS? I bought it only a few months ago. It is a standard Delco model or something.
Sorry for any tone in post...but I am extremely frustrated haven been out 30 times and broken down 3. I've spent > $12k for 30 rides and 3 breakdowns...not a happy camper. |
Bob Hill
Senior Member
Username: boatin_bob
Post Number: 1399
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 09:56 am: |
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Is it possible to draw a diagram showing how all this is actually plumbed as I assume you can't take any pics as most of it would be under the floor? How about a pic of this valve, is it really automatic or is it something you have to manually turn so you can draw from one tank or the other or both? |
Mike Klein
Member
Username: mklein
Post Number: 14
Registered: 06-2008
| | Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 11:47 am: |
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Electric fuel tank switch would've been better wording...it's not automatic as I must flip an electrical switch (on-off-on) for tank selection.
I can take pics in like 5 more days as I am going home for now. |
Bob Hill
Senior Member
Username: boatin_bob
Post Number: 1400
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 01:01 pm: |
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ok Mike....just asking but are you sure the actual valve is electric? Reason I ask is I have seen boats with 2 fuel tanks and only 1 fuel gauge and they have a switch on the dash but all it does is switch the sender lines going to the gauge. |
Mike Klein
Member
Username: mklein
Post Number: 15
Registered: 06-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 02:35 pm: |
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Here is layout:
I have 2 aluminum tanks which feed to a 'switch' controlled by toggle on console.
The 'switch' feeds my Delco fuel pump which has 74 micron on intake.
The fuel pump feeds a Walmart fuel/water separator on bracket.
Fuel/water separator runs to carburetor.
My tanks appear to be aluminum but there is odd fiberglass "band" going full perimeter of tanks right in middle...not sure what this is but it appears to be 1" or so wide f'glass strip.
I will send pictures once I get back to boat in 3 or so days. |
Mike Klein
Member
Username: mklein
Post Number: 16
Registered: 06-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 07:01 pm: |
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After talking with speed shop who built my engine...they say I am apparently running an inadequate fuel pump.
I have a purolator 04sv (or 06sv) which is only 1.5-4psi (or 4-7) @ 25 (or 32) gph.
Speed shop is recommending $140 sx perf pump which is 6.5psi @ 120gph.
Does this ring true to anybody?
When fuel did flow it was always a small trickle and not super steady stream.
My neighbor thinks at high speed I was essentially draining my fuel/water separator tank and then cutting out.
I never ran at high speed when this occured always shutting down or throttling down radically...could I have blown a piston already?
As I just rebuilt engine this w/be....I think you all know...very depressing. |
Bob Hill
Senior Member
Username: boatin_bob
Post Number: 1406
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 07:56 pm: |
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Your fuel pressure should be around 5 1/2 - 7 psi. Do a compression test if you think you have a bad piston. |
Mike Klein
Member
Username: mklein
Post Number: 17
Registered: 06-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 07:42 pm: |
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How easily should I be able to suck (my mouth) fuel thru either p/s tank?
I have tank selector valve in way...and I am switching it with ignition on and watching fuel gauge needle bounce.
Sboard seems easier to draw from but it's a dribble. Port side even less.
I can't imagine an electric fuel pump (mine is 120gph) being able to prime the line with this seemingly incredible force (to me).
Should I ensure my fuel/water filter/can is primed also when putting in an electric fuel pump?
Is a mechanical pump still recommended or is electric alone ok?
Next weekend when I am up again I will bypass fuel tank selector and see if flow is better straight from tank.
thanks for assistance. |
