| Author |
Message |
    
Ron McInnis
New member
Username: mciron9
Post Number: 2
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 01:56 pm: | 
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I have a 1966 century, powered by a ford 289.
Towards the end of last year, it began idling erratically, and only starts when flooded with choke.
I removed the carb, and had it run on another engine, no problem. Idles perfectly.
I suspect that the problem lies in the mallory ignition. This is a points ignition, that uses a ballast resistor. I seem to recall that flood to start is symptomatic of a ignition problem, but my memory fails me on this. I cleaned and gapped the points, put in new plugs, checked cap, and installed new rotor,. Cranking speed is good, but doesn't fire until I manually push on the choke. Then it slows and fires up. Any theorys on this? |
Fastjeff
Senior Member
Username: fastjeff
Post Number: 5829
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 09:54 pm: |
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1. Define "push on the choke".
2. Pull the coil wire from the distributor and lay it on the manifold. Crank it over. Do you get a half inch long BLUE spark? If orangy. or less than a half inch (blue), then the coil is bad or something else is wrong.
Jeff
PS: Flooded engines require MORE spark, not less. |
Ron McInnis
Member
Username: mciron9
Post Number: 9
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 07:27 am: |
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The boat is an inboard runabout,engine behind operators seat. I reach back, and push on the choke manually to fully closed.2 bbl Carter.
The ignition circuit goes through the solenoid switch,then the coil,which has some kind of external resistor, to the distributor points, and the ballast resistor. Runs rough at idle, runs out strong at any speed over 1300 rpm.
Cranking spark seems weak, but gets strong when revs go up. Starter is strong, no dragging.Compression is 165 lbs across the board.
This thing sounded mean at idle, before the problem started. If I shut it off hot, it still needs choke to restart.
Ron. |
Fastjeff
Senior Member
Username: fastjeff
Post Number: 5835
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 12:24 pm: |
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Carb needs help for sure. A two barrel! I'd whip the manifold off and slap on a good 4 barrel manifold with a Holley before night fall!
A two barrel... Sheesh!
Jeff |
James E. Harris
Member
Username: engineguy68
Post Number: 11
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 09:36 pm: |
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I think you should check the intake manifold gaskets. Any leakage will really affect the idle but will not be noticed off idle. Also will affect the starting mixture. If it isn't the gaskets, it might be PCV Valve that has gone bad. Any vacuum leak will make it require choke for starting because the leak weakens the mixture. Don't rush to a 4 barrel setup. If the engine is cammed and set up for the two barrel, a 4 barrel won't help much and will probably use a lot more fuel. |
Ron McInnis
Member
Username: mciron9
Post Number: 10
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 08:11 am: |
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James, you might be on to something. I'll change pcv valve, and do a vacuum test.
Regards, Ron. |
Fastjeff
Senior Member
Username: fastjeff
Post Number: 5868
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 05:23 pm: |
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Another 15 to 20 hp is nothing?
Jeff |
Ron McInnis
Member
Username: mciron9
Post Number: 11
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 05:32 pm: |
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Hey Jeff:
Boat goes on plane in it's own length, tops out at 50 mph. 4160c flows 720 fpm.Perfomance is satisfactory, if it would run right.
Ron. |
Peter Huckle
Member
Username: nwdryrot
Post Number: 5
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 01:46 am: |
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If you have ignition issues, I've dumped points ignition in favor of Pertronix Ignitors which are Hall cells that fit right under the distributor cap. I'm running one along with their Flamethrower coil in my 240hp 352 Interceptor with its original Mallory distributor. It idles lower and revs higher than it ever did with the points.. |
