Logo
FULL SITE MENU

another newbie but learning fast

R

rochleau

New member
I just bought a 1982 Starcraft 3 litre omc stern drive. the boat was in excellent shape for being over 30 years old.I have been doing some upgrades and tuning I have change the points to electronic ignition updated the ESA
but I have a question.I don't think the ESA is working right, it doesn't engage until after it starts shifting into gear to me it seems like there's not enough resistance with the cable in order to move the spring loaded Shaft to engage the micro switch before it starts to shift if that makes sense. Is there an adjustment on the shift cable to increased resistance so that the micro switch is activated before the shift cable moves.
 
rochleau said:
  1. but I have a question. I don't think the ESA is working right, it doesn't engage until after it starts shifting into gear
  2. to me it seems like there's not enough resistance with the cable in order to move the spring loaded Shaft to engage the micro switch before it starts to shift if that makes sense.
  3. Is there an adjustment on the shift cable to increased resistance so that the micro switch is activated before the shift cable moves.
Click to expand...

Assuming that this is a Dog Clutch Stringer drive.........

  1. For the most part, the ESA is to aid in a shift from gear, back into neutral.
    Shifts need to be quick and decisive.
  2. The cable reistance is due to the dog clutch teeth wanting to remain engage.
    Without the resistance, the ESA would not be required.
  3. No cable resistance adjustment that I am aware of.
    (see above)

Jerry is correct.
The final ESA adjustment must be in the water..... otherwise the propeller thrust and Dog Clutch resistance is not part of the equation.
 
Thank you, I will have see how it responds in the water. It would die a lot when I would shift into gear, so that's one reason why I decided to rebuild the ignition system, I haven't had it out since all the changes.
 
You need to be around 600 rpm on a warm engine in gear at idle. The lower the better when you shift understand ?

Be careful around other boats and the dock when you learn how the new esa will behave there will be a delay.

Play with it away from everything till you have it down pat..
 
Ok finally took it out, didn''t run very well. idle rough and stalls when trying to start out fast. I even rebuilt carb thinking that would help, no go. So I have completely replaced everything in the ignition system and set timing. When I set timing I noticed that it had a miss in the spark. Doesn't seam to follow any cylinder. Manufacturer of electronic ignition says doesn't sound like a problem with their product. Any ideas???
 
rochleau said:
............. dissy does have play up and down but not side to side
Click to expand...
If this is the Pertronix kit, these can be somewhat sensitive to up/down movement with regard to the magnet unit and sensor unit alignment.
However, this will depend on if the entire distributor shaft is moving up/down, or just the upper advancing portion.... (i.e., the part where the magnet unit fits onto the old points cam).
Generally, the oil pump thrust keeps this shaft slack towards the top.

Don't test/change too many items all at once, or you'll never know what/which part corrected the problem.
Use the P of E (process of elimination)...... one item, and one item only at a time.
 
Back
Top