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help on 1984 350 crusaders

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Brian Springstead

New member
I have purchased a 1984 31 tiara with twin 350 crusaders. The engines run fine after warm up and start well. I know I need to rebuild the carbs because they are running rich (gas on water at start up and I have fouled plugs after about 20 hours) MY question is , should I just replace these carbs with edelbrocks and be done with it. I don't trust myself to rebuild the old carbs myself so I would be paying to have soemone else rebuild them for me and do adjustments. I can replace the carbs myself and work with the edelbrocks. It looks like I can get new carbs for about $380 a piece after a quick serach. If I do which of the two marine carbs should I get? The money doesn't bother me too much, I want a boat that runs well. Also does this engine need solid core plug wires? It does not have them now, and if so where to get a set or should I make them? I read a thread on fuel line compatability between the old carbs and the new edelbrocks, any suggestions on which lines to use. Right now it has the alum fuel line to the carb but after the fuel filter they have cut the line and put in a section of rubber hose and then continues the alum to the carb so I have an easy spot to replace the alum section to the new carb with a good flex fuel line. Any ideas.

Thanks
 
What carbs are on there now?

Jeff

PS: If you want to piss off your boating neighbors, run solid ignition wires and ruin their radio/ TV reception! Stick to the correct wires.
 
I would personally stick with the q-jets but that's just me. If you go with the edelbrocks, the 1409 is all you will need in that kind of boat. the fuel line rerouting is pretty straightforward; make sure you have enough clearance (vertical) before you spend the initial dime. There's an adapter required unless you change the intake manifold. There was a post in this forum that had a pretty thorough parts listing (see below).

The stock line is steel, not aluminum. If i was gonna change the carbs, I'd also get rid of the stock cartridge filter and install a spin on in the line.

As far as the wires - no need for solid core wires unless the ignition now installed requires them (stock ones will not).

Here's a link to one of the posts on this topic:
http://www.marineengine.com/boat-fo...t-to-Edelbrock-Carb-Parts-List&highlight=1409
 
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A good quadra-jet can't be beat. The issue is finding someone that can re-build them correctly. If you can find the right guy, no question - stay w/ these vs. replacements. Another thing I would do ASAP would be to get rid of the points and condensor and replace w/ an electronic ignition kit. I believe the 84 model engines still had points - I may be wrong, but somewhere right in this time range they were making the swap to electronic vs. points and condensor. I had a '83 model houseboat w/ crusader 270's in it - and this boat came w/ points.
 
I have had both: The biggest reason I am now using the 1409s was the speed of just replacing them and not having the waiting process of a sorely needed quality rebuilder. Mine were in need of more than just re-fitted parts. I was able to set them up and finish the job all in 1 day with no waiting. We were out on the boat the next weekend. It has been 6 season now. Zero issues.

MY 2 CENTS
 
Actually, finding the "right guys" is an easy task. You will find all of them have a backlog, especially at this time of year. I, personally, would spend the premium on the small guy who is concerned about his reputation vs. going 'cheap' with a 'generic' rebuilder who can turn it around in a couple days. Once in a great while, somebody will stumble across a competent 'unknown' who can turn the job out in a day.
 
Go to the thread makomark suggests. Everything you need to know is there. I have a 1986 tiara and they do fit under the deck but not by much! I had that fuel sheen issue and rigjt away suspected carbs but in hindsite think my problem was horribly corroded distributer caps. Even though it seemed the engine was running right i think i may have only been running on 6 or 7 cylinders. Check to make sure your caps look good.
 
My 2 Cents

Rebuilding Quadra Jets is a 50-50 shot… Had a marine mechanic rebuild the one on my little 1988 cruiser, no good. So I rebuilt the one on my 1980 houseboat… No good.

Last year I replaced on my Gibson (1980 Crusader 270's) all plugs 6X in one engine, 3X in the other. Do the math... Purchased 2 new Edelbrocks and the adapter plate (fits the new carb to the intake manifold). Replaced starboard side 4 weeks ago. Super simple! Had to get banjo fitting from local speed shop for gas hose. Hooked up electric choke to engine electrical harness. Put original air filter on and cut the new threaded rod to length. New plugs. Adjusted idle mixture screws (you just have to do this!) Then adjust the low speed idle so the tranny doesn’t slam into gear.

Best thing I ever did for the old boat. One pump and VAROOM.

One thing you will find is that now that the carb is metering the right amount of gas. The performance of the engine is more susceptible to other components that need to be replaced – Plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, etc.

Give it a whirl!!

Capt Ron
 
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