Carb / Choke / Idle

gus_jd · Outlaw Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Posts: 140 City: Milwaukee, WI

All--

I'm new to inboards and carbs in general. On my '86 Centurion, I've got the carb'd Ford 351 and Velvet drive. Prior owner replaced the carb about three years ago. How long should the idle stay up after a cold start? I started it on the driveway (with fake-a-lake) last night, and it idled at 2k for about 10 minutes before I shut it off, was this the electronic choke keeping the idle up? Temp got up to about 120. I'm not big on the idea of shifting into gear at 2k rpm's. What does a properly tuned engine do?

TIA,
GUS.

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

The fake-a-lake supplies 54 degree water. Most of the boats are set up for 70 degree water temps. It takes longer on a fake-a-lake to get to operating temp. You may also want to check your thermostat to make sure it is operating properly. You may have a carb problem, but I think that you should try to run it in the lake first. You may also have to rev up to 3,000 rpms to get the choke to turn off - just a short pulse should do it.

If you consistently have the problem, it may be time for a carb cleaning or rebuild. Both can be perfromed by any person reasonably mechanically inclined.

You should get your stuff tomorrow. Please post a note on your door to leave the package.

gus_jd · Outlaw Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Posts: 140 City: Milwaukee, WI

Right on Boarditup. Ran on the lake last night, and all is well.

MrBlean · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 8:03 am Post subject:

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

chokes have to be kicked off by bumping or goosing the throttle. if you are going to run the boat in the driveway, you should kill the choke after a minute or so.

i'm glad your boat ran fine while on the water.

the by pass cooling system is designed to maintain the engine at a steady temperature regardless of the raw water temp. running with colder lake water or on the hose will result in more water being dumped thru the by pass in the stat housing. the manifolds will be cooler, but the engine temp should be consistent.

board it was correct by saying cooler water increases warm up time with the pcm bypass type cooling system.

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

Most domestic water supplies are from wells. Ground water is typically at the annual average daily temperature. Gus in in the Milwaukee area, the same latitude as me in Grand Rapids, MI. Our average daily temp is 54F. If your municipality uses elevated tanks for water pressure, that temp will vary according to season by several degrees.

From a engineer's point of view, the higher the water temp, the worse it is for the engine. Most engineers have used the 70F assumption when putting the specs together on a motor.

In August in MI, we have 70F water and warmer on the inland lakes and even somtimes near shore on Lake Michigan. If you are on Lake Superior, you are luck to see 60F in August.

Sorry to be techical, but I am a professional environmentalist.

MrBlean · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 11:58 pm Post subject: