1981 Sundancer 260 She's on the water (!), but low performance >3000RPM

[Bill Nelson]

Hi all,

Due to boatloads of help from y'all, old girl is on the water. Actually left the dock, and returned to it under her own power!

Small miracles.

Took it easy most of the trip around the lake, but a few times when I was a bit froggy and advanced the throttle past 3000 rpm, she would choke and spit like a teenager asked to clean their room.

I pumped all the old gas out (40 gallons!) replaced the fuel filter, fuel screen and am having the carb rebuilt. Anything else to look at?

Thanks!

Bill

 

[Strecker25]

those are a good start. How about complete the tuneup with plugs cap wires and rotor? Read the plugs when you pull them and it might tell a bit of the story

 

[Bill Nelson]

those are a good start. How about complete the tuneup with plugs cap wires and rotor? Read the plugs when you pull them and it might tell a bit of the story

Good ideas. Cap and wires look fairly new but worth it to just replace 'em and the plugs for sure.
Thanks!
Bill

 

[Ned]

Replace the coil.

 

[El Capitan]

Was it coughing or misfiring?
Any backfire or was it hesitating?

This should give you clues as to source ie carb, fuel delivery, or spark.

The ole fuel, air, spark method.

 

[hpcrank]

Replace points and condenser too, you will have to reset the timing after installing points. Points on my 1981 330 454 are set at .018. Time per your book or set at 12 deg. BTDC then when warmed up retime for best idle. To really get it dialed in, reset timing on the lake/ocean at full throttle under way (2 person job). Total timing will likely be in the 32 to 34 range. Good luck. Remember this " most carburetor troubles are in the ignition!

hpcrank