Losing my mind, need advice on crank no start issue

Rick K

Rick K

Member
Aug 4, 2010
398
Niagara River, Tonawanda, NY
Boat Info
'81 SR245 - '87 Antigua
Engines
260 Merc
Hi All,
Been furiously working to get my boat ready for the water, so haven't been on in awhile. As some of you may know, I rebuilt my engine over the winter due to a blown piston and some other issues. Everything new on he engine except the carb, which was rebuilt.

Engine was done 2 weeks ago, and ran on the floor like a charm. After a bit of a wait to have the motor put back into the boat, getting the drive on, etc., I'm all done. Everything wired up, good to go, etc etc etc . (A very painful experience getting that thing dialed in) Or so I thought...

I have a crank no start, or, it'll fire and die issue. First thing I thought of was crossed spark plug wires. Checked those THREE times (and my ribs hurt to prove it), and they're good.

Carb is getting fuel, and I'm getting spark.

The last time I tried, the carb majorly backfired and scared the crap outta me, so I shut everything down and here I am... :wow:

I know this is a very broad question, but is there any wiring on this thing that if hooked up incorrectly could ground out the ignition and cause this issue?

Christ, this is a Chevy 350, not a rocket engine. Seems to me it should be pretty straight forward. Spark + Gas + Air = Running Engine.

Just looking for opinions, or maybe a starting point. If nothing else, I can pull the plugs, recheck TDC and reseat the distributor.

Thanks guys...
 
All that said, sounds like timing to me...

If you think your close on TDC, spin the distributer a few degrees each way and try to start.
 
Sounds like your 180 degrees out or timing is out. Was the distributor cap removed or wires removed on install?
 
+1 had the same issue last year. Dont burnout a starter cranking, good luck.
Ground wire is my second choice, not sure if it would back fire. While I am typing I am wondering why it ran at shop???
back to ground wire. check the one on the distributor, actually all of them. They are black and green and can be missed easily enough.
 
cod said:
Sounds like your 180 degrees out or timing is out. Was the distributor cap removed or wires removed on install?
Click to expand...
Actually, it was. But I never took the wires off the cap, I just hooked them up to the plugs after reinstalling. Also have plug number markers on both ends. Like I said, I checked the firing order 3 times. Gettin' harder and harder to fold my body up to get down in there!

Only other thing I can think of is maybe the distributor was loose after running it in the shop, and it got jarred, and I just tightened it down without thinking. I'll bring the #1 piston back up to TDC and see where the rotor points. Man, if THAT is the problem, I'll be looking at winning the dumbass of the year award. Again.
Thanks for the ideas guys.
 
What about your deadman's lanyard/switch. Do you have one "RUN/OFF" switch on your throttle>?
 
Are the plugs wet? Some times putting and engine back in a boat it tilts to an extreme angle, and the floats stick, flooding the engine, causing backfiring, and making it not want to run. Shut off the gas and try again in the morning with the fuel turned off. She should spark off and die shortly there after as the carb drains. That would explain why she ran on the stand, and not in the boat.
 
I had a similar thing and it was the shift interrupt switch. Maybe disconnect one of the quick disconnect wires to it and see what happens. Mine would fire, and die right away. The shift cables on mine were out of adjustment after then engine was put in.

Good Luck - Matt
 
disconnect all of the "boat wiring" and run it like you did in the floor
if it runs ok on the hotwire it will eliminate an engine issue and should be easy to track down
 
magonzo said:
I had a similar thing and it was the shift interrupt switch. Maybe disconnect one of the quick disconnect wires to it and see what happens. Mine would fire, and die right away. The shift cables on mine were out of adjustment after then engine was put in.

Good Luck - Matt
Click to expand...


I was thinking the same thing - possibly the cut-out switch on the shift linkage.
We too had a similar problem with that needing adjustment after re-installing an engine. :huh:
 
Thanks for the replies guys... No lanyard-type switch, just the old style push the button in to disengage the shifter type throttle. Thought about interuptor switch as being the culprit too, I'll check that out. I'll hot wire the engine and see what's up. Looks like I'll be running the "troubleshooting gammut" on this one. Ugh.
 
Good luck Rick... you're not alone in troubled spring launch land! I too was a member! Hang in there because it has to get better eventually!
 
Thanks Jason... Oh, it'll get better, or I'll get all p/o'd and plop down an obscene amount of money on a new Sea Ray. I'll be divorced and poor, but I'll have that new boat!!!!! :grin:
 
Rick K said:
Thanks Jason... Oh, it'll get better, or I'll get all p/o'd and plop down an obscene amount of money on a new Sea Ray. I'll be divorced and poor, but I'll have that new boat!!!!! :grin:
Click to expand...

Hummm... something to think about!:smt017:smt115 LOL... I have faith you'll figure it out and save your marrige!
 
Well, if I had MY way, I'd fix this boat and buy the new one anyway. Only thing is, admiral wants some 7,000 foot luxury liner, and all I want, is a plain 'ol boat. Turn the key, have some fun. There's TONS of 'em out there. Of course, every one we look at is too big, too small, too wide, too narrow, too tall, too short, wrong color, this issue, that issue, etc. etc. etc.

Definition of insantiy: Taking wife with you to look at a boat, and expecting her to like it. She even sent me a link to a 66' Pacemaker Motor Yacht in Washinton state. Now how the HELL am I supposed to get THAT back here??? Guess I'll just hook her up and tow her home.

And what the hell would I do with it??? Are there meds for her condition? :smt119
 
Rick... that's too funny! I took mine to look at a 410 last weekend. Her only comment was "if you buy it, you can wax and paint the (explitive) thing yourself! I ain't helping"... I said well it might be time to upgrade two women in my life... needless to say she was less then impressed! Good thing it was my bday weekend and she couldn't stay mad at me. Going to look at a couple this weekend too. Ill do my best to keep my mouth shut but you know... its hard to do sometimes!

Best of luck Rick and thanks for the laugh!
 
Rick K said:
Thanks Jason... Oh, it'll get better, or I'll get all p/o'd and plop down an obscene amount of money on a new Sea Ray. I'll be divorced and poor, but I'll have that new boat!!!!! :grin:
Click to expand...

A new boat will have trade-in value, no trade-in value on a ex-wife but with no repairs on the new boat you will be able to support the ex-wife :)

Ken
 
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