1985 2001 with 454 - dead

Sure, and Autolite numbers are easier to remember too.

Sounds to me like you put in a new engine that rotates backwards from the original.

And your transmission has a slight dirty neutral and isn't indexed for the same rotation as the engine, so no forward or reverse and in this case spinning backwards your dirty neutral makes the shaft spin slowly in reverse.

Are you using the same starter or did you get a new one to go with the new engine ?

What's your firing order? What was the old firing order?

Take a picture of the propeller

Knowing the actual firing order (not necessarily what's cast into the intake manifold)and the prop rotation will tell a lot about what your issue may or may not be.

Is there a way to know if it's reverse rotation (like it should be) from just looking at it?

So when I go check on it this afternoon, I'd like to be able to make sure they didn't screw this up

8122pbrainard wrote: Ian wrote: Is there a way to know if it's reverse rotation (like it should be) from just looking at it? KENO wrote: What's your firing order? Take a picture of the propeller Knowing the actual firing order (not necessarily what's cast into the intake manifold)and the prop rotation will tell a lot about what your issue may or may not be.

How do I determine actual firing order if I didn't build it?

I have the engine tag from the original with the firing order printed on it.

Look at your distributor cap, find #1 plug wire and going CLOCKWISE around the cap follow the wires.

It'll be either 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2 normal automotive
or
1 2 7 5 6 3 4 8 reverserotation

We'll worry about this part along with a picture of the prop first

Edit You can compare your tag to the firing order you physically have from following the wires around the cap

And use Pete's diagram for cylinder numbering

KENO wrote: Look at your distributor cap, find #1 plug wire and going clockwise around the cap follow the wires. It'll be either 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2 normal automotive or 1 2 7 5 6 3 4 8 reverserotation We'll worry about this part along with a picture of the prop first

haha As soon as I get out of work I'll head over there and take a pic of the prop. The old engine was reverse rotation.

8122pbrainard wrote: [QUOTE=Ian]I'm getting the feeling that Tommy doesn't know what he's doing!!

It has felt this way since right after I paid the deposit and had them order the engine.

I wonder too if you can get a look at the paperwork they have from the engine supplier,maybe that will give some info on rotation.

Worse case if they put the wrong engine in is they owe you a prop. Clock the pump, put on a L prop and go skiing. You don't have a bunch of time to waste this summer.
And as far a inboards go, in Denver its pretty much Tommys sand box. They have a good rep well earned.
However.......
People make boo boos and a young "tech" who wasn't even a wet spot in mommies panties when reverse rotation engines were the norm may not have the slightest clue. That would explain the "transmission doesn't work and I have no idea why" communication. Go see if there is a (mechanic) running around there that looks like me. Old and pissed off. That's the guy you want.

baitkiller wrote: Worse case if they put the wrong engine in is they owe you a prop. Clock the pump, put on a L prop and go skiing. .

No way,no how would I accept this as an answer. It would be like giving you a mirror if they flopped the ring gear on a differential repair

Here's a funny story.....

I went back to the shop, and verified that the prop spins clockwise, and climbed in the boat and looked at the distributor........ WRONG ENGINE, it's a standard rotation engine.

So I go inside to talk to the service rep and the mechanic, I tell them my concern, and they are adamant that it is the correct engine - the one I ordered. I explained that I specifically ordered a reverse rotation engine, and they didn't agree.

I opened up my phone and found an email from April 27, that I sent to them so that they could order my new engine, and attached to the email was the picture of my original engine identification placard. Where it clearly shows R.

Either way, someone else gets to eat the cost of this mistake, and I don't have to buy another new engine, and labor for the install.

So, I find it funny, because I was really stressed today as the transmission fiasco was gonna put me over budget, but now I can laugh a little, and wait for them to fix the mistake and get me a new engine - the right one this time - and get me back on the water.

You guys are amazing! Thanks so much for all the help! I would not have been able to figure this out without yall's help!

8122pbrainard wrote: Ian, Why Tommy's and not: Action Watersports Colorado www.awsboatsco.com 4404 E 60th Ave Commerce City, CO 80022

Honestly, I didn't do a lot of research.
Tommy's is really close to me, and I called them when I first blew the motor to ask some questions, and the guy on the phone sounded knowledgable and friendly.

Besides, mistakes happen. It's not a huge deal. I'm not mad.

For some reason I couldn't load this page, so I wasn't able to see everyone's comments before I posted the story.

Tommy's is a big name around here - but mistakes happen, no problem.
When I say "professional" I mean that it wasn't just some shade tree mechanic, but an established shop.

The mechanic said it would be quicker and easier to clock the pump and put at LH prop on. But I immediately said I would like to keep my boat the way it was built, and the mechanic was quick to agree and say that he was just letting me know some options.

Yep, dirty neutral doesn't really concern me. Before the engine failure, neutral in the water left the boat completely still.

Tomorrow morning Tommy's is going to call the engine supplier and have a chat to see who made the mistake, and who gets to eat the cost... So I should know more tomorrow morning.

My expectation is that I will be excluded from the drama between the supplier and the shop, and they will re order the correct engine, and put my boat as a priority, and get me finished ASAP.

baitkiller wrote: Whatevs.. Good luck Ian, have a great summer, glad everything worked out!

Yeah man! You too!

I'll get back on the water soon! Hope y'all are enjoying your summer!

Ian wrote: put my boat as a priority, and get me finished ASAP.

I was with you until here. Something tells me your 1985 boat is not a priority.