Woody died!
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34576
Printed Date: May-23-2024 at 2:28am
Topic: Woody died!
Posted By: mtguy
Subject: Woody died!
Date Posted: September-07-2014 at 2:17am
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Ok all, this is the '56 GrayMarine Fireball V-8 that a few of you have been so helpful with. Rebuilt the Carter YH carbs a month or so ago. Has been running awesome. Tonight went out on a cocktail cruise...ran great, then simply died...no warning, no stutter, nothing. We had been running at idle speed for maybe 15 minutes cruising shoreline. I checked fuel...getting fuel...clean sparkplugs...seemed kind of dirty, but used sandpaper and still no difference...tried starter fluid (I know, but carry some anyways)...Nothing. Tries to start, so I think starter works (?). Plenty of battery...Haven't change anything in distributor cap in 9 years I've owned the boat..."Tow of shame" home by a friend. Any ideas?  ------------- '95 SN '53 Hutchuck '56 Essaness Craft |
Replies:
Posted By: backfoot100
Date Posted: September-07-2014 at 8:33am
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If it's getting fuel and didn't get a sputter out of it with starting fluid, I would look at ignition. Check over all the wiring good. A sudden shutoff could very well be a broken or corroded wire someplace. Or maybe a signal or hot lead getting shorted to ground. I would seriously consider a tune up. Geez, 9 years without looking under the cap???? Although an engine(with points ignition)in need of a tune up normally would have poor performance long before leaving you stranded. Definitely check for wiring issues first. ------------- When people run down to the lake to see what's making that noise, you've succeeded. Eddie |
Posted By: mtguy
Date Posted: September-07-2014 at 11:59am
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Thanks Eddie, I'll look that over today after skiing. When I first bought boat it had recently had a rebuild. I used a mechanic for the first couple of seasons while I spent my "spare" time working on the wood. He might have done something with with distributor now that I think about it. She has been running better than ever with rebuilt carbs, so I guess I didn't question tuning. I briefly checked wires while waiting for friend, so will thoroughly check them today. I'll read up on checking ignition. Keep the ideas coming! Thanks again. ~Pete ------------- '95 SN '53 Hutchuck '56 Essaness Craft |
Posted By: mtguy
Date Posted: September-08-2014 at 12:04am
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Problem solved!! Thanks again Eddie... Here's what I did as maybe this will help another hack mechanic who might link onto this thread... I took a simple test light and made sure it had a good ground to the motor. I then put the probe on the positive terminal of the ignition coil. I turned the key on. Light went on solid. I then did the same thing on the negative post, only I turned the key and pushed the start button. If it was working, it would have made the test light pulse as the points closed and opened in the distributor. No such thing happened, the light was dead. So, the ignition coil was not functioning. I went to the local Napa store with part in hand and bought a new one, put it in and it works great (easiest part replacement I think I've had). The boat starts better than ever, making me think it has been a problem part for a long time. BTW, I did look at the points and such and they look fine. I will replace the plugs at the end of the season, which will be in a month given our weather in North Idaho. ~Pete ------------- '95 SN '53 Hutchuck '56 Essaness Craft |
Posted By: backfoot100
Date Posted: September-08-2014 at 11:20am
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Good find. Coils have definitely been an issue for several here in the past. They can get really hot and die out but normally after they cool back down they start working again until they heat up again. Sounds like yours didn't do that and the reason that I said to check the wiring. Your coil might have just opened completely too which would certainly account for the permanent failure. ------------- When people run down to the lake to see what's making that noise, you've succeeded. Eddie |
Posted By: mtguy
Date Posted: September-08-2014 at 12:03pm
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Thanks, I'll re-check the wires. Since Ive owned it, it has always started hard. Not yesterday! Who knows how old the old part was...If I feel it after running for a while should it feel hot, as I can check that today? I'll definitely check wires as don't want to burn the new one out. Another beautiful warm day for boating in NW :~) ~Pete ------------- '95 SN '53 Hutchuck '56 Essaness Craft |
Posted By: phatsat67
Date Posted: September-08-2014 at 12:52pm
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Double check if you are running a points ignition that you either A: have a functioning ballast resistor inline or B: that the coil you chose is an internally resisted unit. Either of those two things will get the job done for you properly. ------------- |
Posted By: mtguy
Date Posted: September-08-2014 at 1:14pm
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Not sure about the ballast resistor inline, but I do know it says on old and new unit not to use a separate resistor with unit. The manual says the same thing, so sounds like I'm good to go? I'll still check all wires again... ------------- '95 SN '53 Hutchuck '56 Essaness Craft |
Posted By: phatsat67
Date Posted: September-08-2014 at 1:19pm
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Yup you should be ok. ------------- |
Posted By: eufafilly
Date Posted: September-11-2014 at 11:46pm
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