Carb Question

Over the winter I purchased my first Nautique, and am in the process of getting my 1985 Syvan Skitastic ready for a spring sale.

The Sylvan has a 351 with a Holley carb (EOJL 9510, List 9992). Off the ramp (first start) it runs like a champ (idling, wide open; no smoke, etc). Runs great as long as I keep it running. If I shut it down after it has warmed up, and come back 10 minutes later, it starts hard, will not idle, and makes it very difficult to get skiers back out on the lake.

My solution last season was to rarely shut it down (no rest for the driver). Usually comes back to bite me after dinner and its time to put the boat up and I'm struggling to keep it idling while putting it back on the trailer.

I have read a lot of information on rebuilding the carb (and feel pretty confident in my ability to do this). Because everything else seems to work fine I would rather leave "well enough" alone and try to possibly troubleshoot it further to see if my problem is somewhere else (perhaps a malfunctioning part). Sometimes when I try to fix things that are not broken, I make them broken

Usually I have problems after 5-10 minutes.

I have done what you said (and taken off the arrestor) and tried to start. The problem appears more to be a lack of fuel. There is no drip from the booster nozzles, but if I open/close the damper, it sprays fluid and the engine runs steadier.

You mean, you open and close the "throttle"? If that's what you mean, the shot you are seeing is from the accelerator pump. That is normal.

Check out these threads, could be helpful:
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17431&title=issues-when-hot-with-84-sn-351-holley

http://www.nautiqueowners.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19317&PID=236629&SID=d8zc8bab1e95fc26ezaf7c9c1c793da5&title=new-carb-hard-to-start--351-86#236629

Sounds like you're right, lack of fuel. The float levels could be too low, or it could be due for a full rebuild.

rcthorpe wrote: My problems sound a lot like the first thread. Do you know if a new power valve is included in the rebuild kit?

It is, yes sir. You want to get the List number off of your choke horn to make sure you get the right rebuild kit. Then you can either get in touch with Skidim or Holley Tech directly.

Glad to help. Let us know how it turns out.

Any difference in getting the Holley Marine Kit (703-33) versus the Pleasurecraft kit (RN0120-1)?

I finished the carb rebuild and it is now leaking at the bowl screws. My carb has eight spring loaded screws that hold the front and back bowls to the unit. The screws that came with my rebuild kit are too small (probably fit a non-spring loaded screw).

I have tried a couple of places (including NAPA) to try and find the gasket needed. It appears that originally there was a rubber/cork gasket (not sure what I should use to replace). I have been told that an o-ring will not work because I will not be able to tighten the screws tight enough to make it not leak. Suggestions?

Gary,

I think you got it bass ackereds. Buy a 6.5 seprate - 2.5 is in the kit. Search power valves theres a lot of good Ski-boat size info.

Gary S wrote: Also do a search here and check the power valve size,the kits include a 6.5, I think a 2.5 is what you want

Forgive me if I missed somethign here but the guy opens the throttle plate letting in a bunch of air and it runs better and that means that it is a lack of fuel issue and not a too much fuel issue?

Hot restart issues but no problems cold... too much fuel me thinks.. replace your needle and seats and reset your floats.

Yes you get a squirt of fuel from the accel pumps when you open the throttle but opening the throttle and increasing the air flow is what lets you burn off some of the dripped fuel.

Thanks for the help. Difficult to find Holley parts with very few "performance" shops around here anymore. Usually they would have these things handy.

Summit, jegs, and the like have really killed most of those speed shops, cuts into the profit Margin of machine shops pretty heavy as well.   Doesn't leave you many choices when you are trying to save the weekend!