Did You Know Rats Like Spark Plug Wires

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   Alright ~ figured it out ~ thanks for helping me get it sorted.

I'm not sure about the numbering system on the distributor picture I put up.  I labeled things clockwise, but I think it goes counter clockwise....  

At any rate, I knew the right side (5-8) was "correct" because those wires were mostly in tact ~ so I traced the 5 spark plug wire to what was correctly labeled #1 in the picture and went counter clock wise around the horn.....

The problem was that the wires going into 4 & 5 were reversed.  I changed that ~ and it's purring like a kitten.  

Once started, I warmed it up to operating temp on the boat ramp, and raced home to change the oil & filter.

Thanks for all the help.  Seriously.  You guys give guys like me "the confidence to try and fix it ourselves" ~ and I know I really appreciate that.

iPlan Out

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iplan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April-19-2010 Location: Lake Murry SC Status: Offline Points: 201	Post Options Post Reply Quote iplan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Did You Know Rats Like Spark Plug Wires Posted: May-16-2016 at 5:46pm
	Alright ~ figured it out ~ thanks for helping me get it sorted. I'm not sure about the numbering system on the distributor picture I put up. I labeled things clockwise, but I think it goes counter clockwise.... At any rate, I knew the right side (5-8) was "correct" because those wires were mostly in tact ~ so I traced the 5 spark plug wire to what was correctly labeled #1 in the picture and went counter clock wise around the horn..... The problem was that the wires going into 4 & 5 were reversed. I changed that ~ and it's purring like a kitten. Once started, I warmed it up to operating temp on the boat ramp, and raced home to change the oil & filter. Thanks for all the help. Seriously. You guys give guys like me "the confidence to try and fix it ourselves" ~ and I know I really appreciate that. iPlan Out
	85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next.

TRBenj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21184	Post Options Post Reply Quote TRBenj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May-16-2016 at 3:16pm
	Yes... Rotor rotates counter clockwise. I was only commenting on the placement of cyl #1. Obviously the cylinders will need need to go aroun in the proper firing order, not sequentially 1-8.

backfoot100 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: January-03-2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1897	Post Options Post Reply Quote backfoot100 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May-16-2016 at 2:15pm
	Tim is correct. You have to bring #1 cylinder up to TDC on the compression stroke and then see which dizzy post the rotor is pointing to. That's #1 on the cap. It can be any one of the eight. Don't Fords go CCW from there?????
	When people run down to the lake to see what's making that noise, you've succeeded. Eddie

iplan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April-19-2010 Location: Lake Murry SC Status: Offline Points: 201	Post Options Post Reply Quote iplan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May-16-2016 at 12:44pm

	85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next.

TRBenj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21184	Post Options Post Reply Quote TRBenj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May-16-2016 at 12:25pm
	There is a 1/8 chance it is correct. #1 Dist post can be any of the 8, it all depends which way the distributor was installed.

iplan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April-19-2010 Location: Lake Murry SC Status: Offline Points: 201	Post Options Post Reply Quote iplan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May-16-2016 at 12:04pm
	Thank you ~~~ Also just to be sure.... is this the right numbering on the distributor? Pick taken from the ski pole looking back to the carb.
	85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next.

JoeinNY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5698	Post Options Post Reply Quote JoeinNY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May-16-2016 at 11:18am
	If it is the original engine to the boat then it is a RH engine. Bad news on the seats.... that is expensive, I would be rocking duct tape for the next ten years until the kids moved out if it happened to me..
	1983 Ski Nautique 2001 1967 Mustang 302 "Decoy" Holeshot Video

iplan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April-19-2010 Location: Lake Murry SC Status: Offline Points: 201	Post Options Post Reply Quote iplan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May-16-2016 at 10:55am
	So ~ I take the cover off the boat, and trouble is obvious. Rat dropping were everywhere, and the boat smelled like a sewer. Rats had moved in and made a nest around the carburetor and ripped up my brand new seats to use as bedding. Well ~ I poisoned them and ahem shall we say, "lectured" ~ the kids about leaving an open box of poptarts in storage compartment of the boat..... Let's say that it was an 'intense' lecture. Apparently, rats like spark plug wires. All but two of my spark plug wires were chewed completely in two. After purchasing a new set of sparkplug wires and googling "351w firing order" ~ to come up with the order, something is not right.... The boat runs terribly. I think I have an issue with the firing order. The engine owner's manual I downloaded off CCF closest to the year of my boat (which is an 1985 with the 351w) has firing orders for both a right hand rotation & a left hand rotation engine. I am thinking it has to be one of these orders, but I"m not sure which engine I have (rhr or lhr) How do you tell if you have a right hand rotation or left hand rotation engine? iplan
	85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next.

Did You Know Rats Like Spark Plug Wires

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