Advice on carbs...

2 things. I finally got a prop ordered from Delta. They are quick! The 4-blade that we use now is the ACME 654 4 blade 12.5X15 I purchased the 1442 today, excited to get that ice off the river.

BUT before then, Dad's 90 ski has been acting goofy last couple years. It has trouble starting like it's not getting fuel so we slam the throttle a little and then she roars to life. The carb has never been touched, and the fuel pump as not been messed with either. What advice do you guys have? When the boat is running at idle it is fine, plenty of fuel, when you put it down the 4-barrel opens nicely...pulling pyramids off the dock the boat kinda stalls out or "misses" a little like the tires spun a bit. I'm not sure what's causing that. But, anything you guys think of off the top of your head let me know so I can check all of those things. Thanks everyone!

-Mike

I was hoping to just pop a new holley on it...we'll see how much more advice I can get :)

The points? That's the thing...we went to electronic ignition a couple years ago to try to solve this problem... lol

You need to check the timing before you do anything. After that, set the idle. If its still acting funny then you may need a carb rebuild.

Make sure all the intake bolts are tight as well as the bolts mounting the carb to the intake. Check the bolts attaching the fuel bowls to the main body of the carb. Your looking for a vaccum leak basicly or anything loose. Next you want to check the accelrator pump for proper operation, meaning you have a full stream of gas being squirted into the primary's for the full movement of the throttle, adjust/replace it as needed. Check and make sure the hose to the PCV is tight use a hose clamp if needed, check the hose for cracks replace there are, check the PCV and make sure it rattles when you shake it and there is vaccum on it when you cover your finger over then end, replace if there isn't vaccum or a rattle to it. Once that is all done, set the timing at 8-10 degrees BTDC,( no need to replace the dizzy as long as the mechanical advance is working correctly since you've converted all ready. Adjust idle mixture screws while the boat is in gear, set idle while in gear as well, this must be done in the water and not on the trailer. If the problem still exist, then pull the carb and have it rebuilt with Holley renew kit by someone that knows Carb's. Waist of cash buying a new one even if you have to replace the fuel bowls your still money ahead. Now if there isn't a reputal Carb specialist that will soak the disassenbled carb in a bucket of carb cleaner in your area, then you might want to go the new route and pay twice the price.

well guess my dad tought me how to rebuild a carb instead of replacing them but to each there own why charge them a couple hundered when you can jew them for 400 plus to replace it and save all that time rebuilding a prefectly good carb. Seen about one carb ever get tossed because it couldn't be rebuilt, couple needed new throttle plates which we just replaced with one we had on hand, but then The shop would rebuild about 3 or more a week too so you kinda get the hang of it after awhile, but then they where Quadrajets few more parts than what a holley actually has, little tougher to get right too so most would give up because they lacked the knowledge to do the job correctly. But what do I know guess I should have replaced mine enstead of rebuilding it.

40 bucks for a carb kit, 20 for the diaphram, 10 for the float, and zero for the know how. If you don't have the skills to rebuild it or know someone that does then I guess your not left with many options then are you, but to replace it right? But takes all of 10 minutes to pull the carb off the motor, another 15-20 to disassemble it, holley's take even less time, and set all the parts in a basket, another minute to place the basket in a bucket of carb cleaner to aggitate for half a day or longer depending on how dirty it was, then 5-10 to rinse and dry the parts, another 30 to reassemble and adjust the floats, accel pump and linkage. So for a couple hours labor and 80 some dollars in parts you have a carb that works good as new for years to come. But why save any money we all just like pissing it away like it's grown on tree's

mdvalant wrote: Thanks for the advice 79... is something on your mind you'd like to talk about? We here on CCFAN are here for you!!!

nothing on my mind just don't subscripe to the theory it's better to spend more to get the same results. But then most don't have my background or access to equipement that I have.

My view point is to rebuild them Billy's is replace them to each there own.

check the other stuff first make sure it's just not a tune-up issue, seems like slight adjustment needs to be made and not a complete rebuild otherwise it would be acting up all of the time and have some other issue too as well.

Where are you located at?

Chris glad your back.....Can you spell E10, Have you opened up a 4100 in the last year after being exposed to our new fuels, a rebuild is only as good as the core.
Corrosion was so bad in the last one the power broke off in the metering block.What did the rest look like?
My point is 100.00 for parts, three hours labor , along with two twelve packs,this is the cheap way out.If it is too far gone the rebuild will be as bad or worse than before, a wasted week end and your wallet is 100.00 lighter.
But what do I know, your advice on PN has been a big hit over there too...Are you using the same pic over there too.............    

Chris, seems that your TIME OUT IN THE CORNER did little for your personality or to deflate that EGO.Same Chris different day.The quite was good while it lasted, and membership actually increased in your Vacuum.Have a good day..........

Hey kids, neither of you get a prize for which option I choose...just letting you know ;)

You guys sound like moomba owners.

sorry, that was a low blow ;)

Chris, what kind of carb cleaner do you soak it in? The last time I let a carb soak overnight it removed the chromate finish on the body and bowls, both inside and out. What a frickin mess.

I bought a couple of gallons from napa, not even close to the stuff they made a few years ago, very weak

haven't read all the post but might wanna check out the fuel pump...maybe it's not working fine thus not delivering the needed psi to run the carb when all 4 barrels are open...had somthing like that in my boat, once..it would run fine..then when loaded for wakeboarding..when taking off it would die..had to squirt gas to fired it again..then it run fine..problems went away with a new pump

mdvalant wrote: Thanks for all the comments guys, can't wait to get the boat out this spring and start tuning it up.

You and me both.. Come on April..

Actually, she was the one that nixed that idea early...hahaha I did carry it around the house for about 2 hours... :)