Engine Bogging on Takeoff

Hey Folks, could use a little help here. I have an 87 Ski Nautique Dominique with the 351 Windsor in it that I just bought from a guy in Wisconsin and brought home to MN...Here's the deal: he put on a brand new Holley Carb last season at the end of the year, but never really adjusted any of the screws or anything to fine tune it. So, when I'm out on the lake if I hit the throttle hard, it bogs and kills instantly. However, if I go easy on it to get past the first couple hundred RPM, then I can slam it and it's all good. Because of that, I am guessing a couple things: 1.) it's probably that carb, and 2.) likely an accelerator pump adjustment? I'm no mechanic, but I can figure most things out. Just not sure how to go about diagnosing or where to start on adjusting/fixing it if it is actually the Accelerator pumps. Which screws would handle that? Do I do that on land? on water? while it's running? Any help is greatly appreciated! Cheers and happy boating!

other question I just thought of, Is there a way to run an inboard on land for testing/diagnosing? and if so, how do you get water into the pumps?

Do as ken suggests but an off idle stumble could easily be timing also. Check it.

kennords wrote: Hey Folks, could use a little help here. I have an 87 Ski Nautique Dominique with the 351 Windsor in it that I just bought from a guy in Wisconsin and brought home to MN...Here's the deal: he put on a brand new Holley Carb last season at the end of the year, but never really adjusted any of the screws or anything to fine tune it. So, when I'm out on the lake if I hit the throttle hard, it bogs and kills instantly. However, if I go easy on it to get past the first couple hundred RPM, then I can slam it and it's all good. Because of that, I am guessing a couple things: 1.) it's probably that carb, and 2.) likely an accelerator pump adjustment? I'm no mechanic, but I can figure most things out. Just not sure how to go about diagnosing or where to start on adjusting/fixing it if it is actually the Accelerator pumps. Which screws would handle that? Do I do that on land? on water? while it's running? Any help is greatly appreciated! Cheers and happy boating! other question I just thought of, Is there a way to run an inboard on land for testing/diagnosing? and if so, how do you get water into the pumps?

      Before you go tearing into a bunch of money,
We've been seeing a few; "was running fine last Month"!
Recommend; Check the Fuel line all the way back to the Tank
        AA) Should be able to Pump fuel from the tank into a Gas Can (with a hand pump
               from an outboard tank connected to the Fuel pump end of the fuel line, always
               a good check). Might be a good preseason yearly check!
            1) Check the Fuel filter (It's the big ugly Can under the fuel pump).
            2) Check the Carburetor inline fuel screen (It's inside the larger nut than
               where the Fuel line nuts into the Carburetor).
               This screen rusts in no time if water gets in there and Plugs up the works.
               I think, we here in Washington have more water in our Gas from being shipped
               from Anacortes fresh off the Boat and Alcohol pushing All that water through...
               To where? Where is the end of the Gas Pipe? Right, Your Boat tank!
              3) Pull the Tank fuel screen out (It's between the Pick up tube and the tank
                 fitting elbow) check it, check the fuel pick up tube and the Anti-Siphon valve.

       It's all free!
           
           

Funny you should mention that...I called a local shop a while back too just to bounce some theories off of him, and he said the same thing, He said ditch the Holley and grab an Edelbrock instead. Might have to do a little looking into that one. Thanks!

sounds like a problem I have with holleys when power valve isn't correct size or blown. one backfire thru the carb can wipe them out.   they are screwed into the metering plate. iirc the size of power valve needed should be half of what number engine vacuum is at idle

JoeinNY - Thanks for the detailed response and instructions! I will certainly give that a shot before I go out this weekend and see what I can see.

Cheers!

How many Holley carbs are out there running fantastic?

besides you could be having a similar issue w an edelbrock and figure it out but at the end of the day youd have an edelbrock.   

I see I've hit on a grand debate about carbs here perhaps I'll start with trying to get this one to work before I buy another one...I'll keep you all posted. Thanks!

How many Holley carbs are out there running fantastic? Less than the ones that are out there running poorly and leaking.

Ok, we've determine the Fuel flow is, Fair

A Big shot of WD40 down under the points plate (AKA Vacuum plate but, boats don't have em). Yup, this means Electronic too.

Set the Points to .005" if you have Points, skip to "-AND-"" if you have electronic
I know, .0055 is wrong per the Book but, the Book is wrong.
If you check the points after you set the Dwell (As long as the Shaft is straight and the Bearings are good) the Gap will be pretty Darn close to .005

Set dwell to 30 degrees at Idle
Run the RPM up to 1500 rpm and Back down a few times
Notice if the Dwell changes (Should be rock solid at 30 degrees)
if the dwell changes the distributor bearings are rusted out and if the Bearins are rusted out then the Advance is,,, but, Engine OIl will help for now.
You'll need to write down "Replacement distributor" on your shopping list.
For Electronic A good fast bright Timing light on the Timing Mark needs to be rock solid
and in sharp focus, jumping two degrees without RPM change is FNG
or No Good.

          -AND-


I'll add, find a really glass smooth Lake Early in the Morning and Have someone adjust the Ignition Timing at 3000+ RPM (Or top speed more acurate but, even more dangerous) for best Highest speed (44+ mph). Hey, People Ice Skate, Race Hydro's, Water Ski, Snow ski, Ride Motor Cycles And if weren't dangerous, would it be any fun?!!

Called. full speed full advance; Leaves Bad Acceleration parts outta the Tune
EI: Power Valve, Accelerator Pump, Rusty Distributor Timing plate, Timing plate Springs...
Even Bad spark plugs to a slim degree but, listen for all eight.
Not gonna fix your Boat but, will tell if the expensive parts are good enough (Cam, Heads, Lifters, Push Rods... and all the lower parts) and May even make your Boat run Half right AND you might find the run problem is one of those I mentioned above.

Hint; Make sure your Paddle is in your Boat and works and your Carb Baffle is on cause, If your Boat kicks back on the starter after doing a Full advance and I am right then the centrifugal advance is most likely rusted stuck plus and the engine isn't gonna start until ya put the timing back where is was to start with AND may even fire up the Carb at some point.


Lastly the Guys are right, Either a crash Holley Setup, Holley Repair or Holley Rebuild course on YouTube or there's the Holley 600 CFM Holley PART# 0-80319-1
for $691.99 at Jegs, Summit, Amazon.... Specially made for your Boat. Funny how they;re are all the same price.


ttps://www.autozone.com/miscellaneous-non-automotive/performance-marine-carburetor/holley-600-cfm-4-bbl-model-4160-electric-choke-vacuum-secondary-carburetor-for-ford-small-block-351-engine/94451_0_0
Holley 600 CFM 4 BBL model 4160 electric choke vacuum secondary carburetor for Ford small block 351 engine

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/marine_carburetors/parts/0-80319-1
Holley 0-80319-1 600 CFM Marine Four Barrel Performance Vacuum Secondary Electric Choke Carburetor
Holley PART# 0-80319-1

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/marine_carburetors/parts/0-82670
670 CFM Aluminum Marine Avenger Carburetor Electric Choke Vacuum Secondaries-4150
PART# 0-82670

$552.95     Suggested Retail
$496.95     Your Price   <Best price!

Holley PART# 0-82670 is specifically made for your Boat.


DO NOT FOOL AROUND WITH OTHER CARBERATORS IE: Carter, Rochester, Eldebrock,
Weber... or Even other (Non-Marine) Street Holleys; Holley Double pumper, Holley Dual Feed, Holley Dual Metering blocks...