1995 Ford 5.0 EFI Engine Quality/Reliability

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1995 Ford 5.0 EFI Engine Quality/Reliability

He probably has the wrong prop on it. WOT should be somewhere between 4200-4600 I believe. Changing the pitch of the prop should help things out with planing a bit, but remember this is probably a heavier boat than your old one. The 5.0L is rated at around 220HP/265TQ and the 4.3L is rated at 190HP/230TQ, so you didn't downgrade in that aspect. I don't think I would consider the wood floor anything to be concerned about, especially if it didn't have soft spots. You could also add smart tabs for pretty cheap if re-propping doesn't solve the planing out issue.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 1995 Ford 5.0 EFI Engine Quality/Reliability

LINK

The link is to past models and specs from four winns. It gives boat weights, speeds, rpms, prop, etc. Lots of information to judge optimal performance vs. what you are seeing.

That full camper enclosure looks pretty nice. Mine came with it also, but not sure how much I would use it. Seems to go on fairly easily, but with a bowrider, they are just not practical.

I'm not sure of the weight difference between that cuddy and my bowrider, but my 5.0 carbed pulls really well with excellent hole shot. Pulling skiers it does really well with a 19 pitch aluminum prop and will run about 47 mph and will pull 5000 rpm if you let it (max rpm is 4600) so you have to watch it.

With a 21 stainless it will run 50 and pull 4500 rpm, but doesn't have the holeshot of the 19 pitch. I'm going the drill some vent holes in the 21 to try and improve that.

I'd check the prop on the cuddy. See if the owner has a different prop you could try.

Good luck and that is a great looking boat.

My also has a single axle trailer, but it is rated for 6000 pounds. It has 6 bolt rims and is rated heavier than most single axles. It pulls really well, just needed to add some brakes. That was the shocking part, came stock from the factory without them.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1995 Ford 5.0 EFI Engine Quality/Reliability

That full camper enclosure looks pretty nice. Mine came with it also, but not sure how much I would use it. Seems to go on fairly easily, but with a bowrider, they are just not practical.

Not practical until you want to go boating when it's cooler outside. When October rolls around, the weather is usually still quite pleasant but can get cool at night, the camper enclure helps keep things warm and also keep out the bugs if you are overnighting with the cuddy. Probably makes a great fix for those light showers while out on the water, too.

I'd say if the planing out was the only concern, and the price is good for you, then buy it. The trim indicator can be adjusted pretty easily, so don't worry about that.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 1995 Ford 5.0 EFI Engine Quality/Reliability

The canvas would definitely be a plus on the cuddy.

Mine is a bowrider, and for me, not as much of a plus as for the cuddy.
But from my personal experience, the four winns canvas do go on easily and are well designed and thought out. They go up easily and when removing the camper extension, the convertible top is useful to me.

Besides, I have a camp on the lake, so I wouldn't be camping on the boat on my bowrider. If not for the camp, I would have something pretty much like that cuddy synegy is looking at.