3.8l will not start

[trooper1822]

Ok so I am starting a new thread now that I have the motor put back together and am at the point of trying to start it. Engine is a 81 3.8l. What I have done so far: has new starter, new battery, new plugs and wires, had ignition coil tested and its good, checked spark at wires and am getting spark on all wires, fresh fuel being pumped from my 2gal gas can, replaced fuel filter, did compression test and it was good. I tried testing to see if the pump is pumping fuel by disconnecting the tube at the carb and observed it shooting fuel with great force while cranking. Disassembled carb and cleaned everything. I put the engine at TDC on the compression stroke and aligned the distributor pointing at the number plug. The engine will turn over but not start. It sounds like it wants to start and gets very close but just will not run. I have tried using starting fluid and even a little raw fuel into the carb but still no go. Also tried pumping the throttle a few times and then trying to start but no change. The only thing I am wondering is the previous owner had a motorcraft coil installed on the engine and when I went to have it tested they said it was good but motorcraft is a ford part. Do not know how much this affects things. Any advice on how I should proceed? Thanks

 

[Blujay96]

Re: 3.8l will not start

To much fuel maybe. When I started my 3.8 for the second time last fall to winterize it it flooded on me. I had to replace the plugs and dry out the cylinders. I also had the throttle pushed just a little bit when I finally got it started.

 

[trooper1822]

Re: 3.8l will not start

Thanks for the advice. Mine has a lock out on the throttle that will not allow the engine to be cranked if the throttle is pushed even a little.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 3.8l will not start

I put the engine at TDC on the compression stroke and aligned the distributor pointing at the number plug.

there's more to it than that due to the semi-even firing pattern of the 229 chev.
my advice from your last thread is the same - you need to use the Mercruiser MR185 V6 manual to install and time your distributor.

if you search, I'm sure I have explained why several times here in the last few years to people with 3.8's.

 

[Blujay96]

Re: 3.8l will not start

If I remember correctly you have the same boat I do. I just went out and checked mine to be sure. If you pull the whole handle out and the push it forward it will control only the throttle and still let it crank.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 3.8l will not start

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...c-v6-3-8-distributor-installation-355144.html

 

[trooper1822]

Re: 3.8l will not start

there's more to it than that due to the semi-even firing pattern of the 229 chev.
my advice from your last thread is the same - you need to use the Mercruiser MR185 V6 manual to install and time your distributor.

if you search, I'm sure I have explained why several times here in the last few years to people with 3.8's.

Thank you for your reply. I am assuming this is the correct manual before I order it? http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/186959690-1983-1993-mercruiser-gm-6-cylinder-engine-service

Also I know that on the cam it has uneven lobes. 3 of the points have sharp points and 3 have more rounded points on it and this is important on how the engine fires. Found this and it gives me an idea Mercruiser 185 V6 If the manual in the link is the correct on I will order it and also am going to look for more of your previouse threads. Only other question still in my mind is the whole coil thing being a ford part. Should I go ahead and get a different one? I am heading into the city tomorrow to do some stuff and the store there has one in stock for 25 bucks. Thanks

 

[trooper1822]

Re: 3.8l will not start

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...c-v6-3-8-distributor-installation-355144.html

Thanks for the link. I was going to download from there but I am getting a malware warning off of that site

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 3.8l will not start

that marinemechanic site link says it all - good reference. The Mercruiser manual you would need is #7 I think - it has to be online a few different places.

it's here:
http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.8l will not start

Ok so I am starting a new thread now that I have the motor put back together and am at the point of trying to start it. Engine is a 81 3.8l. What I have done so far: has new starter, new battery, new plugs and wires, had ignition coil tested and its good, checked spark at wires and am getting spark on all wires, fresh fuel being pumped from my 2gal gas can, replaced fuel filter, did compression test and it was good. I tried testing to see if the pump is pumping fuel by disconnecting the tube at the carb and observed it shooting fuel with great force while cranking. Disassembled carb and cleaned everything. I put the engine at TDC on the compression stroke and aligned the distributor pointing at the number plug. The engine will turn over but not start. It sounds like it wants to start and gets very close but just will not run. I have tried using starting fluid and even a little raw fuel into the carb but still no go. Also tried pumping the throttle a few times and then trying to start but no change. The only thing I am wondering is the previous owner had a motorcraft coil installed on the engine and when I went to have it tested they said it was good but motorcraft is a ford part. Do not know how much this affects things. Any advice on how I should proceed? Thanks

Ayuh,... So what were the Numbers,... This was the Problem in yer other thread....

I agree, I think yer not timin' it right...

 

[Levinz11]

Re: 3.8l will not start

If I remember correctly you have the same boat I do. I just went out and checked mine to be sure. If you pull the whole handle out and the push it forward it will control only the throttle and still let it crank.

You'll definitely need to know this to get any carb'd boat running. Good luck Trooper.

 

[trooper1822]

Re: 3.8l will not start

Got it started! I reset the motor to TDC and set the lobe on the distributor. Once I did it I cranked her over and slowly advanced the throttle and sure enough it caught and fired up. Now the next issue is that it will not stay running if i move the throttle back to the locking detente. If I leave the throttle advanced to the point that the engine will stay running it will idle fine. So I know this has to be carb related issue. Just dont know where to begin. The troubleshooting in the manual does not really help. Also another issue is that while running water is gushing out of the starboard side head. I know what the issue is though. When I bought these heads the person that redid them did not put a bolt back into the block. He did do it on the port side though. It goes inbetween where the #2 and #4 cylinders are. It looks like it should be removed with a ratchet but when I tried to remove one from my old set of heads none of my ratchets fit. So how do I remove this so I can put it into my new head? I included a pic to show what I am talking about. Thanks everyone.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3.8l will not start

You have it running but you also need to set the timing using a timing light. Until that's done it will not likely run right.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3.8l will not start

You have it running but you also need to set the timing using a timing light. Until that's done it will not likely run right. If you are talking about the plug with the square recess, either a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive should work. If it is not that size, grind a bolt square and use whatever wrench fits the bolt head.

 

[trooper1822]

Re: 3.8l will not start

You have it running but you also need to set the timing using a timing light. Until that's done it will not likely run right. If you are talking about the plug with the square recess, either a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive should work. If it is not that size, grind a bolt square and use whatever wrench fits the bolt head.

Yea I ran out of time to mess with it today but just getting the engine to fire up was a big enough accomplishment for the day. But even without me getting to set the timing with a timing light it ran fairly smooth. But I would think even so, it should be able to idle. Tomorrow I will work on setting the timing and figuring out the idle issue. Yes it is the plug with a square recess. Tried all sizes of ratchets I have and yea, no go.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 3.8l will not start

If the timing is retarded some then it will not stay running with the throttle at idle. Check the timing before you blame the carb

 

[trooper1822]

Re: 3.8l will not start

If the timing is retarded some then it will not stay running with the throttle at idle. Check the timing before you blame the carb

Had a friend who does all the performance work on my camaro come by today and he brought his timing light and did the timing. We were still having issues with it idling so we made some adjustments to the carb and now it idles perfect. Let it run for about 15 mins today off the garden hose and got the engine warmed up. Everything seems to be working correctly :joyous: Next issue will be figuring out the steering. It will not turn at all.