85hp wont idle

[fordmechanic]

I have a 1975 85 hp motor and it wont idle. The engine will start but it takes some time you have to have the fast idle up and choke it and it will run for a lil bit. it will rev up fine but it wont idle. The carbs have been cleaned. That helped some but didnt cure the problem. What would be a good idea of the problem? What should i do? Does a sync and link sould like a logical idea? The compression on the motor was all above 100. All the cylinders have spark. Thanks for the help. Im at a loss on this one.

 

[DJ]

Re: 85hp wont idle

The synch and link is a good thought, especially since the carbs have been removed.

 

[fordmechanic]

Re: 85hp wont idle

How much of a job is it to do the sync and link? Do you have any info on it? Thanks

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 85hp wont idle

What you're describing is pretty common with the 1973-77 V4s. We've had some discussions on it in the past here, without real resolution of the problem. It does help to set the idle at the fast end of the stock spec - I think 700 rpm, in gear, idling in the water. Getting both butterflys dead in synch helps too, and Joe Reeves suggests gapping the plugs at 0.040 (stock is 0.030).

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: 85hp wont idle

If you can keep it running long enough i would decarb it or sea foam which ever is your favorite, could be the reeds are gummed up.

 

[fordmechanic]

Re: 85hp wont idle

Hey there. I did the sync and link and checked everything. The engine still does the same thing as it did before. There was something funny when i had the plugs out of it and was getting the timing pointer in line i could hear fluid in the crankcase. That sure had me thinking. So i fired the engine up with carb and choke that is the only way it will run and it ran fine for a lil bit and then i had it to idle without the carb and choke then it died and wouldnt want to start at all. I dont know what to do with it all i know is its getting me frustrated. Thanks

 

[bubbakat]

Re: 85hp wont idle

Check the low idle jets and see if maybe one or two are stopped up.<br />I have a 1975 85 h/p and had some trouble with it idling so I went from a number 28 low idle jet to a 29 but I also had a low idle miss so before you chang them take a small wire and see if there is something in there shutting down the fuel.<br />If you haven't had the motor long check and see if it has the right size low speed jets in it.<br />This is just a thought now.<br />I know it gets very frustrating but it can be resolved.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 85hp wont idle

OK, I didn't know you needed the choke to idle when I said "the 73-77 V4s all run like that". That's not normal. Sounds like dirty low speed circuits in the carbs, or an air leak. Are the carbs clean internally?

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: 85hp wont idle

My 74 70hp is like that but it will idle with the manual choke lever in the auto position but not if you push it in, don't ask me why but it works that way. if you pull it all the way out mine floods like a drunk with a credit card.

 

[fordmechanic]

Re: 85hp wont idle

Hey there guys. Well i took both carbs off completely cleaned them jets and all. I did the sync and link and that helped i could get the engine to idle on the hose with the choke in auto and not choking it. I took the boat to the lake and i started it with the choke in the on position and it ran like top. When i put the choke in the auto setting the engine wouldnt run at all it would start and die. Well that pissed me off so i took it home and then decided to check some things and now it has no spark. I then put a new powerpack on it and it only has #3 firing. Please help me out im ready to put a 44 slug threw it. Thanks