Carb Spacer

[Blind__Squirrel]

Greetings Everyone,
I have searched and found many answers on this forum but this is my first post.

Boat Info
Boat is a 2002 Tracker Targa 18 I/O 3.0 MerCruiser Alpha 1
I have just finished rebuilding the Carb.(Kit came with thin base gasket and I have read that can be a problem adjusting the carb,)
New fuel filter in carb and added an in line fuel filter between tank and pump. ( Boat sat for 2-3 years and tank was really bad. I flushed it as best I could by putting fuel in it and pressurizing the tank to push fuel out by extending the hose to the pump out of the drain and catching it multiple times. Would have to remove the floor and consoles to free the tank in this model boat. Had to cut a hole in the floor to replace the sending unit in tank)
New marine plugs, wires, cap and rotor are arriving in the next few days for a complete tune up.
I believe timing is good and will reaffirm after the tuneup.
Factory tach only.


The boat runs OK with just the carb rebuild but does not like to idle in the specified range. Adjusting the carb has not helped and i cannot get it to stumble when adjusting.

I am not going to assume that the rest of the tune up will fully resolve the issue given what I have read about the base gasket but should at least make an improvement.

My question is will a carb spacer assist in improving idle?


Sorry for the post length, wanted to include applicable info.
Has anyone had any experience with the spacer assisting with idle, warm starts or general performance at/around idle?
I do not expect to see performance gains, as i understand it the 3.0LX is what it is and that is fine.
I am purely interested to know if a spacer will assist in obtaining a smooth idle. The thicker base gasket is said to make a difference We do idle a lot as we net for bait and when we run jugs to catch smaller cats for the freezer. In doing so we shift the boat in and out of gear often so I would like my idle at the lowest end of the idle range as possible. We also move frequently when fishing and have noticed a little harder start when warm.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Adjusting the carb has not helped and i cannot get it to stumble when adjusting.
If the mixture screws do not cause the motor to run rough or run rich , then the carb needs a good cleaning

 

[Blind__Squirrel]

soaked and cleaned when rebuilt.

 

[scoflaw]

If you can't get the engine to stall by turning the adjusting screws in, then it's getting an air source from someplace else. Most likely the wrong base gasket you used.

 

[Blind__Squirrel]

Found no leaks but i did not mess with the adjustment much looking for the stumble points. Weather had been crap and we just now have a ramp that can be used to get a boat in the water due to our lakes being 25 feet above normal pool (still) and flood damage has closed the river ramps. That and the wife has had me in Kitchen remodel, landscaper, all new flooring mode.

I know that at a minimum an OEM gasket is needed. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with a spacer and the effect on idle. It is going to be a few days before I can get to it and am looking for first hand experience before i do anything. No reason to waste 40 bucks if there is no evidence that it has the effect I am looking for. That and it seems like it takes 20 minutes to get that one lock nut off the stud under the throttle linkage lol.