Drive noise and general advice needed

[smiles16]

So about a month ago I posted a couple topics pertaining to my boat restoration, particularly the engine swap. All is now good in that area, with a nice low hour, late 80's mercruiser 120 in place. Had to have the bearings replaced and revealed on the alpha 1 gen 1, so it's like new.

First problem, engine ran fine with a line running directly from the pump to a portable gas can. After installing the new fuel lines and water separator, I can't seem to get fuel to the pump. I found a trickle of gas in the filter. Do I just need to keep pouring fuel in the carb and run it long enough for it to catch prime?

Second problem (maybe). The drive makes a light clicking sound when trimmed up and running on muffs in neutral. Is this normal? If not, thoughts? I know my gimbal and joints are good. Shifts in and out of gear just fine.

Third question, do I absolutely need trim senders? The wires are rotted out. Plan on replacing these when I service the bellows in the spring. Just want to make sure I won't blow anything up during the test runs.

You guys are awesome, any advice would be very helpful.

 

[Bondo]

The drive makes a light clicking sound when trimmed up and running on muffs in neutral.

Ayuh,.... Everything but the prop shaft turns with the crankshaft,....

Trimmed up is way past where the u-joints can turn properly,...

I suspect yer beatin' the u-joints badly,....

Is the tank willin' to give up it's fuel, sounds like there's a restriction,....

'n Nope, don't need the trim sender or switch,....
That's the 1st thing to go on my boats,....

 

[smiles16]

Thanks bondo,

I'm going give the fuel prime another try today, but on the drive, it sounds like it's coming from the lower.

And on those trim senders/switch, do you just disconnect the wires?

 

[Fishermark]

If the drive is not "completely" in neutral, it will tick as the dog clutches hit. Try adjusting the shift a little more.

And yes, you can simply disconnect the wires for the sender. You might want join the wires together for the trim limit so your trim switch will work.

 

[smiles16]

Just tried to get the prime on the fuel pump with that new fuel/water separator. Still can't get fuel to the carb. I have filled the filter with gas, poured gas in the carb, sprayed starting fluid... Nothing. Once the engine runs out of its ether/gas I added it dies. Nothing coming out of the accelerator jets. I know my tank pickup and pump are good because I can run a straight line and everything is fine.

 

[indybleck]

What about the anti siphon on your on board tank

 

[NHGuy]

If the tank is pristine, great. If not drain & clean it. Since you say your tank & pick up are good, recheck the fuel line from the tank to the pump. You could have either a leak in the fuel line which would make your fuel arrive with some air, or maybe you have a blocked tank vent. Try to prime it with the gas cap loose.

 

[79_banshee]

If the tank is pristine, great. If not drain & clean it. Since you say your tank & pick up are good, recheck the fuel line from the tank to the pump. You could have either a leak in the fuel line which would make your fuel arrive with some air, or maybe you have a blocked tank vent. Try to prime it with the gas cap loose.

I agree

 

[smiles16]

Hmmm... I'll give it a try

 

[Bondo]

Nothing coming out of the accelerator jets. I know my tank pickup and pump are good because I can run a straight line and everything is fine.

Ayuh,.... Run a straight line from where to what,..??

If from the tanks outlet to the fuel pump, works,...
But don't goin' through the fuel filter,...
There's a vacuum leak at the fuel filter somewhere,....

 

[smiles16]

Okay guys, feel in' pretty dumb right now, but the fuel problem was my fault. I took off the vent line and shot about 10 psi of air in it and found gas shooting out of the filter housing.... I didn't notice there was a 5th hole in the bottom of the base. Put the plug in and all is well.

As the for the clicking noise, I noticed it went away when I lowered the drive and pulled back on the shift cable. So I think it just wasn't 100% in the neutral position.

Now I need to figure out why my idle is a bit rough. Tune up has been done, I played with the idle air mix screw and smoothed it out a bit on the mercruiser carb. What would be a good base RPM running on muffs? I know I need to set this in the water, but looking for a ballpark for now. As for the rough idle, it smooths out just fine when given gas. I am assuming it's a carb issue or adjustment since compression is good.