Fuel Shutoff Valve

[robinsbd]

I was thinking of installing a fuel shutoff valve so I can run the carb dry. Which section of the line is the best place to install a valve? I have a Mercarb and the original mechanical fuel pump.

​I'm trying to prevent having to rebuild my carb every year. Last year I used Stabil in the gas, but I still had to clean the carb in the Spring because it would not idle otherwise.

 

[Scott Danforth]

fuel shut-off valve is the best best way to damage the pump there is....

pulling the fuel filter will run the motor out of fuel without damaging the pump

how many months do you let the motor sit? how often do you run the tank empty and fill per season?

 

[robinsbd]

Well, I'm filling it now with fresh gas for the winter layup. I think this is my third tank full this year. The motor will sit from now till about May (at least 7 months). The last 2 seasons I've had to clean and rebuild the carb to get it running normal again. I'm really good at carb rebuilds, but I'd rather not do it again next year if I can help it.

I think the biggest issue is fuel evaporating from the float bowl and my Mercarb does not have a bowl drain. Perhaps adding something to the fuel in the bowl will keep it from evaporating. I could spray Seafoam directly through the vent. I already plan on adding Seafoam to the gas in the tank. What to you think?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Skip the seafoam

Use the boat more often to get more fuel turns

 

[QBhoy]

Think you are wasting your time with this. As AD mentions, you will likely damage the mechanical pump.
Of all the boats I?ve had with inboard engines, it?s never been an issue come the new season.

 

[Bondo]

I was thinking of installing a fuel shutoff valve so I can run the carb dry.

Ayuh,.... Bad idea,.... If ya wanta run the carb dry, disconnect the fuel line, Before the fuel pump,....

 

[robinsbd]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm going to try the opposite approach and try to keep the carb moist with fuel during the winter.

I would love to keep using the boat, but in my part of the country, I have to store it during winter.

A friend of mine has a classic car he just restored and it has 3 carbs. His plan is to start it up once a month just to keep everything working through the winter. I don't want to start the boat because I don't have a water supply in the building where my boat is stored, but if I can fill the carb with fuel periodically, maybe i can keep it from drying out on me.

 

[Scott Danforth]

When I lived in Wisconsin. my boat went in to storage in late November / Early December, and was on the water for April 1st. (last in, first out). the guy I rented storage from thought I was nuts.

that first ride of the year was always in snowmobile suits

for a few months, you have to drain after every outing, or simply hang a 50 watt trouble light in the bilge

with short seasons, you gotta use it as often as possible.

 

[robinsbd]

Wow, that's awesome. I thought I was late pulling out this year. I'm still sitting in the water now and I'm in northern Illinois.