Help Again, Plz

wself

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Apr 3, 2008
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Ok guys here we go, My friend has bought a 1987 BAYLINER 1950 CAPRI CUDDY 3.0 L CHEVY OMC W/ COBRA FOOT when we first started messing with it we could get any Fire from the coil. We got that problem worked out but the motor still will not crank. We took the carb. off and had it rebuilt so we know that it is fine now.

My question is now how do i check the timing and the firing order. It is like a standard motor or is it different. I know in a regular motor you get the number one piston up at TDC and your rotor button should be pointing at the number 1 plug.

Any help would be great guys and thanks in advance for any replies.

Will
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
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Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Help Again, Plz

Ok guys here we go, My friend has bought a 1987 BAYLINER 1950 CAPRI CUDDY 3.0 L CHEVY OMC W/ COBRA FOOT when we first started messing with it we could get any Fire from the coil. We got that problem worked out but the motor still will not crank. We took the carb. off and had it rebuilt so we know that it is fine now.

My question is now how do i check the timing and the firing order. It is like a standard motor or is it different. I know in a regular motor you get the number one piston up at TDC and your rotor button should be pointing at the number 1 plug.

Any help would be great guys and thanks in advance for any replies.

Will
Yup, & the firing order is 1-3-4-2....
You need to make sure that you are in the #1 firing position at TDC by removing the #1 plug & putting your finger over the hole & feeling for compression as the motor moves towards the tdc mark....
Use a remote starter switch for this......;)
The motor will not crank?...
As in, "it will not rotate when the starter is engaged"? or
"it rotates when the starter is engaged, but shows no signs of trying to start & run"?..... :confused:
 

wself

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Re: Help Again, Plz

"it rotates when the starter is engaged, but shows no signs of trying to start & run"?.....

Like i said before it has new plugs, plug wires, points and condenser, Carb has been rebuilt. We are getting fire to the plugs. Just not firing up
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: Help Again, Plz

Did it run before you changed everything?.....:confused:
I'm not an OMC guy, but the point gap should be around.022 initially, the firing order is 1-3-4-2, if you have spark at the plugs, correct(or near correct) timing, fuel & compression it should at least try to start......
Try pouring an ounce or so of gas directly into the carb throat when trying to start......;)
 

wself

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Re: Help Again, Plz

My buddy just bought the boat and it has never run for us, but the motor was rebuilt like a year and a half ago from a local shop.

LOL we are both new to boat motors so this is a very big learning experance.

Thanks going over there in a few minutes to see if we can get it to start.

Will
 

dcg9381

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Aug 26, 2007
Messages
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Re: Help Again, Plz

My buddy just bought the boat and it has never run for us, but the motor was rebuilt like a year and a half ago from a local shop.

If you've got good fuel (this could be tested w/o a rebuilt carb by adding fuel manually) - and good spark, my next suspect would be the rebuild...

I'd do the following:
1) Check compression in all 4.
2) Verify the distributor and valve timing.. I don't think that's an OHV motor, it's been a while since I've worked on one, so valve timing may not be an issue.
 

PINESOL

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Oct 19, 2007
Messages
99
Re: Help Again, Plz

i have had a problem with these exact symptoms .. pull the cap off and see if you can move the distributor shaft by hand .. i had a broken dowell pin on the drive gear of the distributor .. i happened to notice it when i was turning the engine over with the cap off it was turning but would stop and start there fore not firing the cylinders at the correct time ... it was getting me very frustrated . i had spark to the plugs . just not at the right time ..
first for me ... btw same engine and drive .. hope this helps ..
these engines are very simple .. but that had me baffled for a couple days ..
once i found it .. i thought .. duh .. i could grab the rotor and just spin the shaft with it still on the engine .. ..
 

wself

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Apr 3, 2008
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Re: Help Again, Plz

Pinesol,

I noticed the same thing today after I set the timing like 4 times, I can grab the rotor button and turn it. I didn't think that was right but we called a local shop and they said that it was normal. I am new to boat motors so i took there word for it. Where is the dowel pin located at in the drive gear.

Also I am going to take my timming light tomorrow, anyone know what the timming is suppose to be set at.

Thanks Will
 

PINESOL

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Oct 19, 2007
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Re: Help Again, Plz

if indeed you can move the rotor more than just an 1/8 of a turn dont even bother timing it until you pull the distributor out .. you will see the gear right away .. the gear should not move on the shaft at all ... pull it all apart and check that the shaft hole is not all worn out ... check the drive gear for damage .. and most of all try to locate all the pieces of the dowell pin..
put in a new pin .. throw the distributor back on . then set dwell and timing . should start right up ... worked for me ..
timing i believe is -4 deg tdc ..
 
Last edited:

wself

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Apr 3, 2008
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Re: Help Again, Plz

Thanks man I have him out the pulling it out now lol. Thanks for the help I didn't think that is was right but the guy at the shop said it was, LOL i know not to ever take anything to him.

I will keep the thread posted on how I make out.

Thanks again for all the advise

Will
 

wself

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Re: Help Again, Plz

One more thing, could you do a brief walk through of setting the dewl and the points.
 

PINESOL

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99
Re: Help Again, Plz

first you need a dwell meter. pull coil wire from cap then ground coil wire .
the 2 leads on the meter go to the neg side of the coil tower the other to the pos batt terminal turn the engine over and watch the meter. your spec should be 31-34 deg of dwell angle. to change it into range you adjust the point gap larger or smaller .
 

wself

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Re: Help Again, Plz

Thanks man, Found the problem the new rotor button that he bought was not fitting onto the shaft right, so he is going to go get the right one today and we are going to try it again. lol maybe with a little better luck.

One more question does anyone know what the correct timing is for the motor? I am going over there this evening to set it and try to get it started.

Thanks guys

Will
 

PINESOL

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Oct 19, 2007
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Re: Help Again, Plz

4 degrees below top dead center .. good luck ...
 

Coors

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3,367
Re: Help Again, Plz

4 before tdc for 89 octane; 1 after tdc for 87 octane.
 

wself

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Apr 3, 2008
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Re: Help Again, Plz

Hey guys

Again thanks for the help. WOOOOHOOO we got it running. LOl now we have other problems but will start another thread for them.

Thanks for the help

Will
 
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