spark plug problem

[jeremymik84]

hi all, new to boats so please excuse me if this is stupid question.. i searched around everywhere because i just bought new plugs for my 96 caravelle 1750 se with mercruiser 3.0 alpha one. the plugs came pre gapped at .045 and my flame arrestor states a .035 plug gap... well i pull the old plugs out to check the gap on them and theyre all at .042 and smell like gas slightly.. i took pics and will upload them shortly, but my question is.. what should i set the gap at? i know the flame arrestor states .035 but ive heard that it got changed from .035 to .045 so im confused... also what makes them smell like gas? bad carb tuning? bad coil? bad wires? or were the plugs themselves bad? please help me out!

 

[Fishermark]

What ignition do you have? Also, what brand and part # spark plugs do you have?

 

[jeremymik84]

im not sure of the ignition, like i said im new to this lol, could you tell me where to find this info and i will definitely get it for you quickly and as far as the spark plugs the flame arrestor specifies ac delco part # mr43lts, the plugs in the boat (which to state again, are gapped at .042 instead of .035 like flame arrestor says) are champion rs12yc...

 

[jeremymik84]

distributor is delco remy brand. spark plugs wires are mercruiser suppression 2095 if this helps

 

[jeremymik84]

here's number 1(closest to the bow)

here's number 2

here's number 3

aaand here's number 4 (closest to the stern)

i also found the firing order on the service manual and mine doesnt seem to be following that, wanted to get your opinion before i swapped it around. i marked them color coded based on which wire went from to cylinder from distributor to plug.

here's what the service manual says the firing order is:

 

[keith2k455]

I don't think you have any problem. Firing order in your pic matches the page in the manual, 1-3-4-2

plugs look pretty good to me as well. I say gap new ones to service manual and go.

 

[jeremymik84]

sounds good, i already new plugs gapped, about to go throw em in and hopefully no engine shake lol, doesnt seem to run too rough but every once in a while the motor will do a little shake (kind of like a shiver when you pee haha) will let you know how it goes in a few

 

[jeremymik84]

just put plugs in and ran her on the muffs for about 10 minutes...man what a difference in cranking time... no more 5-10 second turn over.. it crunk right up...still in my opinion has a SLIGHT rough idle.. mind you im new to boating and dont know how these motors should idlee but seems to be a tad rough IMO but seems to be much more responsive and cranks a hell of a lot better..im going to do wires next just because i dunno when theyve been done last. but these plugs seem to do alot better than the champions that were in it... oh yea cylinder 3 plug broke in half when i pulled it out again... when i first removed plugs they were very very tight... i had to bow up on them very hard to get em loose. thanks for all of your help

 

[NHGuy]

hey, minor thing, separate those wires. In the before pic the coil wire was hard against the #3 plug wire. Sometimes you get some cross firing if wires touch and aren't too fresh.
Regarding the roughness, it might just be that you are using an ancient design American pushrod inline 4, they ain't exactly the smoothest thing ever made.

 

[jeremymik84]

will do! thanks i appreciate the tips! and i figured it was something having to do with being an older motor. and like i said i am going to swap the plug wires soon just for extra peace of mind, but for now ill separate them like you suggested. its nice having such boat savvy so accessible.. wish there was more around me to help do my stereo in the boat :laugh:

 

[Georgesalmon]

Put some anti-sieze on those new plugs. You can get a little packet at your local auto parts store.

 

[jeremymik84]

i did, thanks though