98 speedster off idle performance and various

[sandshark]

Hi, just introduced myself in the intro forum. Now a couple questions:
I very recently picked up a 98 speedster.
Cosmetically some sun damage but that part is coming along nicely with some elbow grease and TLC. There is unfortunately no storage tray for the engine compartment, nor can I seem to locate one. (Help?)

Three items so far:

Due to what I feel is a summer in saltwater on Coronado, there was some pretty good corrosion on the steering nozzles and a lot of the paint was eaten away. I have removed them and salt-x'd, wire wheeled, and dremel sanded to good metal, and will recoat them this weekend. I'm going to use Rustoleum industrial gloss black. Any issues?

Steering was VERY tight. A dealership said I needed a whole new cable and was willing to do the install for 500 bucks My thought was saltwater corrosion @ the transom. I basically took apart everything from the thru-hull fittings at the transom on back and cleaned, polished, and lubed all pieces. Steering is (without anything to measure against as far as other boats) 95% better. Again, any comments?

Now my bigger question: The boat apparently had a full service last summer, and the 787's look pretty clean. Some very mild smell of fuel in the engine compartment which I wil assume is normal? New Battery, Plugs, etc. The engines sadly were not prepped for storage and I am looking at 6 month old gas w/out stabilizer. The engines both start great, out of water idle is @ ±3500 rpm. (Starboard Tach is sticking a little though, and I apparently am not alone in having my gas gauge not working) As soon as I bump the throttles, they (equally, although I run only one at a time so I can listen better) stagger and hiccup. No revs. Fair amount of smoke. I was told 300-400 for full carb rebuilds by (again) a dealership. My thought is they have maybe some varnish or just need cleaned out., etc. Comment?

EDIT: I was just reading something about rev limiters on a thread in here somewhere. I want to now add that this is in Neutral. I am hooking water to the lower pump support flushing connector as I test each engine. How long can I run for when connected this way?

All in all the boat is pretty clean and I am looking forward to getting it on the water. The price (from a good friend with way too many toys) was VERY tempting so I jumped on it.

Thanks and again I appreciate you all being here.

-M.

 

[All Things Custom]

Well I will try to address all I can remember from the post...

1.) If the cable is working I wouldnt replace it unles it is really stiff and hard to turn. some wd40 in the ends and fresh water running will loosen it up some more. just make sure it is in good shape and not spliting open in the engine bay.

2.) these carbs are very easy to fix. There are very small filters in each carb on the fuel pump sides. take the four screws out and you will see a small black ring. Pull it out and clean it with a q-tip and some carb cleaner. This is always a first resort before a rebuild. clean them all out and re-assemble. be very careful when taking them apart that you dont damage the rubber gaskets.

3.) There are rev limiters but that is not what you are experiencing. You are experiencing a lean condition due to clogged carbs.
These boats are a direct drive. there is no engaging the drive system. The only thing the leaver for forward and reverse does is lowers and raises a drop nozzle in front of the jet to re-direct water.

Which brings us to the next item. dont run them too long on the hose without first spraying some wd-40 or other lubricant in the pump. The motor is cooled but the pumpm is cooled by the water in the lake so it is runnig dry on the hose for the most part...

 

[sandshark]

Thanks, All Things for the fast reply.

Yeah I understand the direct drive, I was just reading a different thread 'bout rev limit and was curious.
I will try the carb filters first.

Again, thank you.

Marc

 

[sandshark]

OK. I just snapped the first bolt I started to remove on the flame arrestor plate, on the port engine. :banghead:

MAN they are tight. With the plastic airbox, using heat seems like a bad idea. I am not amused here. Any comment? Break free would be hard to get behind the plate.
I am at a standstill.

Thanks...

 

[sandshark]

I know you're all dying to know what happened NEXT (right, Karl?)

SO -

Port side 787,
3 bolts snapped.
Bolt extractor
Marvel Mystery Oil
Hammer

Man my ribs are sore from leaning in over the back seats. Maybe a sleeping bag pad?

Starboard side 787

I am using PB Blaster and waiting 24 hours. Back and forth a little on each. Tap Tap w/Hammer.

We shall see.

 

[kustomkarl]

That PB blaster is a charm. Give the bolts a little tap and turn at the same time. Take your time and don't use too much muscle on the bolts or they will break off. Be patient and spray PB blaster again and light taps...thay will come out.

Karl