Re: [OMC-Boats] Hello

1) What engine is in your Surfer, 200 hp Buick 300? or 210 hp Chevy
307 ? ( Buick has the distributor at the front, Chevy is in back.)

2) What altitude are you running at; a) Before and b) After ?
Altitude can cause a straight 4% loss per 1000' but it's a very subtle
and even loss of power, so I would guess it is not you primary problem.

3) You mentioned you just picked up this boat? Depending on it's
recent history, you may be chasing down fuel/carb issues and these may
or may not be in combination with electrical/spark issues.

4) So erratic running and loss of power are most likely symptoms of
either fuel or spark or often both.

Attach the troubleshooting logically and keep track of every change
you make.

I find it easier to totally eliminate spark issues first. That means
checking/replacing spark plugs, wires, coil, distributor cap & rotor,
points condensor, ballast resistor or whatever you have substituted.
Battery and most especially cables/.connectors need to be double
checked for oxidation-free conditions. Any fully-charged Group 24 or
Group 27 marine starting battery should be fine, but double check the
cables and that includes the return path grounds. A timing light and
dwell/tach meter are helpful. Remember, while it is an automotive
engine, electrical system parts (distributor/alternator/starter) need
to be marine approved to prevent potential explosions or fires.

Fuel system problems, require checking/cleaning the carb bowls/seat
valves and floats, check the fuel pump for adequate flow, check ALL
the filters, and make sure you have a look at the inside of the tank
for rust. This requires removing the fuel tank and pulling out the
sending unit. You'll usually see signs of dirty or varnished fuel, but
not always. Fuel contamination can hide and re-appear in strange ways.
Sometimes it can take many outings to get everything completely
flushed thru the entire system, tank to carb jets.

Lee

On Aug 25, 2009, at 10:51 AM, Greg Tabers wrote:

> Hey Justin-
> I am new to the list as well. I just picked up a 1967 Johnson Surfer
> in June. I will have to put some pictures up of when I got it. What
> a mess! What year is the one you are getting. I would love to bounce
> info off of you as you go.
>
> To the forum I have a question. I replaced the point system in my
> boat with a light system made by "Accel". Before I replaced it I had
> tried everything I could think of to get the motor started.
> Everything tested fine and finally determined that it was the
> condensor. Once I replaced it, it fired right up and was idling
> pretty smooth. At the time I was borrowing my uncles battery from
> his boat. My family and took the boat out 3 times and it ran great.
> My family makes an annual trip every year and my uncle was taking
> his boat so I had to give him his battery back. I bought a new
> battery and headed up to the lake. I had all kinds of problems
> getting it to run right. There was no HP and the top speed was
> easily 15 miles slower. We tried adjusting the carb thinking it may
> have been the altitude, but that didn't fix it. On the second day it
> actually died and I couldn't get it started. I found out that the
> electronic timing piece I put in had broke. The light sensor had
> seperated from the mounting plate. I finally got that fixed and
> decided to try it again. I got it running, but still no horse power
> and no top end.
>
> I saw a post about proper battery size a couple of weeks ago. I
> haven't checked what my uncles battery was, but I was wondering if
> my problems were caused by an under-powered
> battery or the altitude change or what. Any ideas?
> --- On Tue, 8/25/09, Justin DeSantis <duc1098desmo@...> wrote:
>
> From: Justin DeSantis <duc1098desmo@...>
> Subject: [OMC-Boats] Hello
> To: omc-boats@...
> Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 7:31 AM
>
> Hello. Just joined the list. Hoping there are still a few active,
> knowledgeable members. I'm picking up an old Johnson Surfer later this
> week or weekend and I'm sure I'll have questions. Boat is a one owner
> in excellent shape for it's age. All original, runs good. It's water
> ready as is. I was looking at newer boats, but the Surfer came along
> and I just sort of like it's funky retro look. Plus, it belongs to an
> old family friend so I know it's history. It's been very well
> maintained and kept indoors. I live near Pittsburgh, so I'll be using
> it on the rivers and maybe some on Erie.
>
> Ok, so that's the boat, I guess I should also tell you about me.
> Pretty boring really. Currently unemployed. Laid off like lots of
> other people. Until recently, I've worked in the motorcycle industry.
> I've been a tech, sales man, sales manager and service manager. Did
> that for 14 years. Now looking for my next adventure. The Surfer won't
> be my first boat, I had a Glastron with a Johnson motor before that.
> Technically, I still have it. But the motor is old and needs a few
> parts I haven't been able to find for a price worth buying. Well in
> the interest of keeping this short, I'll stop now. If I left out any
> crucial details, feel free to ask.
>
> Justin
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Received on Tuesday, 25 August 2009