Bobby D
07-11-2007, 11:54 AM
Problem Statement:
I am having trouble finding anyone who is comfortable working the problem due to the age and the fact that it is an old 351 Ford Holman Moody Volvo setup. My problem is the boat ran perfectly last season and than I winterized it and put it away for the winter. This spring (April) I got the boat out of storage and took it home to clean it up and de-winterize. The boat started up as always sounded great and ran perfect for about 4 to 5 minutes and than quit just like I turned the key to the off position. After letting it sit for about 2 or 3 minutes the boat would start back up and run again for about 4 to 5 minutes and than quit. My judgment was I had some type of electrical problem with the MSD ignition system (red box) and I know that MSD now makes a marine (blue box) and distributor. The system was over three years old and it was time to look over the engine in general because it was definitely running rich and things may need replacement and or adjustments.
What did I do about it?
Installed a Ford distributor set up for a 351 Ford Windsor and new spark plugs. Went over the entire fuel delivery system and made sure everything was okay there. The main filter was a couple years old and I replaced it as well. After the work was done I took the boat out for about 2 hours and it ran great. Boat started up as usual without the four-minute shutdown and all systems checked out OK including all the gauges.
Now what?
I am sad to report that after three additional flawless trips out on the Susquehanna River the problem is back again. Last night on the way back to the marina the engine shut down the same way again just as if I turned the engine off with the key. What was different this time is the engine would not start back up, all it did was crank. We were out for about three hours and had made several runs up and down the river and had shut down the engine four or five times at several locations to go swimming and grab a bite to eat.
What I think I know:
The problem appears to be electrical based on the way it just shuts down. The fuel pressure gauge reads 5 poundsand before I went out I filled the boat up with gas so we can rule out fuel delivery. If it is electrical and the distributor, plugs, and electronic ignition are new than it must be something else. Any suggestions on what to go after next will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Bobby D
I am having trouble finding anyone who is comfortable working the problem due to the age and the fact that it is an old 351 Ford Holman Moody Volvo setup. My problem is the boat ran perfectly last season and than I winterized it and put it away for the winter. This spring (April) I got the boat out of storage and took it home to clean it up and de-winterize. The boat started up as always sounded great and ran perfect for about 4 to 5 minutes and than quit just like I turned the key to the off position. After letting it sit for about 2 or 3 minutes the boat would start back up and run again for about 4 to 5 minutes and than quit. My judgment was I had some type of electrical problem with the MSD ignition system (red box) and I know that MSD now makes a marine (blue box) and distributor. The system was over three years old and it was time to look over the engine in general because it was definitely running rich and things may need replacement and or adjustments.
What did I do about it?
Installed a Ford distributor set up for a 351 Ford Windsor and new spark plugs. Went over the entire fuel delivery system and made sure everything was okay there. The main filter was a couple years old and I replaced it as well. After the work was done I took the boat out for about 2 hours and it ran great. Boat started up as usual without the four-minute shutdown and all systems checked out OK including all the gauges.
Now what?
I am sad to report that after three additional flawless trips out on the Susquehanna River the problem is back again. Last night on the way back to the marina the engine shut down the same way again just as if I turned the engine off with the key. What was different this time is the engine would not start back up, all it did was crank. We were out for about three hours and had made several runs up and down the river and had shut down the engine four or five times at several locations to go swimming and grab a bite to eat.
What I think I know:
The problem appears to be electrical based on the way it just shuts down. The fuel pressure gauge reads 5 poundsand before I went out I filled the boat up with gas so we can rule out fuel delivery. If it is electrical and the distributor, plugs, and electronic ignition are new than it must be something else. Any suggestions on what to go after next will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Bobby D