i agree...try the 351w/302HO firing order. try 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 instead of 1-5-4-2-6--3-7-8. Yes, you can retain the smoothness at idle with an HO/windsor cam. I have a windsor cam in my stock 302 and it idles like stock, just provides a little bit of performance (not much). If this motor was built specifically for the boat i wouldn't doubt that it has an aftermarket cam. cams are an easy upgrade and are a popular upgrade.

 

Ken, True enough I can try the 351 timing order.I believe that I have a vaccume guage. Never used it! I'll call the dizzy supplier today and get the advance curve from him. Since you feel that we can "take the base timing off the list of suspects" do you actually believe that a 351 timing order is in line for trial? Yesterday I installed to new UC16T coil, printed right on the coil are the words "for use with an electronic distributor". Took the boat to the ramp, didn't off load the boat, fired it up while still on the trailor. Rev to 2300 then pop pop pop. I'll mention at this point it ran like the engine was just being overloaded. Like it had reached its point of the max. load that it would pull or push in my case! As I eased the throttle forward the RPM's when up to 2300 and I still had half the throttle left. Push it further forward and it didn't gain one more rev! Just started popping???? Timing light in drive question? Last go around I checked to see if timing had changed during high RPM, I noted that it had. Not having the advance curve I could tell where it should be at any given RPM. So, I'll do my call to the supplier and get the curve. Whats with the vaccume guage? If I have one as I think I do, What do I check with it? I did put in a new set of plugs in when I first began but did not change them after I put in the new dizzy. I will also ask the supplier for his recommendation. I will be monitoring my email all day today. I've got to get this problem resolved so I can move on to other things. I appreciate your help, Thank You. Lee Armistead

 

Scottie, I just posted a memo to Ken, please review and provide any feed back which you may have? I'll try the 351 firing order this morning after I speak with the dizzy supplier. I really appreciate your guys help. Stay tuned! Lee

 

i still think you should try the other firing order. 351 and 302HO have the same firing order. your motor shouldn't be at max on a jet drive....you may want to check the timing chain.....

 

Note to Ken75Ranger and Scottie2hottie. I wouldn't have believed it. I have changed the firing order to that of a 351: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, engine fired right up, idled smooth at 800 RPM and rev'd in the driveway to 3k, 4k 5k with no hesitation. I holding my breath. I ran out of time for today, it started raining. Summer time in Florida, Lots of rain. I will put it under a load condition tomorrow and see what happens. One of my mechanic associates has told me that he thinks its a burnt valve. I haven't run a compression check on this engine in a long time (garaged for 6 yrs) and don't have records anywhere that I can lay my hands on to tell me what it was way back when. Didn't hear back from the dizzy supplier yet either so I'm kinda in limbo just doing what I can. I will update when something new happens. Thanks guys, Lee Armistead

 

i like to bank on the firing order change, but i spose a burnt valve is possible...a compression test is definitely in store if this doesn't fix it....

 

A compression test is a good idea. Make sure you do a leak down test to check the valves. I just tought of something. If the motor sat for 6 years the valve seals could have dried out.

 

A very special message to Ken75Ranger and Scottie2Hottie, not to forget this web site and its forums presented.

May the Lord bless you guys in some special way for the kind of people that you are. In taking all the steps that you have guided me through I believe the problem to be solved.

Just so you know: Compression results are, #1 125, #2 130, #3 120, #4 125, #5 130, #6 130, #7 128, #8 125. Ken, the engine was stored in a controlled environment and totally protected, turned over by hand several times a month, Sea Foam in cylinders (taken care of).

Firing order was changed to that of a 351 / 302 HO being: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Put the boat in the water, and with a great deal of faith launched the boat. Started engine, no hesitation. Idle @ 800 RPM, after clearing the launch area we accelerated to 2100 RPM and held our breath! Throttled forward ----2.5K, throttled forward -----3K, throttled forward -----3.5K. Cruised around for about an hour grinning from ear to ear!!!

From the bottom of my heart, Thanks Guys

 

woohoo!!!!

 

wow, i'm glad you got it running right and i just wanted to say i was the first to suggest firing order, hehe.

 

Glad to hear your up and running. Think of all the knowledge you just gained on the SBF!

 

You may have been the first to suggest firing order but clearly didn't think to use a windsor firing order. Give credit where it's due. This is clearly a combined effort from a bunch of folks. Have fun with your boat Lee!

 

You have said it better than I ever could! We'll be out on the water today and with then price of fuel dropping maybe I won't have to take out a second mortgage to fill the tank. Its been a long dry spell (not being able to get on the water), that's what living in Florida is all about. I love going fishing and being able to actually eat what you catch, bikini and all !!!!