Hey guys , on my newly aquired commander 31 , with its original 350q engines , I have an issue where If it sits for say 2 weeks , when trying to start it , it’s hard to start . I always pump it a few times then engage the starter . I have to crank for a bit then rest to not over heat the starter. After a bit it’ll finally roar to life . Is there an issue with the fuel evaporating out of the carter carbs ? It has its original carter afb 4 barells. Also , are these engines known for starter heat soak ? Because after I’ve ran it a bit . When cutting it off and going to restart they drag some while cranking. I know it’ll be a pita to change the starters (I’ll have to be a human pretzel to get on between the hull and block to get them off ) all three batteries are new and 1000mca each so I know there are plenty of amps to get them started. Once they start , they run excellent and smooth. I also have a suspect bad amp guage on the starboard engine , it shows discharge even with the key off. Needle never moves at all . Any insight you could shed would be appreciated .
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This sounds familare. Check your oul for fuel. Smell, vescosity, and a test where you put a drop of oil on some dark card board, if you get a ring in a ring I would suspect the fuel pump. If not that yes the carter fuel bowl may be draining dry. Last thing my engines did this when the timing was retarded too muchbut they would flood out and stall when loaded up. Do your engines run up under load to full rated rpm? Let us know what you figure out!
After more than 2 days I've never had the engines start without extended cranking. I have a small wash bottle that holds about 50ml. I fill about 3/4 and add nearly half down each overflow horn and maybe 10cc to each carbs primary. Reinstall the arrestors and fire them off. A long considered option is to add supplemental electric pumps.
There's a long detailed dissertation with drawing and parts list by Professor Morland hiding in the archives.
Well documented in the archives about carb drought as I call it. There is a fix but requires a pushbutton, fuel pressure gauge, and an electrical (Marine) Fuel pump. Search by author: Morland and Cowles. Both authored stories on these mod upgrades, but yes, it's normal. If you don't want to go this route, I usually 1) Spin engine 3-5 secs without pumping. This gives a chance for the carb to fill. 2) After the first spin, Pump 3 times and then spin again. Usually starts. With the mod upgrade, you push the button and watch fuel pressure, when it rises up to between 4-5 psi, Let go and start the engine.
@Lee Dahlen I’ll try that once I splash her back in the water . @Timothy Miller there is a fuel pump on each incoming line but of course they are inop . Probably date back to the 90s lol. @john Minnella no fuel in oil . Oil is clean