Prostar 351, stalls in reverse or when going in to gear.

[mtajpa]

Pull it out of the valve cover and plug with you thumb.

[j.mccreight@hotmail.com]

What does it mean when you shake the pcv valve and it rattles?

[College Kid]

OK a little bit of an update, after a couple trips to the shops I have switch over to the Pertronix Ignitor EI. I had the hardest time trying to find a new set of points and decided to bit the bullit and just switch over. It started up great on the first time, but as soon as the choke become fully open it stalled out. I have re set the carb screws back in to a 1 1/2 turns in but can't seem to get it to idle below 1000 rpm. and it is still surging about 100 rpm forward.

I did check the PCV valve and it seems to be loose and fine. Although I did notice that there were no hose clamp holding it on and wonder if I could be getting some sort of leak there?

I still need to check timing and unfortunatly the parts stores around here don't loan them out. I have a friend coming by tomorrow with one so we can check it.

Is there anything else that I should be checking over since switching to EI?

[Cloaked]

Originally Posted by College Kid

OK a little bit of an update, after a couple trips to the shops I have switch over to the Pertronix Ignitor EI. I had the hardest time trying to find a new set of points and decided to bit the bullit and just switch over. It started up great on the first time, but as soon as the choke become fully open it stalled out. I have re set the carb screws back in to a 1 1/2 turns in but can't seem to get it to idle below 1000 rpm. and it is still surging about 100 rpm forward.

I did check the PCV valve and it seems to be loose and fine. Although I did notice that there were no hose clamp holding it on and wonder if I could be getting some sort of leak there?

I still need to check timing and unfortunatly the parts stores around here don't loan them out. I have a friend coming by tomorrow with one so we can check it.

Is there anything else that I should be checking over since switching to EI?

Timeing is about the only thing that you need, as you stated. Are you adjusting the choke as you tweak on the tuning? The choke can be adjusted by loosening the three screws and turning the body of the electric choke to meet the needs of the setting. There is also a possibility that the choke mechanism (the internal coil) can be faulty. Doesn't take much to change the choke setting. I'd adjust accordingly, i.e. when the engine is warm to idle or throttle up (if you're running it in the driveway) the choke should be open. If it's not, then loosen the screws and rotate it enough to make it fully open. All the same for a cold or closed position. There's a range that the coil allows and there could be an issue within the choke itself. Just throwing that out there.

Igniion off (cold) it should be closed and at normal operating temp, it should be open. Improper adjustment will not allow the choke to find it's proper place, accordingly.

Timing is indeed important. Work on that first, then consider other actions.

.

.

[tockit]

Originally Posted by College Kid

OK a little bit of an update, after a couple trips to the shops I have switch over to the Pertronix Ignitor EI. I had the hardest time trying to find a new set of points and decided to bit the bullit and just switch over. It started up great on the first time, but as soon as the choke become fully open it stalled out. I have re set the carb screws back in to a 1 1/2 turns in but can't seem to get it to idle below 1000 rpm. and it is still surging about 100 rpm forward.

I did check the PCV valve and it seems to be loose and fine. Although I did notice that there were no hose clamp holding it on and wonder if I could be getting some sort of leak there?

I still need to check timing and unfortunatly the parts stores around here don't loan them out. I have a friend coming by tomorrow with one so we can check it.

Is there anything else that I should be checking over since switching to EI?

You won't regret the electronic ignition, especially in a marine environment.

You do know that you can adjust the idle speed on the passenger side of the carburetor with the screw that faces up, just inboard of your throttle linkage?

IIRC, screwing it out slows down the idle, and in increases the idle speed. I could have that backwards, but you'll figure it out quickly.

Normally this is done after your idle mixture is adjusted.

[College Kid]

yep know about the idle speed, I am not that green, lol although I know it looks that way from this tread.

I can't drop it any more with out the engine stalling out. I am hoping the timing will be off and once re set it will cure the problem. After that I think we are out of options.

I should have an update by noon tomorrow.

Thanks again guys for all you advice and help.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Great to hear of the progress. You will enjoy the Pertronix upgrade. I had to adjust the timing slightly after I installed mine.

[College Kid]

Does anyone have a "How to" for setting timing on the 351W? I did a bunch of searching can't seem to find a clean process?

[College Kid]

Well I have some news,

The timing was set way advanced when we checked the timing, I wasn't able to find a for sure setting for timing but we I had read that it was 10 or 6. We tried both settings but niether was perfect. I have it set at 6 now and am holding around 1100 rpm. Can't seem to get it drop below with out stalling out. This is running with the 1 1/2 to 2 turns off on the carb tuning.

Any thoughts on if it should be 8 or 10 for timing? Or where to look next for issues. I thinking I should get it to the lake and see if it drops the rpm's to a resonable level when in the water, or is there something else I should look at before?

[tockit]

Originally Posted by College Kid

Does anyone have a "How to" for setting timing on the 351W? I did a bunch of searching can't seem to find a clean process?

What year is your boat?
It's probably 10 BTDC, but if you're having this much trouble keeping it from stalling, the timing isn't whats causing your issue.
Sounds like a carburetor/fuel related issue.
It idle without stalling anywhere between 6 to 10 BTDC if everything else is correct.
You've got other problems...