[alberg30] Spark plug problems

[Dan Sternglass]

From: Dan Sternglass <dans at stmktg.com>

[this is a re-send, I had network problems, hope this works now]

greg vandenberg wrote:
> 
> From: greg vandenberg <fashionguy at mailhost.kal.ameritech.net>
> 
> Dan... I've been very suspicious of my carboration and was the reason for
> running the hotter plugs. The plugs were black and I did wire brush them and
> tried them again but was still suspect (running a little better) so I put in a
> spar set and every thing ran great from then on. I have dodged resetting the
> mixture because of the access problem I perceive in getting to the needled
> valves...... Question: Would foul plugs act as Alan's motor did...  great in
> neutral and reverse and lousy in forward. Alan's solution was to replace the
> coil.... HUMMMM?

Greg, Shawn,

In my case, what happened was that the engine would run OK for a short
while (< 1 Hr) with new plugs, then start losing power. In forward, the
boat would barely go at all. I did not suspect the mixture until I
removed the carb and took it to a local small engine guy I know, and
described the problem. After there was no improvement from blowing it
out, he suggested the mixture. Yes, it ran great in neutral, but had no
power in forward (so presumably none in reverse either).

To address your question, Shawn, on my Atomic 4 (I think mine is a
Zenith carb) the main needle is a screw secured by a retaining nut on
the bottom of the carb. The A-4 manual suggests how to judge the
setting... In fact, I initially set it too lean, and had to choke the
engine slightly to make it run smoothly under load unitl I got it right.

Plug problems went away, like magic, but you can be SURE that I carry 2
sets of extra plugs these days. In the 14 years I have had the boat, I
replaced the distrubutor, points, condenser and leads about 10 years
ago, and had the old Prestolite alternator rebuilt this season, but I've
never touched the coil.

Hope this helps.

--Dan S.
dans at stmktg.com

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