Launch day yesterday made use of my Boat U.S. Membership...

[southcoasting]

So after a gruelsome 2 months of solid everyday work to get to this day on my new 72 T34c, all was great while launching...Newly stuffed boxes we good, my new raw water engine thruhull was good, my patched transducer hole held up, engine turned on an idled for about 15 minutes while we got ready for the 1.5 hour ride to her mooring...

but then, as I we got ready to leave, I put in reverse and she was backing up fine, better than my T27 actually, put in forward to do a tight turn and it bogged and shut down...

I tried again a few times in higher rpm and it just would not stay on in forward...a buddy came over and while looking at the engine to study what happens noticed when it shut down it would backfire and somewhere around the carb/oil fill area and a little smoke would come out of there...

I hit the search on the forums for possible fixes but have not had a chance to try any yet except change the coil...Could some of my valves be stuck and maybe cause this issue?

The engine is the original raw water cooled from 72. It sat for about 4-5 years prior to my launch from what I understand...while not in gear, she revs and sounds great...While getting her ready, I had converted to electric fuel pump, installed new racor filter, polishing filter, new plugs, new points, new igniter, acid wash...

We ended up just calling Boat U.S. to get towed as it was getting late and we figured we would just get her to her mooring and we would figure out the issue after hoping my engine is not actually blown. I never checked for cylinder pressure although I should have prior to launching...rookie mistake.

I will go to the boat this am to work out some kinks I did not get a chance to work out yesterday but, any other suggestions?

[Mo]

Sorry to hear that went a tad sour on you. Sure sounds like valves. Compression check and timing check...both need to be done. Sounds like valves stuck though.

Good luck with that. I have no doubt you will sort it out.

Mo

[Skywalker]

Sorry to hear, Freddie, but initially launchings have to be memorable, don't they?!

When I first launched Skywalker all those years ago, I ran aground...twice!!

Young and stupid. Brought her to a harbor I wasn't familiar with, at night, one known for shoaling and swift currents. What could go wrong.

I strayed a boat length or so out of the channel and got stuck. A fisherman was out there and gave me a tow. He then offered to lead me through this tricky part. Well, I followed him dutifully until I ran aground again. He pulled me off, apologized, lead me to deeper water, and I finally made it to the slip.

Anyway, I look forward to hearing how you are doing. Best of luck. These guys will get you through.

Chris
Skywalker

[southcoasting]

lol...Thanks Chris! Yeah, we did not feel too bad...Actually felt good just to get the boat in the water...wife felt the same way as she knows how hard and stressful it has been to my body to work for two months straight, nearly everyday...Also felt good to use my Boat U.S. membership for once...glad I had it...


I will go to the boat this am to take care of a few things I did not get a chance to (rigging, bilge pump not priming, install solar panel). I will check for stuck valves while I'm there first. Thanks Mo! Will report what I find

[ndutton]

. . . . . a buddy came over and while looking at the engine to study what happens noticed when it shut down it would backfire and somewhere around the carb/oil fill area and a little smoke would come out of there...

This symptom pretty strongly suggests to me you're getting combustion with one or more intake valves open. Either there's a sticking valve(s) issue as you suspect or a timing problem, both of which Mo mentioned.

A timing problem can be as simple as crossed plug wires (always good to double check the simple stuff). Interesting too that RPM seems to be a contributing factor. The timing advance mechanism is RPM related. There are a couple of possible scenarios concerning that. Another easy check is to make sure the advance weights are oiled and moving freely. If they are and there are no compression problems or crossed plug wires, try retarding the timing by rotating the distributor clockwise a little.

[Dave Neptune]

Hmmm

southcoasting, if it was running smooth and or fine I doubt it's the valves. I am going to guess fuel or a plugged up exhaust. If the engine will rev up smoothly in neutral and not in gear under load it's not getting enough fuel (try the choke) or the exhaust.
If the valves were amiss it would be hard to start and would not idle or run smooth. It will be something simple once found.
Fair winds back Tuesday, going to Catalina this mornin'

Dave Neptune

[thatch]

South, It sound's like your stuffing box may be a little too tight. Remember that reverse is actually a 2:1 ratio and forward is a 1:1 ratio, which could explain why she will go backward and not forward. I had the same problem in the past after repacking my stuffing box. You should be able to turn the shaft by hand with the engine stopped and the trans in a good neutral position.
Tom

[roadnsky]

I'm with Tom on the stuffing box being too tight.
I had a similar symptom/issue when I did my first re-pack.

But I don't discount the possibility of a buildup of exhaust blockage also exacerbating the issue as well.
The two together would certainly paint your scenario.

The good news is that both are quick and easy to check.

[Mo]

Do the compression check and know you have compression first...the thumb trick will not work, use a guage....been here before and it was valves stuck open...and of course there could be other causes. Compression and timing take a few minutes before having to "crawl" into the maybe's...and leave your thumb out of the compression testing

[southcoasting]

Well, let me first say that you guys are awesome! Always helpful and very fast at responses!

I actually went out to the boat yesterday morning with pressure gauge and ready with allen wrenches to free up valves...I had soaked them in MMO as soon as I got the boat 2 months ago but was ready to throw more in

Well, before I did any of that, I started looking at my engine again now that I had a clear head and looked at simple stuff

First thing I looked at was plug wires and noticed I had mixed up the 3 and 4!

I put them to their 4-3 order, fired up the engine...let it idle for 5 mins...It did somehow sound smoother...put it in reverse, and reverse felt much better...I thought, I think we have a fix!

Put it in forward, and forward as strong as ever! I went back and forth a few times tied to the mooring and no issues with bog downs and no back fires at all! YES!!!! I LOVE simple fixes!

I have had such a cloudy head for the past two months of working on Nova Luna everyday...It's amazing how effective a clear mind can be at resolving problems as opposed to one that is burned out

So Neil is the winner!

Yesterday was a great day...Installed my 60 watt solar panel and controller, and fixed my non-working bilge pump issue that I could not figure out after I found the line was just clogged up with bee's hives nests! Again, a clear head is very effective!

Now I just have to install sails and a few things here and there and I will be ready to go!

I did not get a chance to hank on sails or setup up my furling yet but here she is as she rests...Happy to be back in the water after a hiatus

[Mo]

I sailed one like her home a few years back with a friend. Good capable boat.

[ndutton]

So Neil is the winner!

No sir, YOU are the winner. Of particular note is you didn't fall into denial, "it COULDN'T be as simple as that. I put the wires on myself and they're correct." Then a month later it's "oopsie."

Well done.

[CalebD]

Yup, sometimes stepping back so you can see the forest from the trees is the best remedy.
I hope you have a great season with your new girl Freddie!

[Whippet]

sharpie

I know i would be prone to do the same thing in a rush. As my visual aide, I took out a sharpie and wrote the plug number on each wire hood. Has worked for me in the many times i have pulled plugs for various reasons.

Neil, impressive call from afar.

[Skywalker]

Great simple fix! Good for you.

Beautiful boat. I'm sure you will enjoy her.

Skywalker