Average Top Speed for 2003 SANTE?

[funkster]

You said you changed the plug wires, correct? Why not simply change out the new wire in question with the old one and water test to see if that is the problem? Just an FYI, I would always use OEM parts from a nautique shop or online source like Nautique parts. Going to a local car shop is not recommended as marine parts are different from car parts. I don’t know if you’re doing this but it can lead to problems when tuning up your motor. Did you gap your plugs? I believe, they should be at .045.


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[Rockymtnsurfer]

I was just thinking the same thing....even saved them all in just in case. All naut parts original or from Naut parts.......did not gap plugs....not sure what that is....I will google it. Thanks Funkster

[Beach-TJ]

Didn't see which motor you have, GM or Ford, but check the manual for the correct spark plug gap. I believe the GM' s are .06 or .065

[homer12]

Rockymtnsurfer, I would definitely confirm plugs gapped right, and wires all good still. However, the question about your prop, shaft, and bearing hasn't been fully addressed yet. Judging by your pic, it looks as though some line/rope has gotten wrapped around that shaft at some point. What you are calling the sleeve is I believe the bearing. It is called the bearing but does not have what you might think of as a "typical" bearing with metal balls or pins. It is only a piece of thermo plastic that as someone else mentioned has grooves in it for water passage to keep it cool when the shaft spins in it. The bearing SHOULD NOT be turning inside the brass strut. If that's the case, you need to stop running until you get that fixed or you may be wearing the metal on either the strut or shaft and in for more expensive parts. Get a new bearing (Nautique Parts), pull the prop, pull the shaft and replace. This could be a little over your head, but there's plenty of info on how to do this. I hope this helps.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Just got back into town.....saw your post HOMER.....THANK YOU! Looking into parts this am.....sort of wondering if I should pull this apart first.

Someone was saying something about a prop tool to take off the prop? thoughts

Thanks again...I hope I didn't trash more than I want to. Funny how the old owner said this was no big deal typical rt
D

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Also...still trying to find the gap number for this chevy pcm 330 5.7l....not in the manual or I couldn't find it yet

[homer12]

You need a prop puller no question about that.
https://www.nautiqueparts.com/product/prop-puller-acme/
Here’s the strut bearing.
https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...ameter-shafts/
Don’t order straight from my links. Confirm your shaft size. These are examples


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[Rockymtnsurfer]

Thanks a ton...took some pics today and am going to try to start to match up. Thanks again.........any thoughts as to where else I can get the gap number?

[Rockymtnsurfer]

found gap.....

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Whats your thoughts Homer......pics explain what I found today. I also see the bearing now from the rear view and it does NOT spin. Now that this piece I see is broken off, the rest of the bearing is not spinning either from the front view. obvious replace I believe........Do I just need the prop tool and the bearing? Housing seems fine and no angle wear. Maybe I should have PM you...sorry. D

[core-rider]

I don't believe you need to do anything to the strut bearing... That looks like a piece of nylon rope that got stuck around the shaft and has possibly been that for awhile now. It's hard to tell from just pictures, but if your strut bearing is not spinning and there is no abnormal play between it and the shaft then I would call it good. I believe you're over-thinking some of this stuff and it sounds like you aren't the most mechanically inclined (no offense meant) so you worry about things that don't really need so much attention.

Now check you plug gaps, read the plugs for signs of a cylinder having trouble, test plug wires either by replacing with old or new, make sure you have spark at every plug. Your low power issue is most likely something small, but causes a big issue.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Thanks Core.......total rookie with this kind of boat...you called it. Also...have a tight budget and live in no where close to a mechanic, so I'm trying to do it all myself. I can't tell you enough how much this has helped out. EVERYTHING is totally new to me! Thanks for your patience. D have tool for gap check...going to do that next. Thanks again D

[Rockymtnsurfer]

I thought that piece might have been the top cap of the bearing and now broken off......

[ag4ever]

I think you have gotten a lot of good advice here. For top speed, I get about 43 - 45 MPH with the stock team prop (644), but with added cup.

On changing pitch, it can be done by a good shop. I use Baumann, and they work on all kinds of props, from outboards, to inboards, to large ocean liners. http://baumannprops.com/repairs/ Changing pitch is one of the services they perform. Every time they repaired my prop it ran like silk (until I would do something bone headed like run over a submerged dock, or beach the boat in too shallow water). The first time they fixed it I had them add some cup as I would bounce the rev limiter at top speed. After adding the extra cup it gave me a couple extra MPH and more importantly it dropped the RPM down about 500 at full throttle. I would think a properly running 330EX with a 14” prop at altitude should still do mid 30s. Even with ballast and a few people in the boat.

I would check the FCC for water or see if you have stale gas.

I ran mine last weekend with a mix of 75% 7 year old E10 gas and 25% fresh non-ethanol gas. I could tell it was running rough at idle, but it still had good power and was able to do 44 MPH in rough water with full tanks and me, my wife and son in the boat. I don’t recall if I used stabil when I mothballed it, but I usually do at the end of the warm season.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Did gapping on plugs yesterday....all the plug were off .060............not sure if thats normal, but I am going to try and swing the boat to the lake today and seem what kind of improvement it did.