1998 Ski Nautique

[NautiqueJeff]

Mounted the windshield today.





Took another test ride this evening with the lights on. I'm getting braver and braver, going farther and farther away from the dock.

[SilentSeven]

...I'm getting braver and braver, going farther and farther away from the dock.

Funny to hear you say this.....but I totally understand the angst of building trust with an intermittent machine.

[Scooter G]

Old one eye got new glasses, haha.
Looks really good!

[NautiqueJeff]

Well, I have been driving it around, and it seems to be running OK, not great, but OK.

It doesn't want to idle properly. I get it all adjusted to idle properly, and then I drive it around, and it won't idle again. Sometimes it just stalls when I pull it back to neutral. Other times, it idles at like 1,500 RPM. I have played with the carb adjustments, but every time I get it to idle OK, after driving it, it either idles too high or way too low.

I know the needle and seat are leaking internally (see video), and I am sure there are other issues with this carb.

I think I am just going to replace it with a new Quick Fuel M-600 and a new fuel supply line from the pump.

Then I will send this 4160 out to be rebuilt, and have a good carb that's ready to go the next time I buy a boat with a carb that is acting up.

Here's a crappy video of how badly it is leaking. This is after turning the engine off and letting it sit for about 20 seconds. Both boosters are leaking, but one stopped before I started recording. This carb is definitely ready for a rebuild.

[NautiqueJeff]

New carb finally arrived! Can't wait to get this installed. Hopefully this will solve all of the remaining issues, and I'll just be able to use the boat without concerns now.

I'll try to get this installed this afternoon.

Went with the Quick Fuel M-600 and the Sierra 18-8115 fuel supply line.

[Scooter G]

Why do we get excited about new automotive parts? Especially a black diamond marine carb. Just the looks of it = B.A.

[NautiqueJeff]

Put it on this afternoon, and it seems to be running great now. Much better than before, just with the simple test I did at my dock. I didn't take it out because I wanted to get it all adjusted perfectly, and I ended up tearing a gasket on one of the float adjusters!!!!

I got the primary bowl all adjusted perfectly, but the secondary bowl seems very touchy, and I had to adjust the float so many times that the gasket disintegrated! Worst thing is that I probably didn't even really have to adjust them. I just wanted the fuel level exactly in the center of the sight glasses.

Now I need to get a new gasket for the adjuster (since it is leaking now).

Sure starts and idles nicely now though, and it revs up very nicely.

[NautiqueJeff]

I have everything dialed in (I think). Float levels are set so that the level is centered in the sight glass on both bowls, idle mixture screws are set to the highest vacuum achievable, idle is set at 675 in gear. Accelerator pump is adjusted so that the arm is just touching the screw with the spring at idle.

Engine starts and idles great, and has tons of power compared to the old 4160 that was on it. I love this carb, except for one thing.

Upon medium to hard acceleration from idle, it bogs badly. Almost always to the point that it will stall. If you ease into the throttle, it runs great.

ALSO, if you're running down the lake and accelerate into the secondaries, it bogs there too. Not as bad, but definitely noticeable. Half a second later it takes off like a rocket ship though.

I have checked and rechecked the accelerator pump adjustment.

I pulled the accelerator pump nozzle and found that it was a 35. Out of curiosity, I pulled the one in the old 4160, and it was a 25. Wondering if there is a chance that the new carb is getting too much fuel with the 35 in there.

[Rednucleus]

I would have guessed by your description that it was running too lean on acceleration.

[NautiqueJeff]

Yeah, that is definitely what it is acting like. I just can't figure out why. Evidently switching to the 25 nozzle will deliver the same amount of fuel over a longer time. Maybe that will help.

[Scooter G]

If everything else is in adjustment then a roll on bog or stall at hammer time is usually a rich condition. Choking the dog with too much water down it's throat. Looks like an easy fix, you got this...

[Scooter G]

I thought this was interesting:
https://www.facebook.com/HolleyPerfo...6252343783711/

[NautiqueJeff]

I have moved this boat over to Silver Cove Marine, and we have been working on it there.

We got the gelcoat completely refreshed, and it is looking good.

[NautiqueJeff]

Brought it inside, and knocked out the pinstripes and the graphics.
Put the windshield back on as well.
You can follow along on the Silver Cove Marine page for more updates:
https://www.silvercovemarine.com/pos...black---zephyr

[NautiqueJeff]

Follow along here for day-to-day updates: https://www.silvercovemarine.com/pos...black---zephyr

This boat got new rear decals today, so the exterior is pretty much complete.

A new fuel/water separator filter and a new horn button showed up today. Also, although not pictured, new fuel line for this boat arrived today too. We'll be replacing the old fuel lines, along with these parts, tomorrow.