Electronic egnition conversion kit & carb question.

[Nauty176]

I have two questions.....

First, I am considering converting to electronic ignition for my 1996 Ski Nautique 176. It has a PCM Ford 351. Does anyone know which kit would work best? If you can supply a brand and model number that would be great.

Next question (unrelated to the first)......

When starting my boat (the one mentioned above) for the first time, when launching, it starts fine. It usually starts up on the first turn of the key. However, after it the engine is warm it takes two or three times before it will start. I usually turn the engine off when changing riders. Therefore, it's a pain to start the boat again for the next set.

A friend of mine had this suggestion...... He said it sounded to him like the choke was open when the engine is cold, thus starting on the first try. After the engine warms the choke is not opening up enough, thus making it hard to start. Does this sound like it could be the problem?

If so, the carb is an area that I don't have much experience with. Can anyone tell me how to go about adjusting the choke?

Thanks,

Richard

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

if the choke is open when cold its open when warm. the choke is supposed to be closed when cold and open as it warms up. is the boat running rich and flooding? in '96 your boat also came with electronic ignition. unless someone swapped it back to old school (points). which that wouldnt make to much sence why they would do that. adjust carb, check the timing and swap the plugs out if there fouled. you may need a carb rebuild. i have a trick up my sleeve but i cant type well enough to explain it so call me monday jason 903-882-8593.

[nms1991]

SWCC-PART-MAN is right the boat should be set up with the Breakerless Ignitiion system, so there should be no conversion needed. Do you need to pump the throttle to get the boat started when warm? If you do then you need to adjust the idle mixture a little richer to aid in startup. The funtion of the choke is to be closed when the engine is cold and richen the fuel mixture until it is warmed up and it should stay open when the engine is hot. Another thing to check is if the carb is flooding out when warm, the carb could be dripping fuel after shut down down the throat of the carb(possible rebuilding of the carb to solve the problem).

[Nauty176]

Yeah, I'm a moron.... my ignition is definitely electronic. A friend suggested that I switch to electronic to solve my starting problem. I just assumed that it had points until I checked it this evening and saw the two wires coming out of the distributer.

As for the choke question....same friend who suggested it was already open at start up when cold. I think I will go with your advice. You guys sound a little more knowledgeable. No, I do not have to give it any gas to get it started. It's a matter of just turning the key 2 or 3 times. Then it starts without any other assistance.

I may be better off having someone knowledgable look at it in person. On my first boat the only time I ever tried to mess with the timing and mixture I ended up making it worse. Perhaps a rebuild would be best? In the mean time I plan on tuning it up with new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. Maybe this will make a difference?

[Laptom]

You can see the working of the choke on the outside of the carb. Or remove the airfilter on top and you can see the choke valve.
Check the valve when the engine is cold (should be closed like others said). When the engine gets warmer it should go open (and open fully (turning 90 degrees)). When all this happens. Shut down your engine, wait a minute and start the engine again with looking at the choke valve. The valve should be full open again. It's a simple check when your out the next time. I don't think this is the problem, but it's good to check. Don't do the timing when your not sure about it. Bring it to the dealer! Good luck with it!