1986 Ski Nautique 351 Windsor commander motor

[fosterz]

I just bought this boat 2 days ago its my first boat I've ever owned I'm getting very faint spark just need some ideas of where to start. It is a 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 it has the 351 Windsor commander motor.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[fosterz]

Here is some more info I have drained all the gas in the tank have not pulled the carb New spark plugs new spark plug wires the ignition coil looks brand new but don't know the distributed does not have points in it it has a silver plate with a little black box on it about an inch by 1/2 inch with 1 red and 1 black wire that goes to the ignition coil. Have changed oil and trans oil.

[Mamigacz]

It sounds like you have a pertronix (or something simular) breakerless ignition kit. I'm curious what coil you have?

-Some coils require 12v
-Some coils require reduced voltage (I think 9V). These will have a balast resister (or resistance wire) before the hot wire to the coil to knock down the voltage.

The problem is some people change the coil to a coil that requires 12v. They forget to by pass the ballast resistor to get 12v to the coil.

-Start out by measuring the voltage at the hot wire going to the coil.
-Check to see if a balast resistor is being used. See the attached picture. Its the white block with wire terminals.
-Check the condition of the terminals on the distributor cap and rotor.

Will the engine start?

[fosterz]

Yes you're right it is a pertronix the coil it says 12 volt on it and is going through a ballast resister

[core-rider]

Bypass the ballast resistor and see if that doesn't fix it. I had a similar problem on my 1984 SN 2001 when I upgraded to the Petronix ignition.

[fosterz]

Thank you I will try that when I get home from work

[core-rider]

That's what we are here for. Welcome to boat ownership and the forums!

[fosterz]

One more question I would like to get answered the previous owner had all the wires of the distributor I do have the original owners manual for the commander motor the firing order they give me is set counter clockwise and my rotor turn turns clockwise

[fosterz]

we are so excited to try to get this boat running I have a7 year old autistic son loves the lake we go every weekendI will put pics up boat already has wakeboard tower I can't wait I picked this boat up 4 $1800

[Mamigacz]

A standard rotation 351W is counter clockwise. I think most nautiques in 1986 had non-standard rotation engines. What you are saying about the rotation of the rotor makes sense.
The firing order should be: 1-8-4-5-6-2-7-3

[core-rider]

I can't find a manual for 1986, but the manual for 1989 shows 2 different firing orders depending on what model number engine you have. If you look at the engine there should be an identification tag on the back of the intake manifold. It should give you the model number of the engine which will help figure out the firing order. According to the 1989 manual, there are 2 models... PLD and PRD.

PLD firing order - 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
PRD firing order - 1-8-4-5-6-2-7-3

[Mamigacz]

A standard rotation 351W is counter clockwise. I think most nautiques in 1986 had non-standard rotation engines. What you are saying about the rotation of the rotor makes sense.
The firing order should be: 1-8-4-5-6-2-7-3

Ignore that thumbnail I attached. It seems to add confusion to my statement.

[fosterz]

Ok I bypassed the ballaster I'm getting spark to the spark plugs now but I'm a little confused on the firing order starting at #1 do I go clockwise like the rotor or counter clockwise 18456273

[fosterz]

Now fuel question not getting any up to carb . And does the ignition blower in back at fuel tank have tobe on to start

[TRBenj]

What you are saying about the rotation of the rotor makes sense.

Incorrect.

If your rotor is in fact spinning clockwise as you crank the engine, then I am quite certain it will not run. You have the incorrect rotation starter installed and you are spinning the engine backwards. All Ford Windsors have rotors that spin counterclockwise regardless of engine rotation. It is not uncommon for uneducated previous owners to install automotive or LH marine starters on RH engines... Ive seen it many times.

The original engine would have been reverse (RH) rotation. FO = 18456273 Assuming that no one swapped it out for a LH engine, then you need a marine starter that spins CCW.

You will get much better information on CorrectCraftFan.com.