Baja 272 with 502 4000 rpm max - novice would appreciate help
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Baja 272 with 502 4000 rpm max - novice would appreciate help
Hi all, I hope the group would be kind enough to give me some guidance. Brief history, just got back a 95 Baja 272 I sold to a family member a couple of years ago. Very much on a do it your self budget. We've had this around 10 years.
Currently fitted with a 502 mpi with a very mild cam upgrade, (I believe). I don't think it's been used more than a handful of times in the last two years. When I ran it last the boat would rev to 4800+.
I don't believe any major work's been done in the interim. At least the last 10 years in fresh water on Lanier in GA.
To put it back into service I changed oil, filter, water separator, impeller and drive oil. I bought a set of plugs, but I can't fathom how to change them without taking off the stainless marine exhaust manifolds ! Prop is the same as always and is ding free.
I tried to drain the old fuel from the tank, but I believe there was at least 15 gallons of old left. I put in 30 gallons of ethanol free 90 octane. Hull is reasonable clean, (trailer stored).
The engine starts easily, idles smoothly, can't detect any missing. Possibly a ticking rocker, (lifter problem ?). Temps & pressure look good and hold steady.
Now it hit's a brick wall at 4000, regardless of trim. Could I be so lucky that it's just old fuel ?
At a bit of a loss where to start, any advice gratefully received. I can do most basic work, just can't afford to give it to a shop and ask them to 'fix' it.
Currently fitted with a 502 mpi with a very mild cam upgrade, (I believe). I don't think it's been used more than a handful of times in the last two years. When I ran it last the boat would rev to 4800+.
I don't believe any major work's been done in the interim. At least the last 10 years in fresh water on Lanier in GA.
To put it back into service I changed oil, filter, water separator, impeller and drive oil. I bought a set of plugs, but I can't fathom how to change them without taking off the stainless marine exhaust manifolds ! Prop is the same as always and is ding free.
I tried to drain the old fuel from the tank, but I believe there was at least 15 gallons of old left. I put in 30 gallons of ethanol free 90 octane. Hull is reasonable clean, (trailer stored).
The engine starts easily, idles smoothly, can't detect any missing. Possibly a ticking rocker, (lifter problem ?). Temps & pressure look good and hold steady.
Now it hit's a brick wall at 4000, regardless of trim. Could I be so lucky that it's just old fuel ?
At a bit of a loss where to start, any advice gratefully received. I can do most basic work, just can't afford to give it to a shop and ask them to 'fix' it.
Last edited by rsparso; 07-26-2014 at 02:52 PM.
#2
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Start with plugs, cap and rotor. The plugs should not be that difficult to change with the proper length extension.
I would also do a compression test when you have the plugs out.
How many hours on the engine???
I would also do a compression test when you have the plugs out.
How many hours on the engine???
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Ok, I'll try again, they seemed well blocked by the header, so I must be looking from the wrong perspective.
Not sure on hours, but I believe less than a thousand on a short block engine fitted in 04.
Not sure on hours, but I believe less than a thousand on a short block engine fitted in 04.
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Fair point, not sure if the hourmeter was reset at the engine swap.
One thing I think is pertinent to the question; it certainly ran less than 10 hours since it last pulled full revs. I suspect it's a failure / contamination somewhere, rather than a gradual decline due to overall wear.
One thing I think is pertinent to the question; it certainly ran less than 10 hours since it last pulled full revs. I suspect it's a failure / contamination somewhere, rather than a gradual decline due to overall wear.
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You may think it's the same prop / condition. But.....