311-SR1 spark plug change
 

Want to do a spark plug change on my 89 311-SR1. I did a couple on my 242 with twin small blocks and that was tight. This looks real tight. I haven't really gotten down and looked with mirrors, flashlights, etc., so I have not really scoped it out yet. But just glancing, looks like a bear. Anybody have any tricks on this? Thanks. Outlaw

It is tight between the motors, and you gotta pretty much do it blind. It's not hard to do though.

And you can remove the step plate in front of the motors if you need more access (then you can sit on the hull bottom in front of the motor).

You should try a 272 with BBs:crazy: You have it easy;)

Width-wise, the 272 and 311 are the same. But at least we 311 guys can get in front of the engines. Can't imagine maintenance in a 272 engine bay!!!!

I've got two seasons on the sparklers in my 311, I guess I'd better get in there in the spring. It's like an athletic event, you have to stretch before you go in. Helps to be double jointed too. And invariably, there will be a hose clamp end biting you or a bolt digging into your kidneys, a stuck plug boot or some other minor annoyance that turns into a huge annoyance because you're standing on your head and all of the blood is gone from your arm. Then,,,,,,,you drop your wrench:hothead:

Oh, the joys of boat ownership. If I wasn't so cheap, I'd pay someone to do it. I just can't stand paying someone to do something I can do,,,,,,,and I usually do it better myself anyway.

I'll just prime myself up for the job with about 5 beers, then I won't feel the bolt in my kidneys so much:D

Take off the sun deck and sit on the back swim platform. That is the way I did my dad's 272 with BB and my 311.

Well almost. I have Merlin blocks and heads , the problem is the exhaust ports are higher on the Merlin heads(making them even closer) , to a point that one more coat of paint on the hatch lift motor and it wouldn't fit:eek:
My attack plan is to lift the hatch and prop it up with something. Then lower the hatch motor out of the way and lay it back against the stern. Now kneeling on the back seat I can reach down under the exhaust manifolds and get the first three plugs. Then lay across the top of the engines and reach down the back to the last two plugs.
The outside ones are a piece of cake:cool:

And of course add another 20 to 30 minutes to retrieve drop plugs , sockets and ratchets:rolleyes: :D

"MO", in regard to the engines photo, VERY NICE...
Getting the hatch, hatch motor out of the way sounds like a solid idea. I'm the same way, I can't stand paying someone way too much money for a job I know I'll do better. I've built go fast cars, go fast motorcycles, am pretty mechanically inclined. What do you run for plugs? I'm thinking of going NGK's. Any thoughts?
Thanks guys for all the feedback. Looks like Sunday is "D-Day". Outlaw

Plus the fact you can get it done NOW not next Tuesday IF they show up when promised:rolleyes: You know how that goes:mad:
I run Autolite race plugs , they have a shorted ground electrode to unshroud the spark. Also have a plated base so they don't rust up on you:cool: I forget the numbers off hand , it's like 39somethingsomething( 4 digits). I can check in the AM but mine are 540's and Merlin heads. I believe it's the same design plug and Merc 454's(5/8 socket and tapered seat)

Mopower,
Thats' some nice freeking gomotion ya got there dude!!! From the looks of it, a little Vasoline on your forearms may help with the plug change-out:eek:

Just a tip for everyone,,,,,,a heavy-duty telescopic magnet makes life much easier in the engine bay:) It keeps shouting the "F-bomb" to a minimum:D

Gonna change my plugs in the spring when my interest level is at a feverish high. The "Bird" is hibernating right now.

"MO", yeah if you can get me those plug numbers I'd appreciate it. The plated based sounds like a winner. Again, thanks. Outlaw

FO,
Autolite AR133

Third bird,
Vasolines a good idea:D I usually finish with cuts and scrapes on my forearms.
When you drop stainless nuts or bolts
magnets aren't much use :(:(

Any suggestions on "gap"? Thanks again.....

FO,
.035 if my failing memory serves me correctly:confused: :D

I hear ya on the memory issue. I can tell you who I sat next to in second grade, but don't even think about asking me what I had for breakfast. .035 sounds pretty good to me. I would've guessed either .035/.040
Thanks....

Obviously your neighbor in second grade was more exciting then breakfast:D :D :D :D :D

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Her name was Kathy Pennel, most beautiful blond second grader in the history of the universe.

Had my 311 for 11 years and changed the plugs many times. What type of exhaust are you running? It's a lot easier with headers (i.e. CMI, etc.). It's easiest to leave the step in and sit on it with your legs in the bilge. You can reach everything from the front ... it helps to have an assortment of different length extensions and swivels and a shortie ratchet.

Dirty ole' man:drool: :D :D :D

And proud of it....

:D :D

yea..yea... try changing the starboard engine water pump impellor on a 272 some time, or through bolting them dang bennet tabs.

threw a wrench right through my budweiser racing banner in the pole barn......:rolleyes: then i was really mad

Ram,
Been there, done that:mad: .Last spring when I changed my engines I also switched to crank mounted Johnson waterpumps;) . Check out that little bronze thing sticking out of the center of the crank pully:cool:
Also added a gate valve on the incoming water line so I can change it in the water in 15 minutes.

Mo, boy that sure is a pretty motor, don't think I've ever seen one quite that color, but it does look nice. What horsepower you cranking out with those?

Ram, I've changed both starters on a 242, twin small blocks, back hurt for two weeks. On a 272 with big blocks it must really suck. And I'll bet those thru bolts on your tabs were fun. And remember what "mom" would say about throwing wrenches......

FO
They were dynoed last March right before this picture. Torque was about 700 ft lbs. Tach pickup was screwed up and hp is computed using the tq and rpms so hp was only a rough guess. They're out again and going back on the dyno again in the next few weeks.
The magenta on the intake matches some of my upholstery and is powdercoat , not paint. It's some tuff $hit. AND the polished aluminum valve covers are clear powdercoated and stay shiney;)

Mo, very very nice. What speed do you get out of the boat with those jewels in there? Am going to talk to Innovation Marine next week about playing with mine and see what suggestions they come up with. (as long as the wife doesn't find out). "honestly honey, I don't know why the boat seems faster".

FO,
Well......................The reason they're out is they still don't run right:mad:. Max was 77mph and they could idle 800 rpms all day...just don't put them in gear , they'd stall. Now set the idle in gear for 800 rpm and put them in neutral and they go to 1500:o .
The shop that did them , did three at the same time , my two 540's and a 454 ....all 3 have the same problem and all six heads were done by the same employee. Boss blames the valve job , we'll find out soon.
The good news is that even at 77 mph my 272 behaved very civilized:cool:.
From all calulations I SHOULD be in the mid 80's. Maybe next year;) .

Same problem on all three, that is kind of bizarre. Keep us posted. You might be in the upper 80's if it's running right. What are you running for props?

Last season I had 28" Bravo 1s at 46/4700 rpms
Should be 30's and in the low 5000s.
The guy who did the heads has messed up on BBCs before , and the boss knows it. He wasn't real happy when he heard the other engine has the same problem.
Because of the lousy weather we had here last spring I didn't realize I had a problem till mid June and I wasn't about to give up valuable water time then. So he said if I could live with it he'd do it in the fall :)
Upper 80s could really be possible but so as not to be dissappointed I'm aiming for the mid 80s.
Got a single 540 from the same guy for my last boat 21' Liberator and that one was a BEAST:eek:

Just for the heck of it, give the guys at Hydromotive a call and tell them your application and see what they way. Made an unbelievable difference in my 311.