Running Hard: RPM + Distance
Gold Member
03-09-2017, 10:38 PM
#206
Hardest Ive run my dead stock Merc. 260 in my 1984 Formula 242ls was about 15 min. WOT to a no wake zone, 2000 RPM for 10 minutes though the no wake then 20 min. WOT back to the ramp. This wouldn't normally be that impressive, but I knew It had a rotted water jacket in the right head that was dumping salt water into the exhaust port. When we went to leave the tie up I had to pull 3 spark plugs out to clear the water out of the cylinders. Got it fired up, cleared it out with a few wide open free revs and smashed it in gear. Made it all the way back no problem, but every 30 seconds in the no wake I'd have to clear it out as the water was fouling the plugs in the center to cylinders. Motor had 2 quarts of salt water in the oil when I checked it at the ramp. Still ran 43 MPH with two people and full of fuel.
03-10-2017, 02:22 PM
#209
Registered
I had an older boat, a 1987 SeaRay w/ twin 350s and alphas. I ran that harder than I do my cigarette. Couldn't blow it up, 1800 hours, WOT would do 52mph, jumping waves in a cabin cruiser, ahhhh those were the days.
