Engine checklist

[srokag44]

I am having a mechanic come to give my engines a run-through tomorrow morning. I have had the boat for a little over a year and both engines start and run fairly well but I would like to have someone knowledgeable give them a thorough inspection. The engines are raw water cooled 454 crusaders and I believe they are the original blocks. The risers were replaced sometime in the past 3 or 4 years. Engine hour meter is around 650 hours. The only components that I completely know the condition of is the port starter (had it completely rebuilt) and both raw water pumps (I rebuilt both.)

The port engine runs around 150 degrees up to about 1500 rpm but will climb to around 180 degrees when I am up on plane around 2800 rpm. The starboard engine runs consistently around 150 degrees but the oil pressure seems to drop off when running at higher rpms. All these numbers are from the gauges at the helm, not sure how much I trust them. Both engines seem to make a fair amount of steam at higher rpms.

Can anyone here give me a list of things I should be sure to have the mechanic look at? Any recommendation on what things should be addressed first? Any general advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Big D]

Here are a few things I like to check. I'm sure I missed a few hundred! How much do you want to pay this guy??$$
- Check timing; base and advance per curve specs
- Check idle RPM in gear
- Compression test
- Check condition of plugs
- Vacuum test readings
- Listen/test for vacuum leaks
- Check fuel pump diaphragm failure tube to carb
- Check fuel pressure and vacuum
- Check carb settings and cleanliness
- Carb fuel filter if applicable
- Check choke operation
- Full travel at carb when throttle levers at helm are at WOT position
- Ignition components
- Belts
- Wiring; grounds, harness contacts, restraint hardware
- Engine mounts
- Check for oil leaks
- Check for fuel leaks
- Check for exhaust leaks
- Determine if smoke is oil burn or steam and assess
- Use mechanical test gages to verify readings at helm; temps, oil pressure
- Use IR temp gun to check manifold temps/hot spots
- Remove exhaust hoses at elbows and check water ports
- Drain manifolds and blocks to check for standing metal/rust
- Check coolant if applicable
- Condition of all hoses
- Check fuel line rating/condition
- Check fuel filters for water and tank debris
- Check anodes where applicable
- Check oil level and condition. Send out oil sample for analysis – great tool
- Check tranny fluid
- Check for tranny creep in neutral
- Shift cable adjustment; gear lever at tranny all the way into forward, reverse?
- Shaft log drip frequency
- Does shaft log wobble in gear?
- Listen for abnormal sounds while running
- Battery condition and meets rating requirements
- Alternator output
- Seacock operation
- Check engine circ pump and raw water pump for leaks
- Check flame arrester
- Check all hose clamps; all stainless and double clamps where required
- Electrical and fuel delivery system meets ABYC standards
- Record serial numbers
- Check that warning system works
- ........

[srokag44]

That is one hell of a good reply! Thanks much!