RDE 16 lack of power

[JEFFREY H. WACO]

I have two RDE 16’s on a 16’ 1955 Chris Craft express cruiser kit boat.  I had both engines converted to fuel pumps and they worked really well. I have a lack of power when putting the throttles forward.  Both engines do not rev up.  They both start perfectly, seem to be getting enough fuel.  Compression is the same for all four cylinders.  75 lbs. on each cylinder.  I am at a total loss.  Rebuilt carburetors, new plugs, set points etc.  is there anyone out there that can give me an idea?

[David Bartlett]

Jeffrey,

I think 75PSI is a bit on the low side for good performance. The other thing that comes to mind is the carb/ignition synchronization. Do you have that setup correctly?

David Bartlett
Pine Tree Boating Club Chapter

"I don't fully understand everything I know!"

[crosbyman]

cables not set properly maybe ?  does throttle open to max  when set to fast  ?

 

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[jeff-register]

Same props?

[frankr]

Most common cause for lack of power is not running on both cylinders.  Are you sure the ignition is ok?

[stanley]

Won’t rev in neutral or in forward gear on boat?

[JEFFREY H. WACO]

Thank you for your replies. I thought that the compression might be a little low, but both engines have exactly the same.  I have never thought about the carb and ignition I might go to that next when it warms up around here.

[JEFFREY H. WACO]

Revs in neutral but not forward gear.

[JEFFREY H. WACO]

Engines sounded really good at just a fast idle.  Smooth.  In gear it would only rev up a little. Then one engine sounded like it was going to cut out. Then it would rev up a bit on its own then slow down again. These engines go with the boat.  They were purchased new when the boat was being built. I am the second owner. I have been boating all my life and this was my dreamboat when I was 10 yrs old.  Love the boat and engines.

[frankr]

ALL 1955 Johnson motors have bad coils unless they have already been replaced. Hard to believe it even runs if the original coils are still in there. But you said you checked the points. Surely you would have noticed cracked coils

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