John Johnson sent in these gorgeous photos of his 1978 Cobalt 19BR, with this story:
The previous owner was an exec. from Busch Beer and had it customized to match the “Head for the Mountains” theme…
It is in excellent condition from every angle you look. There is one thing I need help with…
I just took it out for the first time last night. We ran it for an hour and a half or so playing around and everything worked perfectly.
When returning to the dock to retrieve it onto trailer, it started dying at an idle while putting it back into gear. Where we put in is busy sometimes and we have to wait to pull up to the ramp. I ran the bilge blower the entire time. In nuetral it ran fine. As soon as I put it in gear, forward or reverse, it would die every time. In nuetral, it throttled up fine but again, as soon as it was put in gear, it would die as it engaged into gear.
Anyone have any ideas on what could be wrong with it, please email me.
Thanks in advance for any help!!!
Like your boat and hope you get a good answer as my ’78 19CD with the Merc 228 (Chev 305) does exactly the same thing. I thought it was the fuel filter, which I changed, it seemed good for a couple hours then went back to the same deal.
James
I think James comment about the fuel filter is the place to start. You may have to change it several times if the boat has not seen regular use in the last year. The other thing I would try is using spray carb cleaner while it’s running to clean the carb good. Last resort take it to a mechanic that you know is highly thought of.
The issue could also be the transmission cabling and drive engagement system needs adjusting.
If those are Mercruisers, I know from experience about this issue. My understanding of the system is that when the drive system is engaged, in order to provide as smooth a shift as possible, when operating correctly, the engine is actually “killed” for just a second as the drive is engaged. Adjustment is needed in the duration and timing of the drive engagement system.
According to my mechanic who described the similar issue I was having, there is only so much adjustment that is available before the cable needs to be replaced and in addition, if the cable is at the limit of adjustment, it is because the parts it engages are also beginning to wear and you’ll just chase a problem if all of the worn parts that engage the drive are not addressed. It wasn’t insane expensive and once fixed, it shifted like new.
One other thing…..if you let it continue, eventually, it will no longer engage the drive system in forward or reverse but the engine will continue to run just fine.
My particular setup was a Mercruiser Alpha on an ’81 Formula 233LS.
If you’re really crazy about you late ’70s cobalt like I am consider a conversion of your points & Condenser to a modern electronic ignition system. Parts are around $300 purchased over the internet.
Double e, your explanation sounds entirely plausable and worth a long look.
Greg, your recommendation has already been looked into, and is high on the ‘todo’ list… after I finish replacing the floor, and reinstalling the starter, and replacing the bellows… ya, I think that’s all, for now:)
James
Tried to post this elsewhere on the site but it hasn’t shown up, so I’ll try piggybacking on this post.
I bought this ’78CD/Merc 228 last June. It is/was in pretty good shape except for a few soft spots in the floor. Yanked it up this fall, a little more than I counted on, but I think I can get it back together in time for the summer fun. A few pics;
[IMG]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc1/jamsac/Coabalt001-3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc1/jamsac/Coabalt003.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc1/jamsac/moms2ndride041-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc1/jamsac/fixingtheboatfloor2001Small.jpg[/IMG]
Is this boat at the Lake of the Ozarks? If so, I saw it at Sleepy Bills Marina last year. Great classic Cobalt!
Double e is right on the money.
I have a 1978 colbalt with the merc engine. Where the throttle cable and shift cable meet at the back of the engine there is a simple switch with a roller. You will see a plate move forward and back momentalrly when shifting into forward or reverse. This closes the switch, basically shorting the ignition line to ground momentarly.
I had the exact same problem with my boat. It would run great until I went to put it in gear. When I went to put in in gear, the boat would die. The cables in the boat were the origional 1978 cables, and had become streched and frayed over the years. Replacement of the cable and proper adjustment fixed the problem, and now it shifts like new.
If you can push the gear over ride button on the throttle, and the engine revs without any problem, it is not a fuel problem.