95 260 merc??-several questions

[1fastboat]

I have always had stock merc. motors on all my bassboats but Im buying a 98 20xdc Bullet with a 95 260 merc.The motor has appx. 80 to 120 hrs on it and a new ecu.It's running 88 mph(gps) with 2 fat boys 1/2 tank of fuel and fishing tackle. How much water pressure does a 260 need?Has the stock lower unit with a bob's low water p/u cone on it. It has 8 #'s at WOT,10 #'s at 5000 r's easing along-gauge could be off-it shows 0 at idle but has a strong pee stream out both tubes. What are the 260's #'s supposed to be for--leakdown? timing? compression? fuel pressure? Appx. how many hrs. on a 260 motor before a ring job is required? I'm going to have a high performance dealer look at my motor, just to check it out, after I buy the boat, and would like to know my numbers on a 260 if he trys to BS me and take my money for nothing! Don't you just love us Bassfishing guys that go buy a damn hot rod motor for fishing?!!:D

[us1]

0 at idle is normal but make sure the head tube is always pumping water. 10 lbs. at 5000 is fine but 8 lbs. at WOT is bad. You need 15-lbs. minimum. The fact that the pressure is lower at higher RPM means your motor is too high and or trimmed out to far. Leak down 10%, timing .150 BTDC or 25 degrees, compression 130 lbs., fuel pressure 39 lbs. unless EFI box has been changed to drag then 56 lbs., I would rering at 150 hours. Hey you bass guys with the big motors are some of the most fearless aggressive lake racers we have out here, I have had more fun racing bass boats.

[1fastboat]

The prop shaft is usually ran 1" to 1 1/2" over pad on Bullet hulls.The prop shaft on this one is only 1/4 inch over.I would say I overtrimed it.I probably need to go up another inch with my motor and not trim up as much, but then my prop blows out.Damn another problem! Mayby a hydrofoil on the motor would help? Thanks us1

[us1]

Work with your setup and props to run less trim. Some nosecones don’t have the greatest water in lets and inlet angle. Often you can change this with a porting tool if you are careful.

[MERCMAN]

SOME OF THE EFIS WOULD RUN PRESSURE AS LOW AS 7 LBS AT WOT. BUT SINCE YOUR LOSING PRESSURE AFTER 5000 I WOULD SAY YOUR MOTOR IS TOO HIGH AS WELL , A LITTLE OVER TRIMMING SHOULDNT EFFECT IT THAT MUCH UNLESS THE MOTOR HEIGTH IS ALREADY BORDERLINE! JOHN , YOUR PART IS ON THE WAY!

[us1]

Thanks

[WILDMAN]

Pressure on my Liberator dropped to 0 over 100, but when I lowered it 1/2 inch, I lost 6 mph. I used a stainless marine transom water pickup, only 1/8 inch in the water to feed both motors, and now it runs 25 lbs at 100, bot 8-10 over 115. The motors still run at 129-125 degrees, so it seems to work fine. I've got an extra water pickup, still in the bag if anyone needs one. see-ya WILDMAN

[steve]

Put 2 more inches of setback on it and leave the motor height alone. You have a relatively heavy bass boat and a heavy load. You should break 90mph and have more water pressure. You may even need to go to 3 or 4". Thta should cure your problem . STeve