I lake tested the 2.4 today. I have good and bad news.

[Arizona Hotboater]

This is an excerpt from an e-mail I just sent.

OK, All new ignition woke the motor up to its previous "punch". Both Scott (Ducky) and myself noticed the power increase but the water was so rough I had to shut it down around 70mph. (25 mph winds and 5000 PWC's.) It easily got up to 7000 rpm with a 22 chopper as opposed to last weeks testing. Last week I had to try very hard to get it to 69-7000. The 26 Yamaha drag performed well also. I need to get it to calmer water to test top end but I think its fixed.

Now the bad part. Even though there is a noticeable power increase, THE DAMN PLUGS STILL WONT COLOR! I have had it. I give up. The piston tops are brown and the boat runs great. Thats good enough. I'm thru trying to figure out why the plugs wont color. They look exactly the same this time. 2, 4, 5, & 6, are white, 3 has a whisp of color. Only # 1 has reasonable coloration.

AZH

[Delta]

The picture shows 1, 3, & 5. 1 is the darkest, 5 is the
lightest. All are too light.

http://y42.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/marklinn_2000/vwp?.dir=/My+Photos&.dnm=plugs520.jpg&.done=http%3a//my.yahoo.com/p/d.html%3fv
I couldn't get the pic up.This is the URL.

[Arizona Hotboater]

Yes, My URL is similar and will post to S&F. The photo shows up for me when I read the post. Apparently no one else can view it. Must be a cookie thing thru my computor. Hmmmm
AZH.

[Edited by Arizona Hotboater on 05-25-2001 at 02:36 AM]

[Arizona Hotboater]

http://y42.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/marklinn_2000/vwp?.dir=/My+Photos&.dnm=plugs520.jpg&.done=http%3a//my.yahoo.com/p/d.html%3fv
OK, I took the shortcut, put [img.] before, and [/img.]after the url and it come out as an "x" on the post. I clicked on the url you posted and the photo shows up. Hmmmm I need to take some classes at MIT.
AZH

[Edited by Arizona Hotboater on 05-21-2001 at 05:01 PM]

Run the snot out of it, forget the color. Looks good to me. When it blows, buy the new 225 Promax SS from DaveBB on the scaryfast board for $9500, then you'll really wake up that Valero!

[Edited by JW on 05-21-2001 at 07:26 PM]

[MadMat]

I just replied to the latest post about different plug temperatures and thought maybe I know why your plugs won't colour , wondered if it is possilbe your plugs are running a bit hot and maybe a grade or 2 cooler would give you more colour. (And potentially reduce the risk of detonation)

These URL's might be useful:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/techtips.asp
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/overview.asp

Just a though, I may be way off.

[Arizona Hotboater]

Madmat,
I appreciate the input and I considered something along those lines, but the same plugs colored before. Thats what throws me on this. I know its not ignition, since I replaced everything. I must have missed something somewhere. Pretty wierd.
AZH

[Edited by Arizona Hotboater on 05-24-2001 at 11:53 AM]

[daytona]

Hi AZ Forget about reading plugs on merc v6 2 strokes because it just doesnt give a reliable signal. Brown pistons and it runs good is about the best info you can get from that motor without pyros. Ill bet you are an old chev small block mech where the plugs would give good info. Soon to live in lake havasu city. Where are you. rick

[Arizona Hotboater]

I am a 4 stroke plug reader. Built many v-8s of different types. What gets me is the plugs colored before.

I live in beautiful N.E Phoenix. 3 hrs from havasu.
thanks,
Marc AZH

[daytona]

Hi azh we will soon meet down there somwhere. I am coming from Seattle area and have 50 yrs of rain. Plugs will color but so slowly the damage is already done. Look elsewhere for clues to determine engine fuel mix or temp. looking forward to meeting you. rick

[Arizona Hotboater]

Rick,
Send me an e-mail when you get down this way. Propster is from your area and will be in Havasu toward the end of June. A bunch of us are getting together. I am anxious to find out how the altitude change will effect my performance and plug color. Its about 1700' here and 500' in havasu. Everyone locally says there is a 7-10 mph difference between here and havasu.

Look forward to meeting you also.
Marc AZH