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| PALMER IH264 (Cooling & Performance q... |
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John Powers
New member
Username: jcp200hotmailcom
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2019
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2019 - 11:12 am: | 
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I have a 1960 24'Crosby Striper with a Palmer IH264 engine. Engine is raw water cooled (salt water).
It has a Zenith updraft carb. and a Mallory YD 77A distributor.
I have owned the boat since 1988 and it has been an on & off restoration process. Finally finished and launched in September. The boat was just hauled last Sunday for the winter.
I have some engine question, hoping someone can help out with:
COOLING:
1. Engine temp is running at approx. 110, what should normal temp. be?
This engine does not have a thermostat, and does not have a valve to adjust water flow.
2. Getting "steam" out of exhaust. Flow from the water pump and the hose that ENTERS the exhaust manifold is the same and seems adequate as the block is not overheating. I suspect blockage in the water jackets of the exhaust manifold and plan to remove the manifold and check for "scale".
COMMENTS??
ENGINE OPERATION
1. The engine was running quite rough when initially started. Have adjusted the carb. & timing and we now have it running pretty good.
We found that the distributor had a "wobble" and switched it out with a spare from another engine.
The engine runs up to speed pretty good but backfires as the throttle advances.
Suggestions??
2. The engine idles OK but stalls when put into gear. I need to advance the throttle more that I'd like for slow speed maneuvering. Suggestions?
Finally: Can anyone recommend someone who could re-build the distributor?
Thank you all in advance!! |
David Grosse
Senior Member
Username: davidg
Post Number: 104
Registered: 11-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - 08:11 pm: |
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Hello John,
Thanks for writing directly to alert me to your post here. It might have been a while till I read it otherwise.
First, let me share that my expertise is in the Palmer 60 engines, and I have a basic knowledge of marine engines in general. And, your Palmer 264 is a rare engine, as I am sure you have found out.
That said, let's talk about cooling. An engine from this vintage likely wants to run at about 140 degrees. Since you appear to be a cold country boater, you should plan a thermostat system to operate it at about 140.
Also, you don't get steam till water gets up to more like 180 degrees, so your engine temperature is not being measured at the hot spot in the system. It is awkward, but enthusiasts measure water temperature where it is discharged from the engine, on its way to the exhaust piping. If you are getting steam out the exhaust, you are likely depositing salt in you engine or exhaust system ~~ not good!
My experience with manifolds is that they do plug up. The worst plugs are near the discharge, and may be visible if you take off the connections that meet the manifold (nipples, ells, barbs, etc.) Do you know if your manifold is the same as the IH Black Diamond 264? Palmer did lots of funny things with the P60 series, like run the engine power out the other end (turned the block backwards). If not, be very careful with yours. It may be a one of a kind.
As for engine operation, you should be able to find a distributor repair place by checking with local speed shops. Boat distributors are quite similar to their landside equivalents.
Engine stumble or fail can be caused by a too thin fuel mixture, over advanced timing, or sometimes even the transmission. Backfires are usually caused by fuel shortage, but can also be caused by distributor issues related to vacuum advance operation. Your advance should just be mechanical, since boats don't get to just roll along like autos.
Your boat should not stall when you put it in gear. Could be a plugged idle jet in the carb, bad fuel or fuel filter, or even tranny.
Can you send me some pictures of your engine? I could not find any good ones on the net.
I hope this helps. Feel free to call if you need to discuss any of it. 949+933+9613 SoCal time
David |
John Powers
New member
Username: jcp200hotmailcom
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2019
| | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2019 - 11:57 am: |
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Thanks for the reply David, great info.
You are correct that the 264 seems to be a rare engine. Interesting that you mention about running the power out of the other end (turning the block backwards): Friend who has been helping me has commented that the engine seems reversed, flywheel on the fwd. end. but, that is "all Greek to me".
We did check the temp. of the block with a temp. gun and also the temp. gauge. Temp. sender is located near what looks like a thermostat housing (but no thermostat on this engine).
I'm planning to install valves to regulate cooling water and increase running temp.
I think my "steam" problem is related to the exhaust manifold. Planning to start removing connections etc... to investigate if it's plugged up. Most likely will remove the manifold for full inspection. I am not familiar with the IH Black Diamond 264.
Thanks for suggestion on correcting "engine stumble". We have worked all of the mentioned adjustments and probably have to just keep working them.
Will check idle jet on carb. Fuel & filter are good. Transmission was rebuilt and seems to be operating correctly.
I am researching distributor rebuild possibilities.
I have attached some videos and a picture of the engine (hope you can open them up, came from my i-phone via icloud storage). I will also send to your e-mail.
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