Our 1983 41YF has 454/350s for power. Like everybody, I have been continually searching for ways to improve performance and fuel consumption. There are no miracles but two things have helped a lot.
One, I had the shafts and props computer balanced. Secondly, I switched to newer hot-tip spark plugs. I use my own rule-of-thumb for best fuel performance: if we were cruising at 11 KTS, for example, I looked for fuel consumption to be 11 GPM per engine, that is, one-to-one. Since the improvements, fuel consuption consistantly runs a gallon per hour less per engine. Not much but, every bit helps. More importantly, now the engines are equal in fuel use and vacuum (I installed gauges). They used to vary, something I would attribute to an early re-build on the starbord engine. Up to 3300 RPM they each pull about 10 inches of vacuum. Above that, when the secondaries open, the vacuum drops like a rock. Nevertheless it's nice to know the power is there to get through rough water when needed. It's easy to determine the best cruising speed when watching the GPH meters. The further below 1:1 consumption, the more economical - and it's not always where you might imagine it to be! Finally, slight adjustments to trim tabs while watching GPS SOG helps a lot acheiving the best speed. Regardless, of all the above it still hurts to pay $4.80+ per gallon in Canada!!! --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "UnifliteWorld" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/unifliteworld?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
