Performance during break-in

[jpuryear]

Hi guys,
Wondering about how my boat/motor are doing. I've got about 3 hrs on my rebuild (95 190 DCX/200 magnum EFI; 25m, 4 in below pad) and that's probably all 'till spring. Followed Pat's method pretty rigorously - hard on the gas, hard off with the engine all the way down for 1st hour. Could turn 5200 by the end of hr 1. For 2nd-3rd hrs continued this adding trim and short runs at WOT. Was turning 6000-6100 yesterday at max speed 62 GPS. Fairly light load, heavy chop, low 40s.

Is this going to improve with more engine hrs? Won't more speed have to come from more RPM? Boat also really reacts to conditions in the steering. If I come out of full grunt, the nose drops and pulls right but torque is reduced making left turns easier. Is that an engine height problem? Also doesn't seem to really air out either. I never got that running loose feeling. Could be my whopping 3 hrs of seat time but maybe I've got some setup corrections to make too.

any ideas?

Jeff

[iron banks]

Suspect you may need to raise the engine. Keep an eye on water psi 15 min wot is best. Just got a new 198 and I had to raise the engine almost 2 inches from the factory to get the engine to turn the rpms and get rid of the chine walk. Every hull is different but I would bet you can go up at least a 1/2 on the set up.

[ChampioNman]

I'd wait for it to get through break-in.

[jpuryear]

So you think things will change between now and say 10 hrs on the engine?

[iron banks]

Your engine may loosen a little with break in time. However, if you are more than a couple hundred rpm away from where the top operating range is then raising the engine is not uncalled for.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpuryear &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So you think things will change between now and say 10 hrs on the engine?</TD></TR></TABLE>

[jpuryear]

Thanks.
Shows what I know. I actually thought lowering the engine would increase my bite and reduce RPM. If you believe the theoretical calculation you get something like 18% slip for 25p at 6100 and 62 mph. Steering is really stiff too.

If I go up, what will that do to steering?

[Lea]

Raising the motor will generally reduce chine-walk, but increase steering torque. Wait till your break in is complete, as Fred suggested, and then start experimenting... You want your rooste to be no higher than the cowling.

Generally, a good place to start is 3.5" below pad. Move up or down in no more than 1/4" increments. You may need to try different props, too...

[jpuryear]

I'm thinking my break-in is over. Gonna run double oil for two tanks - but pretty much done is what I got from Pat.