gstark:
Hotcrusader76:
I'm not quite sure you understand where I am coming from.
I do understand your position, I grew up rodding around SoCal, building engines and doing engine swaps. So I am really familiar with the economies of cars and boats.
But - when safety is an issue, there are no shortcuts.
You have done a fine job convincing yourself (and perhaps others) that usage of non-marine carbs is acceptable because you have an open engine and only run it for a short duration. Unfortunately, your rationale is incorrect because it describes "how" you use your boat, but it does not address the potential effects and consequences of a fuel/carb ignition scenario.
Even if your engine is fully open, with no dogbox, it is easy to have a carb fire. How many times have you seen floats stuck with fuel spilling over? I've seen this many times. Even burned up a truck this way. Add to this a bilge full of fumes (remember, fuel vapor density is greater than air) that could collect in between your 15 minute runs, even in a ventilated area.
Now add an ignition source (standard distributor) and guess what happens.
That is what marine rated equipment is all about. Its design is to minimize risk and prevent life and property damage. The cost of this marine rating is due to the limited market, certainly not to the equipment itself.
I work in the aircraft design industry, and get involved in system certification. I can only tell you that short cuts and bypassing safety items is simply unacceptable in this area. Just look at the consequences of an accident - no further explanation required.
I've seen too many accidents, been in a few myself, to know that in an instant, your life can change. Perhaps the perspective I have is something that comes with time and experience.
I'm just trying to share this, so that you, or anyone else doesn't learn the hard way.And again I agree with you...My training first stemmed from the ranks of the Military and working on Avionics systems mainly Radar and VHF/UHF systems and safety has always been number one.
At no time do I mislead a customer into believing that the automotive carburetor is the best option with price over safety. Funny thing is I can minimize the risk of fuel spill alone with J-tubes, but with a carburetor having an overflow issue, J-tubes alone will not help! Yes floats do malfuction and stick on occasion, dependant on how they were rigged inside. Just so people understand, at no time would I sell my product with the belief that it's the same as a marine version, and the differences only lye within the J-tubes and shafts. But any carburetor guru will tell you, float problems are the number one blammed part on a carburetor, and keeping them functioning without over-flowing is tricky. But an overflowing carburetor at 3000RPM, J-tubes or not, grooved shafts (not slabbed)or not, will never stop the carburetor from spilling all over the engine when you begin to idle down, specially when these guys run these "Craftsmen" Size fuel pumps running 50psi...when they should be at 7-8psi. It is only going to slow the affects of the spill on the motor.
But hell.....Holley has engineered the design for a Marine safe fuel system, and the coasties (Dept. of Transportation) bought off on it. Whether it was up to par or not....but who is to compete?
[ August 15, 2002, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: Hotcrusader76 ]