Carver Owners Forum

I have just bought a 1985 Carver Rivera with single engine and have a lot of question, if anyone can help please
first the engine is 350 hp is that enough power to get her on a plane ????
she will only do 3000 rpm at wot and some times backfire when at that rpm
anyone know what the wot rpm should be ????? posting.php?mode=post&f=2#

Never heard of that boat with a single. Most came with twin 5.0's, 230 hp ea I believe. That engine should be in the mid 4000 rpm range. It will probably get on plane, but barely

Shouldn't be backfiring at any throttle setting and you should certainly get more than 3000 rpm. Time to call an engine mechanic.

Congratulations and welcome aboard.
I agree with the guys; you should be getting higher rpm than that. Start with the basics and get an ignition tune up, it should be done regardless of whether it's the cause of the problem or not unless you have proof it's been done recently. This will eliminate the ignition system being the culprit and will give you a record of when if was last done moving forward. If this doesn't solve the problem, start diagnosing the fuel system.

With any new boat purchase, one should consider other critical items such as impellers, fluids, belts, etc. These are all perishables that need to be replaced as part of a regular maintenance schedule.

Welcome Aboard. Hope you can solve your issues. Already come good suggestions. A tune up is a must. Could have clogged fuel filters especially if she sat for some time. Because she sat a lot of those things need to be addressed. Not sure what the specs are on a 454 Crusader. Should get at least 4000 RPM I would think.

Good luck getting her up to snuff.

If it sat for a couple of years, is the gas a couple years old?
What does the bottom look like?

What size is that Rivera? If 28, then I think you'd have plenty of power with a 350HP Crusader.

Like others have said, time to go through the tune-up. Make SURE you check the mechanical advance on the distributors. If it's an 85 and still have points, you might consider getting an electronic distributor from Delco or Presolite and you'll know the advance works fine and won't need to mess with the points ever again.

Also go though the fuel system and check or change all the filters. You may have one mounted right on the carb, at the fuel inlet.

Yes there are some Rivera with single engines I have found three before I bought this one, built for overseas as fuel is expense over there and there are also some with small diesels too.
thank you guy for the advice
will the bottom was just done
I did order a distribution kit with a new cap, rotor, condenser, and points
I did have the carb rebuilt, but not sure the fuel filter was changed
should changing the spark plugs be part of the new kit also and is there any way to check the plug wires ???

I would just replace the plug wires. Buy good wires.

If you are keeping your old distributors and using the electronic kit, you still need to check the advance weights, pins, and springs.

Was the carb rebuild before the problem or was it rebuilt to try and correct the problem. If before check to make sure carb is full open and you are getting lots of fuel to it.