Recent content by dave buckner

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    merc. 165hp I/O new coupler problem..

    I have 18' 1973 Galaxy bowrider in EC ( original seats!) w/ 165hp merc inline 6 motor. I replaced failing coupler end of last season. I folowed all procedures , alignment tool pulled in out with ease. Today was first run of season and coupler completely failed. After 2 hours of mostly cruising...
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    what material do the screws holding motor mounts go into?

    i have '73 Galaxy 18' i/o bowrider with mercruiser inline 6 165hp. the front motor mount was moving around on me, so i went tighten screws (that hold front motor mount to transom) and they pulled right out. do these screws go directly into wood (which is apparently rotten around these screw...
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    prop suggestions for 165hp I/O 18" ?

    15" 21 pitch good for skiing, and 23 pitch pulls great(however shot due to low lake)(both are aluminum). since i can switch , would going to 25 pitch be reasonable ( for additional speed) when not skiing? generally im cruising 2,200-2,600rpm, but its fun to open up occasionally. im a newbie and...
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    merc. outdrive kills motor when shifted into forward??

    new boater just finished rebuilding upper outdrive on '74 galaxy with merc 165 i/0. boat performed great other than one new quirk: boat shifts into drive at idle fine, but as more throttle is applied motor dies most of the time. after several tries, she will accept throttle and drive normally...
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    merc. upper drive gears shot. DIY'er job or not?

    '74 merc. 165 i/o upper drive gears are self destructing. ive gotten excellent feedback on this site for the parts.(THANKS!) i have a few questions for you mechanics out there:<br /> 1. what is difficulty rating of adjusting gears shims and lash. (i have rebuilt car tranny , rear end...
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    where to find mercruiser drive gear parts at good price?

    i have '74 mercruiser 165, with its outdrive on my kitchen counter. drive gears are self destrucing. (my first) boat is 6 weeks old and i know parts are pricey. any help on where to buy discount parts(especially upper drive gears)would be appreciated. thanks, dave
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    what type mercruiser would '73 model be?

    as far as parts shopping for lower unit, im wondering what type drive a '73 model 165hp 250ci merc i/o would be. ive heard this is pre-"alpha". all feedback appreciated. thanks,dave
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    knocking sound from lower unit that came then disappeared?

    i have '74 mercruiser 165hp i/o i have had for one month. boat seems to be well cared for and it has performed flawlessly until today. all at once a knocking sound appeared from the lower unit(motor sonds fine). as rpms increase, knocking increased.(propeller shows no signs of contact with...
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    knocking sound from lower unit that came then disappeared?

    i have '74 mercruiser 165hp i/o i have had for one month. boat seems to be well cared for and it has performed flawlessly until today. all at once a knocking sound appeared from the lower unit(motor sonds fine). as rpms increase, knocking increased.(propeller shows no signs of contact with...
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    would you tow with slightly bent tongue on trailer?

    used boat im looking at has bend on one side of tongue pinching in aroung 1/4". trailer is supposed to tow fine anyway. is this a "no no"? thanks, dave
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    rubber seal arond OMC i/o outdrive?

    looking at a boat with OMC outdrive with huge rubber seal around it. it has glue around the bottom, like it has been leaking. how long should those seals last and how much do they cost? thanks, dave
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    new boater needs input on OMC 350ci motor and OMC 800 outdrive

    this would be my first boat and it is a 79 Cobia sportster. supposedly lower half of lower unit is rebuilt and 350 rebuilt( 6 years ago, and has been sitting since) (motor is not overbored at all?) with 360hp corvette cam. i assume it will be hard to know whether these have been rebuilt, but...
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    should lower unit gears clunk when shifting from forward to reverse?

    checked out a '79 cobia sportster today with omc 350. bottom lower unit is supposed to be rebuilt but there was a gear meshing sound when boat went from forward to reverse. (this was done out of water, on trailer) what should i think of this? is it normal or is he full of b.s. and lower unit is...
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    how to check conditon of outdrive on used boat?

    im looking at older (1980-1992) bowriders with i/o motors. i am mechanically inclined and im comfortable checking motors, but i know nothing about boat outdrives. i dont want to get a $4,000 boat that needs a rebuilt $3,000 outdrive. any buying that keeps me out of trouble is greatly...
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    towing with 91' mustang GT

    has anybody had experience towing a boat with a v-8 mustang? tow rating is 1000lbs. i need to tow 1500-2000lbs worth of boat and trailer. is this practical or am i looking for troble? thanks, dave
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