Recent content by davejohnson

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    Boat Dr. in Metairie...did he make it?

    Anybody know how Hank Johnston (The Boat Dr.) fared thrugh the hurricane? I've bought the occasional part from him, and spoke to him a few times. Seems like a good Joe and his prices/service were always good. He was in Metairie, Louisiana, though...and his web site is down. Any news from...
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    Rectifier? Who knew?

    Confession here: I bought my old boat 2 years ago, with a 1977 Mercury 900 inline six on the back...and I knew *nothing* about outboards. Long story short, I got a book and lots of trial and error and busted knuckles, and the motor runs fine now. I've always rotated/charged my batteries out...
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    tilt/trim I think I screwed up bad.

    Motor: 1978 Mercury 900 inline 6. I put new brushes in the TT motor, then when remounting it, and reattaching the hydraulic hoses, I overtightened a hose fitting and stripped the threads in the base. I nearly cried. I've kicked myself enough now, so I need to know if I'm screwed here. Is...
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    Installing fishfinder. Help?

    Hi from north Georgia. Got a Garmin Fishfinder 160 for Christmas and am nervous about the install. I have *zero* knowledge/experience with these things, and only the meager directions in the package to go by. I could use some wisdom from those of you who have some to spare.<br /><br />My boat...
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    Solenoids: what's the difference?

    Motor is 1978 Merc 900 Inline 6. Mounted on 1957 Thompson woodie.<br /><br />Tilt/Trim suddenly stoppped yesterday afternoon in the middle of the lake. Click-click. Clicked on the UP button, and on the DOWN button as well. Solenoids shot, right? Anyway, back on the hill everybody in Bartow...
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    Because of you guys...

    ...and my Clymer book, I have managed to get my old motor across the line where I can confidently declare that she is free of problems. I have read things here that I never would have thought of, and tried things (successfully) that I definitely would have paid someone else to do otherwise.<br...
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    Carbs don't need cleaning?

    I was having some problems at low RPM's with my '78 inline six. Stalling. It would idle very nicely forever, but stall when I nudged the throttle forward. Thought it was bad spark or fuel delivery. So, my last effort was to try and adjust the idle upward a bit.<br /><br />Throttle cable and...
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    My SEAFOAM experience

    OK, veterans. Need help.<br /><br />My motor: '78 Merc 900 inline 6 (#5034807) I just got it this summer. Yes, I'm a rook.<br /><br />Runs great, better than great, at 25% throttle upwards. But this motor stalls at idle speed *every time*. I changed the plugs, rebuilt fuel pump, put in...
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    Removing Motor from Boat

    Sorry that this isn't a mechanical problem per se, but you guys seem to have the rigth answer for everything. I have to remove my 1978 Merc 900 inline 6 briefly to take the weight off of the transom for a structural repair. The thing looks cumbersome as heck. I do have access to a hoist, but...
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    Spray Carb Cleaner Question

    Decided to use some spray carb cleaner on my old outboard ('78 Mercury 900 inline 6) this weekend. It's sat for some years with no tune-up before I got it this summer, and I think it would benefit from the treatment. I've seen some posters here argue against the spray stuff, in favor of...
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    Weakish tell-tale stream. help?

    New to outboards, so please humor a newbie question.<br />The other day, on a quick run to test a rebuilt fuel pump, I noticed that the stream of water from the tell-tale hole of my '78 Mercury 900 inline 6 isn't as straight-out strong as it has been; more like an erratic spurting, and included...
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    '78 inline 6 - power trim help please

    Rookie here trying to restore an old one. I finally got her running, and attacked the non-functioning power trim today. Motor runs strong, but every drop of fluid goes right into the bilge. While putting on new hoses, I noticed that one of the 'fat' hose fittings was at some point...
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    Tell me about this motor!

    Hi from Georgia, y'all. My 2nd post. This site is awesome. Just browsing here I got so many tips from you people. I'm gonna be in here very often.<br /><br />OK: the antique wooden boat I bought on impulse this summer has a 1978 Mercury 900 (ser# 5034807) inline 6 tower. Long story, but it...
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    Spark/Fuel Mercury Rookie. Help!

    Hi from Georgia. I just acquired an antique boat with a 1978 Mercury 900 inline 6. Runs fantastic, even wide open when connected to the earmuffs & hose, but stalls immediately when in the water and any load whatsoever is placed on the motor. Starts back up fine, but stalls again on the first...
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