Recent content by trm

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    Mercruiser 120 Exhaust Test

    About to do acetone test on my exhaust mani and need to know if I need to remove the caruretor mounting plate boldted on the manifold (see pic) to do the test. Thanks for input, trm
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    chocolate milk for oil Merc 120

    Warmed the engine to thin the oil and it started fine and purred as usual. For the first time ever, the oil I took out of the 1968 Mercruiser 120 looked like chocolate milk. And I took out just over 5 quarts of it. Having read many posts about milky oil in the archives, I am aware I have a...
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    pre alpha match

    I have a Mercruiser pre alpha outdrive (SN# 2361794) eight spline verticle driveshaft mated to Mercruiser 120, and I have read dozens of posts here and elsewhere, trying to determine what newer (read parts available to repair) lower unit will mate with the upper. One post suggested that the...
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    1970 Pre Alpha only took 1.25 quarts?

    Drained the outdrive for 1 hour and pumped in 1.25 quarts of Merc gear oil in the bottom hole and it is flooding out of the upper hole. Thought it was supposed to take about 2.25 quarts. What is this mystery? Thanks for your replys is advance. trm
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    Preload pin on pre alpha frozen

    What the RX for a frozen preload pin. Liquided wrench and some persuasion? Thanks swabbie
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    Getting Rust off Vynal Seats

    What's good to get rust stain off vynal(sp) seats?<br /><br />TIA<br /><br />swabbie
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    mating lower and upper

    Mating the lower and upper Pre Alpha halves. Seem to get the shift collar on the shift shaft then can't get the drive shaft splines to line up. Once I get the lower unit locked in forward, the advice from other posts in the archive is to put light counter-clockwise pressure on the prop to get...
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    seal decimated in upper unit

    While replacing the water hose in the pre-Alpha this weekend, I did my search in the upper unit for the o-ring for the drive shaft. While in that mode, the flexibel portion of a seal in the lower end of the driveshaft cavity fell out. I have never seen in all the instructions for replacing the...
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    replace water hose in gimbal housing-pre alpha

    Can the upper unit be removed to gain access to this hose and it's clamps WITHOUT messing with the bellows?...Like almost remove it:-)
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    Replacing intake water hose

    Have new intake water hose for my Mercury (pre-alpha) and am curious if anyone has ever replaced one without pulling the drive off the bellhousing. It looks possible but need to know if it is:-) Any tips from those who have accomplished it would be more than welcome.<br /><br />Thanks, <br...
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    Aftermarket parts

    In the market for impeller and housings for my merc 120 pre alpha. Am curious about Sierra vs Merc genuine parts. Would like some responses from those who have used Sierra, and whether or not you use them again.<br /><br />Just trying to save a few $<br /><br />Thanks in advance<br /><br />swabbie
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    Weird Temps in 120 Merc

    120 Mercruiser<br />Strange thing begining to happen. Anything over 1800rpm (in gear)and temps are normal. Under 1800rpm and she heads for the redline (and a little beyond if I let it). When it hits the redline, either in gear or neutral, I go above 1800rpm and the temp returns to normal. <br...
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    dirty boat needs care

    The transom is all black at waterline(the boat is green). Must be years of acumulated crap from engine. It doesn't respond to car wash fluid or gasoline. Have read that toilet bowl cleaner with oxalic acid will clean it up. Went to the store and can't find a cleaner with oxalic acid listed...
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    update on merc 120

    Installed the rebuilt carb. Lost the spark when I screwed up the points attaching the new condenser. Put in new points set the dwell. For the first time ever, the old 120 started on the first cylinder to fire. Purred like a kitten after setting idle needles. Warmed her up and went from idle...
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    Merc 120 (early version) fuel pump

    Ok, I'm off to the lake to install rebuilt carb and hoping it makes the difference. If not, next suspect is fuel pump. I noticed at Merc home page that they no longer make the mechanical fuel pump (or the kit to fix it). What are you guys doing for fuel pumps when the original fails? Put a...
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