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  1. J

    MerCruiser ALPHA ONE 1.32 Gear Ratio Upper Unit on a GM 5.0/5.7

    Any issues using a MerCruiser ALPHA ONE with a 1.32 Gear Ratio Upper Unit on a GM 5.0/5.7L? Upper unit has a 1.32 gear ratio. Engine is Mercruiser with s/n M048938, so a 5.0 or 5.7L? I’ve read the following gear ratios to engine: 1.32/1.29 for big block V-8s 1.50/1.47 for small block V-8s...
  2. J

    Mercruiser Alpha Gen 1? Gen 2? Or Bravo?

    Looking for help identifying type of Mercruiser outdrive this is. Alpha Gen 1? Alpha Gen 2? Bravo?
  3. J

    Suggestions for ways to reinforce the stringer?

    Boat is a 1986 Rampage 24 Express The second poor design of this Rampage is the screw holes for the jack shaft cover.The screw holes are right over the stringers and a place that allows water to leak onto the stringers. (see picture). (First poor design, IMHO, is no access to fuel tanks without...
  4. J

    coolant suggestions?

    1986 Rampage 24 Express with Mercruiser M048938 (5.0L) Suggestions on what to use for coolant in closed cooling system? Previous owner was using Napa Orange (see picture). Thanks
  5. J

    Sea Water Pump pulling water?

    Rampage 24 Express Closed cooling system Mercruiser M048938 Is there any way to test the Sea Water Pump is pulling water? If engine is run for 30 seconds on land, will it drain any water in the sea strainer? (I'm hesitant to run dry... don't want to damage the impeller in the sea water pump.)...
  6. J

    bushing inside the bearing of idler/tensioner pulley - loose and noisy

    Mercruiser (5.0l / 5.7l Alpha & Bravo Gen+) - M048938 Engine making a clickety clack noise while running. I located problem -- idler/tensioner pulley. I removed serpentine belt and started engine again (for very short time). Noise gone. I spun all the pulleys and narrowed it down to the...
  7. J

    Suggestions -- sealing a speaker hole cutout

    1986 Rampage 24 Express Removed an old speaker and found that the speaker hole cutout has exposed balsa core. Suggestions on how to seal this before installing new speaker? West Systems? Other? Thanks in advance!
  8. J

    Suggestions for fixing these small cracks under bow rail base?

    Suggestions for fixing these small cracks under bow rail base? Only 2 bases have these small cracks. Others are good. Bolts under this rail base are NOT rusty. Not yet. Thanks in advance. I appreciate the great help on this forum.
  9. J

    Hull construction for 72 Mako23?

    Hi all- Does anyone know where I can find info on the hull construction for a 1972 Mako23? Looking at a used boat that has some damage on the bow stem. Trying to assess how structurally sound (or unsound) and guess-timate the cost to repair. The white marks are from a missing roller on...
  10. J

    Intake manifold gasket

    1988 Four Winns Horizon 502APRGDP 1988 OMC (GM) V8 5.0L The Seloc manual notes "Use Silicone Rubber Sealer at all water passages and wherever a seal butts against a gasket." Should the Silicone Rubber Sealer be applied to both the Cylinder Head mating surface and the Intake Manifold mating...
  11. J

    Engine knocking

    1988 OMC 5.0 502APRGDP Engine just started making a loud knocking today while running on water muffs at low idle. Was idling fine and then knocking sound just started. Knocking increases when RPMs increase. I pulled the valve cover on starboard side and checked the push rods. All look ok...
  12. J

    choke heat tube, hissing and hard start

    1988 OMC 5.0 502APRGDP 2 bbl Rochester carb - heat choke Intake Manifold - GM 14096284 Would a leak from where choke heat tune comes out of intake manifold cause hard starting or enging not turning over? (see picture) I replaced the choke heat tube that sits inside the intake manifold. Started...
  13. J

    Best way to check that piston is at top of its travel...

    The end may be nigh. :-( 1988 OMC 5.0 (502APRGDP) I need to do a leakdown test on cylinder #7. (Sad story details are below.) What is best way to check that piston is at top of its travel, while manually rotating engine? I need to do a leakdown test. Sad Story: Compression tests in Spring...
  14. J

    How many quarts of oil?

    How many quarts of oil for a 1988 OMC 5.0L (502APRGDP)? I can't find the specs. Dipstick shows oil at "full" mark with 4 quarts. But, I thought I read somewhere that 5.0L 8 cylinder takes 6 quarts? Oil pressure at 40PSI with 4 quarts when at 1,000 RPMs. Pressure jumps up to 80 PSI at 3,000...
  15. J

    Crankcase oil has slight fuel smell

    Checking the oil level. Rag I wiped dipstick on had a slight fuel smell from oil on dipstick. (Rag was clean and no fuel smell. I cleaned dip stick again with new rag that had no fuel smell before wiping off dipstick. ) Checked clear hose routed from the fuel pump to the carburetor. No fuel in...
  16. J

    Prop recommendations?

    Prop recommendations? I have been reading many threads about choosing the right prop. So much to consider! :) Before I begin my assessment of different prop pitches and diameters, I am looking for some recommendations to use as starting points. Ultimately, I will test different props --...
  17. J

    Using a vacuum guage on 1988 OMC 5.0

    I want to get my idle mixture just right and wanted to do it with a vacuum gauge. Anyone know where I can hook up a vacuum gauge? The carb is a Rochester 2 bbl marine carb. I don't see any vacuum ports. Carb # - Rochester 17059060.
  18. J

    Spark plugs for reading -- 1988 OMC 5.0 (502APRGDP)

    I value the feedback and advice on this forum. Looking for help reading spark plugs. This is from an old rig (1988). Trying to gauge how many more seasons in her -- and ultimately, if i should invest any more in her. These plugs are 2 weeks old. Have been out on water 3 times with these plugs...
  19. J

    Winterizing 1988 5.0L -- Draining manifolds, etc - is that acceptable?

    Today, I winterized my 1988 Four Winns with OMC v8 5.0L inboard and outdrive. 502APRGDP Sorry for the lengthy post. I have 2 questions. I connected fresh water hose and muffs then ran the engine to normal operating temp. I turned off the engine and hooked up a winterizing kit jug to the...
  20. J

    Pulled spark plugs and water came out

    Recently had outdrive removed to repair a bent prop shaft. Outdrive was off for a week. After outdrive was reattached, mechanic tried to start engine. Starter was making a grinding noise. Mechanic replaced starter. After replacing starter, still hearing a grinding noise. I went to hear noise...
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