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  1. brodie123

    Spark My Plug

    Hi All; I have a question about spark plug selection - specifically the heat range. I'f I'm trying to burn off carbon a little better, do I go up or down in heat range? i.e. The engine (Merc 4.1L L6) calls for AC Delco MR42TS, am I better or worse with AC Delco MR43TS (heat range of 3 vs 2)...
  2. brodie123

    Running Rough Merc 165 L6

    Hi All; Mercruiser L6 165 HP Engine is running rough after winter storage. It seems to 'miss' periodically and bog a tich. Was fine in the fall. Other than the odd miss, seems to run well. While running, it will run smooth but then once in a while 'rattle' and you can here what sounds like...
  3. brodie123

    Merc lower end identification

    Hi All. I have 2 merc lower ends - the one is a 8hp, the other I'm not sure - I think a 20hp? How do I identify them? (I'm planning to sell) I don't have the original motors - just in a pile of spares. I posted pics if that helps. Thanks in advance.
  4. brodie123

    Shifting Problems

    Hi All. Having some shifting issues and could use some advice before I rip it all apart. Mercruiser 205 I/O L4 My outdrive stopped shifting gears when we were out last. I assumed I broke a shift cable. The gear shift moves (was sticky a couple times) but would not go out of neutral. Out of...
  5. brodie123

    Cooling setup - Merc 3.7L with exchange

    Hi all; Mostly to make more room in the engine compartment but also to shed a 'little' weight, I'd like to remove the heat exchange from our Mercruiser 3.7L L4 engine. We don't ever go on salt water which I 'believe' to the main advantage for these but wanted to check here first for advice...
  6. brodie123

    plastic window dodger maint

    Hi All. I hope this is the right section. What's the best way to clean the plastic windows on a boat dodger? Our front windows, that get a 'lot' of sun, ended up with a light brown film we can't get off. Where it's not brown, we have a white haze we can't get rid of. The side panels are ok...
  7. brodie123

    Engine swap question - Merc 3.7 vs. 4.1

    Hi All; I have twin Merc 3.7 L4 165 HP motors in my boat (27' cabin cruiser) that give me constant grief. (One seized on me this weekend) In our 19' boat, we have a 4.1 L6 165 and I really find it to be bullet proof - very happy with that one. I scored two Merc 4.1 L6 165 HP engines a while...
  8. brodie123

    Merc 3.7L Top End Assembly Issue

    Hi All; Mercruiser 3.7L L4 224 engine: Well guys, I think I may have messed up my assembly on the top end. After running the motor for a couple hours, started getting some nasty top end noise. I bought new lifters (they are old and prob original) thinking I had a sticky lifter. When I took...
  9. brodie123

    Mercruiser 3.7 "Clacking"

    Hi All; Mercruiser 3.7L L4 Engine is "clacking" when I go 2000 rpm or above and increases with RPM. Below doesn't make any clacking. It seems like it's coming from the top end. It's not running as smooth at lower rpm as it did before. Runs ok at around 1500 for around 1/2 hr and then...
  10. brodie123

    Electronic ignition upgrade

    Hi Everyone; Mercruiser 3.7L 224 L4 I/O Serial # B959792 Ford engine block I'm trying to upgrade to electronic ignition and I was not able to find the correct distributor - I think now I was seeking the wrong one? I called Pertronix and gave them the motor specs - they sold me a ML-141C...
  11. brodie123

    Oil Pressure issue

    Hi All; Just installed a new oil pump on a Mercruiser 224 3.7L L4 due to really low oil pressure gauge readings - the motor was already out of the boat. I have a new oil sensor on it. I realize the gauge and/or wiring could also be bad. It's currently "0" pressure. Question is, without an...
  12. brodie123

    Distributor Upgrade

    Hi All; A couple quick questions. I'm upgrading my Mercruiser 3.7 L4, 224 I/O from points to electronic ignition. The manual shows a resistor wire - I normally would be looking for a ceramic resistor for the voltage drop. Where is this wire exactly and is it actually a high resistance wire...
  13. brodie123

    Inverter + Battery

    Hi Everyone; We have a 1800W inverter that, although barely, runs our electric stove. I find that if the main battery is not 100% charged (Nautilus Group 31 pure lead AGM deep cycle) even with the engines running, she cannot handle the stove. (if not fully charged) The other batteries are...
  14. brodie123

    Engine Tapping

    Hi Everyone; I rebuilt my Mercruiser 205 inline 4 - 165 hp inboard a year ago and she ran beautifully. (Dual engine in a 30 ft cabin cruiser) That is until a line fell off the stern and wrapped the prop - luckily at low speed. After that though, the dreaded "tap tap tap" noise. I pulled the...
  15. brodie123

    Alternator Test Help Needed

    Hi all. We have a cabin cruiser with twin merc L4's. Both have a stator for charging. Our anchorage battery (the other is for starting only) is a deep cycle battery. By morning with the fridge and everything else, the battery is 'low' but not dead. We have an inverter that runs our electric...
  16. brodie123

    Running too cool - need specific thermostat

    Hi All. My Mercruiser L6 250 4.1 L is running too cool. Be aware that this engine was rebuilt and upgraded to a 4 barrel carb. What's happening is when I am able to heat the engine up a few extra degrees (long run below planing speed) - she get's up to around 145+ degrees and there is a...
  17. brodie123

    Rebuilding my Merc 3.7

    Hi All; I've decided to rebuild my Mercruiser 3.7 inline 4 - 165hp engine serial # B959792 Before I place my order, I thought I would check here to ensure that I have correctly selected the parts and am not missing anything. Any parts I am ordering are under the "std" column which I believe...
  18. brodie123

    Desperately seeking Timing Marks

    Hi All; Before I pull out the cam and crank, I usually find timing marks for the chain or gear. This is a Mercruiser 3.7 inline 4 and has a different timing gear from our other boat. I see that the pins face each other on every other rotation, but there must be a better mark for re-assembly...
  19. brodie123

    Outdrive Replacement

    Hi All; I have a cabin cruiser with dual Mercruiser 3.7's. One outdrive (alpha) is getting water in the gear oil and metal shavings on the magnet. I pick up a few shavings every 10 hours of running. Seems to me it needs to be rebuilt. To save on the rebuild cost, I do have a complete "R"...
  20. brodie123

    The Scoop on Poop

    Hi All; We just bought our first cabin cruiser and my big question is on, poop! Are you able to flush down toilet paper or is this going to clog the manual pump? Thanks;
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