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    What makes a prop a "Bowlifter"

    Some props are designated as "Bowlifters" some as "Sternlifters". What about the prop's design causes this?
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    Merc inline 6 - possible water intrusion?

    I removed the hose from the lower crank case bleed valve and I get a few drops of white liquid. It smells like gas and soaks into a rag like gas, and could be the remants of the white grease I used to install the rod bearings mixed with fuel. It could also be water mixed with 2 cycle fuel...
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    SHT - Medley

    Here is a synopsis of some of the SHT I have been part of.<br /><br />In my teens: Went water skiing a lot. Had a friend who liked to ski in a tuxedo tails jacket, nothing else. Not a real pretty sight. <br /><br />Took a busty friend waterskiing one day. We wore waterski belts in those...
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    Need main and rod bearings for a 4.3LX Merc

    I'm planning to install main and connecting rod bearings on my '88 205HP 4.3LX Mercruiser. The Mercruiser numbers are 23-818465 for a set of Main bearings, and 23-11992 for a single pair of connecting rod bearings. Is there a cross reference to automotive bearings? As usual the price...
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    Oil Pan sprung a leak, is an Automotive replacement acceptable?

    The Oil pan on my '88 4.3LX sprung a leak. Can I use a standard automotive oil pan as a replacement? The dipstick is on the starboard side, does this make a difference?<br /><br />I plan to change the timing cover at the same time. Can I use the automotive version? Are "marine" gaskets...
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    Can interior trim hoses be changed w/o pulling block?

    Is it possible to replace the power trim/tilt hoses inside the boat without pulling the motor? I have not had any luck seeing where they attach to the sterndrive unit, but I assume they attach below the driveshaft to the inside of the transom plate. I also assume if I had long enough arms, I...
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    Cracked a Thrust Washer - How did I get so strong?

    I was installing the prop on my 150HP Inline Merc. As I tightened the prop with a standard prop wrench, the thrust washer split in two pieces. Now, I'm not too strong, and didn't pull too hard on the wrench. What in the heck happened? Do they get brittle with age (or saltwater)?
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    Center Electrode burned away

    Folks, I started my '88 4.3LX, and it ran poorly. Just for fun I pulled the spark plugs I had installed last summer and looked them over. Several had rounded electrode straps, and one was missing at least 3/16 of its center electrode. It appeared to be burned away. I replaced them, and the...
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    Rapture or Stiletto - a SS Prop question

    Which of these are the best for my boat, or is another brand better? I'm running a Merc inline 6, 150HP motor on a 16' Avenger speedboat. Boat has a shallow V bottom, and a jackplate. Boat, motor and driver (and gear) weigh about 1300#. I get 58-6000RPM (54MPH)with an old, worn 19" pitch...
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    Color fishfinders - is it hype?

    I saw a color FF on a charter boat. The color display made it easy to determine what was structure, bottom and fish. Of course this was an expensive commercial device. Color FF have come down in price to $600 (more or less). The ones I have looked at in stores (in simulation mode) seem to...
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    Oil Injection into intake manifold on outboards

    My 1973 2 cycle 7 port loop charged motorcycle engine had very reliable oil injection. It consisted of a crankshaft-driven, variable stroke pump. The throttle setting controlled the pump stroke, and the engine speed controlled the pump speed. The oil was pumped into a banjo fitting on the...
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    Are carbed I/O motors preferred by mechanics?

    Had a discussion with some boat lovers New Years Eve. (We were all sober, BTW. :D ) They told me that some marine mechanics refuse to work on the fuel injected Mercruiser motors. They consider them too complex and unreliable.<br /><br />The question is has anyone else heard this? Also, can...
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    Another leaking oil filter!

    Folks, The oil filter on my Mercruiser rusted through for the second time in three years. This time I didn't notice it right away and it dumped 2+ quarts of oil in the bilge. What a mess!<br /><br />Since this has now happened twice, I wonder, does it happen to anyone else on this forum...
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    Hull Separation Problems Too?

    I read the previous post about difficulty separating the deck from the hull. I have a 16' low profile speedboat. It has a 1/2" by 1/8" - half round solid aluminum rub rail held on by rivets. It also appears that the rub rail does not cover a joint, between the deck and hull. It is possible...
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    What year is the Merc Powerhead

    I purchased a rebuilt powerhead for my 150HP inline six. The "new" powerhead has 12 point, 3/16" connecting rod screws, rather than the bolt and lock nuts on the original powerhead from 1977. I suspect that the rebuilt powerhead may be older in vintage. Also, on the rebuilt powerhead, the...
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    Lets break 'em both

    I live on the bay in NJ. Several years ago I had an old runabout as well as my speedboat. My runabout had a nasty habit of developing a no spark condition after I was out running around the bay for about 10 minutes. Now I have had this problem for a couple of weeks, and have made some...
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    I need to identify a Mercury Prop 48-77349 A40 21P

    I got this prop in a trade. I have been unable to identify it. It would appear to be a standard aluminum 21 pitch Mercury prop, but the part number is 1 number off. Is it maybe an "extra Cup" 21P Merc Prop?
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    Does the intake manifold on a 4.3LX V-6 seal the water jacket

    Folks, It looks like I may need to replace the intake manifold on my 4.3L V-6. Does the raw water cooling system come in contact with either the manifold itself, or its bolts. I am concerned about corrosion on these bolts when I go to replace it.
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    4.3LX -Alpha 1 overheats at idle only

    My 1988 4.3LX Mercruiser overheats only at idle. This occurs while in neutral or while in gear. As soon as RPM exceeds 1000 in gear, motor cools off. I recently needed to change the circulating pump pully from the old rotted out (discontinued) 5 1/2" model to the new 7" model. I realize this...
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    Biocide for Gasoline?

    I have seen a "Biocide/ anti-fungal" intended for use in gasoline, at a local marine store. I have heard of it for diesel, but never for gas. Is it "Snake oil", or does it have some utility :confused: ?
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