Search results

  1. nola mike

    Correct operating temp for a 470?

    Just curious. Saw a thread a month or so back looking for solutions for running at low temps. Someone suggested a coolant res cap thermometer. My gauge has always (2 years) showed temp at 140-150'. Anyway, I got the cap and it looks like my actual running temp is 175-185'. Seems kind of...
  2. nola mike

    Dwell reading with electronic ign conversion?

    using a pertronix-type electronic ignition conversion, i'm curious as to what the dwell reading should be; i'm getting 20'. when i briefly swapped the points back on, the dwell was 36' and the engine speed was increased. i know that there isn't really "dwell" in the electronic, but i would...
  3. nola mike

    Fixing a TPS/alpha 1?

    Trying to fix my trim position switch on an alpha 1. I'm not sure whether it's "old" or "new" style. Looks like there are 2 wire wound metal bars that provide variable resistance. 1 of these bars is FUBAR'd. While I think I know the answer to this, is there anywhere to get just a replacement...
  4. nola mike

    Melted wires, anything else to replace?--UPDATE

    So I've been chasing electrical gremlins for a bit, lately limited to a sometimes erratic tach. Driving yesterday, lost power, boat shut down. Started up, ran for a minute, shut down. Tried to restart, saw smoke from back of engine. But it restarted, seemed to idle fine for maybe 5 min, then...
  5. nola mike

    Fuel mileage?

    Just curious what others are getting for fuel mileage. Boat's finally running well enough that I can focus on stupid stuff like this, instead of constantly wondering if I'm about to grenade and need to stay close to shore ;) Anyway, 3.7L 19' runabout, looks like i get a touch better than 3.5...
  6. nola mike

    Misfire or tach or other electrical prob?

    So ALMOST running perfectly. Runs fine at speed. Noticed that sometimes (seems like the end of the day), when idling, the tach starts bouncing around, between 700-1400 rpm. The engine runs rough when it does this. I'm not sure if i'm misfiring, causing the tach to bounce, or if my primary...
  7. nola mike

    Good couple of days...

    Well, so the boat is FINALLY running, and almost running perfectly (almost). A rundown of the offseason/early season: 1. End of october. blew out my outdrive. Craigslist drive #1 had an input shaft seal leak, awaiting repair. Craigslist drive #2, though the wrong 2:1 ratio, seems to be...
  8. nola mike

    Leaking exhaust gasket, ticking...?

    OK, so i'm nearing a running boat. one of the probs i had was a leaking exhaust riser/mani gasket. over the winter i changed that gasket and the exhaust gasket. recently found that the riser gasket was still leaking; i cranked the engine over before discovering the coolant in the cylinders...
  9. nola mike

    Stupid fuel filter replacement question...

    replacing my main fuel filter; originally a ceramic-type filter, replacement is a regular paper-element type. my manual says "Filter element--open end of filter element MUST BE down" and "spring--on top of filter element". now, seems like the open end of the element should be facing the fuel...
  10. nola mike

    Fixing wiring harness?

    incredible how the problems keep adding up! just when i think i'm about to be back on the water...anyhow, engine turning over, would catch, then immediately die. fuel in the carb, and i was getting spark as well. HOWEVER, with the key in the "on" position, i had 0v at the coil (+). no voltage...
  11. nola mike

    Solvent to clean carb?

    i know, i know. but barring using 10 cans of carb cleaner, what other solvent would work? my go to would usually be mineral spirits for this sort of thing (i have a few gallons kicking around)--any problems with that? or would acetone or something else be better? i can't seem to find a big...
  12. nola mike

    need help withj part #

    Just busted a fuel line on my 86 3.7L. Only have a blackberry and can't look up the part #. I have 2 hours till iboats closes, which then means I'll have trouble getting it for next weekend. It's the solid line from the fuel pump to the carb. I am not pleased. Many thanks.
  13. nola mike

    Will this carb work in my 3.7L 170?

    Bought a rebuilt carb on ebay for $50. it says "MCM 170/470 1389-8489" on the tag, and is a 2bbl mercarb, i'm assuming for a 170/470. however, i can't seem to cross reference that part # except on ebasicpower. i wanted a spare as i attempt to rebuild my original...
  14. nola mike

    Troubleshooting trim sender/gauge?

    can anyone tell me how the sender for the trim position sensor works? mine isn't accurate suddenly, and won't hit the bottom of the gauge even with the sensor adjusted all the way. 1. i would guess that the sensor is just a rheostat, but looking at the wiring diagrams, it appears that one...
  15. nola mike

    Shift fork slipping?

    Alpha 1 gen 1. Changed impeller (left upper half of drive attached). Now the shift fork on the transom assembly slips off of the gear lever on the outdrive. I figured I didn't have everything aligned correctly during reassembly and bent/broke something, but I split the case and removed the...
  16. nola mike

    What carb will fit my 170?

    I think i have some carb issues with my 3.7L 170. I'd like to try my hand at rebuilding one. Since the issues are (so far) minor, I want to get a spare that I can take my time with. Looking at the part #'s, it seems like all the carbs for the 470's are different. Are really none of them...
  17. nola mike

    need a new prop, question about interchangeability ...

    i put a "new" outdrive on my boat, which i think may be the wrong gear ratio. the drive otherwise works fine, and i'd like to keep it, at least as a spare (i'm trying to reseal another drive). anyway, i now turn > 4750 rpm on a 19' runabout, 3.7L alpha 1, instead of the recommended 4600 with my...
  18. nola mike

    wrong ratio drive?

    Finally got my "new" outdrive on, and confident enough in the boat for a few WOT runs. Noticed that I'm turning ~4750 rpm/44 mph using my same 23p prop. Old drive would do 4600/49 mph. Guy said the drive was from a 4.3l. S/n isn't readable, and no other markings. Did I get a 2:1 ratio drive...
  19. nola mike

    Anyone on the lower Potomac?

    Seems like a lot of people on the Chesapeake or upper Potomac/NoVa area. Anyone in my neck of the woods? I'm about 5 miles downriver from Colonial Beach, on the Va side...
  20. nola mike

    Best way to attach rope to u-bolt?

    kind of a strange setup on my boat. it has a wakeboard tower (see pic), though i'm not sure how that will do for waterskiing. otherwise, there's a single u-bolt in the center on the rear--this is normally the kind that is on either side of the rear and a pulley system attaches to. since it's...
Top