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  1. Rick Stephens

    Sticky Throttle cable? Shift Cable? Help!

    Sounds like you need to learn how the shift interrupt system works and fix it. Read through this post (that can be found in the stickies along with a lot of other stuff) Next is watch Chris's video on adjusting shift linkage. Last, might lubricate your throttle cable if it seems sticky even...
  2. Rick Stephens

    Engine dies after 40 minutes

    I'd redo the carb (again). All it takes is a funky needle valve. When done the last time, was an OEM kit for the carb or a chinesium copy?
  3. Rick Stephens

    Engine dies after 40 minutes

    I'm a little confused here. Does the motor die or does it stay running at idle speeds? Two very different scenarios.
  4. Rick Stephens

    Two Issues

    Dieseling is from too rich and or timing off. Very dangerous for your motor as it can kick backwards as it dies, sucking water into the motor. Check choke, set float level, check timing.
  5. Rick Stephens

    Drive stays in position where set downwards and upwards…but…

    Wisdoms.
  6. Rick Stephens

    Your take on Transom Thickness

    I thought Chris's suggestion was a single 383. Noting that you already are on the dual inline path, the big single would be killer.
  7. Rick Stephens

    Drive stays in position where set downwards and upwards…but…

    If I'm not mistaken there is a pressure relief valve that allows the drive to be forced up. This is for when an obstruction is impacted. All it would take is crud in the valve to allow the drive to be lifted easier than normal.
  8. Rick Stephens

    "Premium" vs "high performance" lube

    As a kid I had a job driving a tractor trailer. Truck had a brand spankin new rebuilt motor in it. First week on the job I noticed oil level down and added a little DELO. Later that day the motor froze up. When we pulled the pan on that motor, you could turn it upside down and none of the oil...
  9. Rick Stephens

    Your take on Transom Thickness

    Not that hard to add 1/4 inch of fiberglass. Worst part is getting the old stuff clean enough since common practice was a rough inner transom surface. Lots of sanding if left in the rough. I would want to firmly attach an aluminum shim, which I humbly consider would be harder to get flat and...
  10. Rick Stephens

    Mercruiser 4.3 water in block

    If I had to guess, the winterization was done poorly and the motor is freeze damaged. They really stated that the motor stops running because of water ingress? Wow, that takes a hole in the head or intake mani. As noted, without a pressure test of the cooling system it is all guess work. There...
  11. Rick Stephens

    Can the base of engine work? Two to bolts under engine are rusted and can

    yes
  12. Rick Stephens

    Can the base of engine work? Two to bolts under engine are rusted and can

    Bullet connectors. Push them back together.
  13. Rick Stephens

    Mercruiser 3.0 litre stalls at idle with new carburetor

    I think the service manual even tells how to do a compression check.
  14. Rick Stephens

    Mercruiser 3.0 litre stalls at idle with new carburetor

    Scott gave you a good list. My first thought reading your post was that you need to set idle mixture and idle speed. Those are done together. The Mercruiser Service Manual is a most necessary tool to own if you are going to work on your own Merc IO. Absolute must. It has step by step procedure...
  15. Rick Stephens

    Alpha lower unit crack in strange place?

    Shift shaft in there.... isn't that a sealed off space with earl in it?
  16. Rick Stephens

    Gimbal bearing.

    Chinesium copies. You get what you pay for. No one is going to tell you how wonderful aftermarket chinese rubber is, whether it is Sierra, SEI or one of the other sorta nameless brands. You just gotta jump one way or the other. Pick your poison.
  17. Rick Stephens

    Testing Resealed Alpha 1 Gen 2

    Clunking or clattering says something is loose. If was me, I'd split the cases again and check the upper for something wrong in the gear fit. I had one of the Gen 2 uppers that I resealed. Takes the rolling torque to reassemble. After running for a few minutes that fit was loose and rattling. I...
  18. Rick Stephens

    Testing Resealed Alpha 1 Gen 2

    Once in gear should not hear anything but a soft whir, at most. No clunking.
  19. Rick Stephens

    Pasty oil coming out the valve covers

    Can't believe you tore your motor down to get us that picture. Damn nice of you. 😝
  20. Rick Stephens

    Gimbal bearing.

    I'm on six years for my OEM Gen 2 impeller. No fuss so far.
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