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  1. Grant Brown

    What I/O combination sounds best?

    I like the sound my Merc 165 pre-alpha made. I also like a big block jet with dry stacks (but not when I'm trying to sleep). :)
  2. Grant Brown

    Weight of 4.3 vs 3.0l?

    I have a 1993 Spectrum 1956 Aluminum open bow. The boat has an optional 4.3l Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2. The factory sales brochure that I have states the weight of the boat with a 3.0l Merc at 1275 pounds. How much more does the 4.3 configuration weigh? Grant
  3. Grant Brown

    Paint for Axle and Springs?

    I'm putting new rollers/winch etc on my old galvanized trailer. I use the boat almost exclusively in salt water and as a result the painted axle and springs are covered in rust. I'm looking for some sort of product similar to POR15 that would help inhibit the rust and keep it at bay for a little...
  4. Grant Brown

    How to use Bennett Tabs?

    I have a 20 foot Spectrum Aluminum open bow deep v. It weighs about 1500lb and has a 4.3l mercruiser I/O. It has Bennett Trim Tabs and I'm having trouble adjusting them. They seem counter intuitive like they're hooked up wrong. When I want the port side down, the starboard side goes down etc...
  5. Grant Brown

    Mon Kota Endura 30 - Salt Water Use?

    I was given a Mon Kota Endura 30 electric motor. I don't know anything about these and have zero experience. I was wondering if running in salt water would kill it. My wife/kids hate the noise/smell of my 2 smoke kicker. I already have a deep cycle battery on the boat. I sometimes troll for...
  6. Grant Brown

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 throttle adjustment?

    Had the boat out today and I've been noticing the throttle is very sensitive. It seems like there is no sensitivity at low throttle. For example, when maneuvering around other boats at a narrow boat launch. If I need to make a quick adjustment, it is very easy to really "goose it" and get myself...
  7. Grant Brown

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 Trolling?

    Does trolling at 2-3 mph for extended periods of time damage the drive in any way? I have a 1993 4.3L Alpha 1 Gen 2. Runs good, idles right down and with the trim tabs full down I can maintain a pretty good trolling speed. It would be nice to use the big motor instead of the 2-smoker kicker I...
  8. Grant Brown

    Hooking up DSC?

    I have a Garmin 276c Chartplotter and a Uniden Solara DSC VHF. They are both installed but not connected to each other. I can't find my manuals for either device. Is connecting them for DSC is just a matter of joining the color coded wires? Thanks Grant, Vancouver, BC
  9. Grant Brown

    Photos - Pedestal Seats to Sleeper Style?

    I have a 1993 20 foot spectrum I/O. It is supposed to have 4 pedestal seats in it but I only have 2 of the pedestals and 4 seats. I'm looking at about 30-$40 each for the pedestals if I can find them (no luck so far). Could I convert the 2 extra seats to a sleeper seat on the passenger side...
  10. Grant Brown

    Spark Plug Gap 1993 4.3 Alpha 1 Gen 2

    I changed the plugs on my boat today because I was having some hard starting issues. When it was cold it would take all kinds of cranking, and several random pumps of the throttle to get it running. After I replaced the plugs (gap at 0.035"), it started on the first click dead cold and idled...
  11. Grant Brown

    Testing for a short through hull?

    Is there any way to test to see if my hull is grounded? My 19.5 foot Spectrum has a significant amount of corrosion. I am concerned that the battery might be grounded somewhere or possibly a short. The wiring harness was hacked up pretty good by the previous owner (splices and taps everywhere...
  12. Grant Brown

    4.3 Alpha 1 Gen 2 - Ebay Manifold/Riser Kits?

    Where is the best place to buy an aftermarket manifold and riser kit? I found this one on Ebay but was wondering if there's a better place (Iboats doesn't seem ot have a kit). The riser gaskets were leaking out onto the manifolds so I replaced them last weekend and the risers were looking...
  13. Grant Brown

    Bennett Trim Tabs - Does this look right?

    I have a new to me 19.5 foot Aluminum with a 4.3 l merc. It has Bennett Trim tabs which were leaking and I just got working again. The first 2 pics show the tabs at their full bow down setting. Seems like they ought to go lower but apparently the actuator is at the recommended travel of about...
  14. Grant Brown

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 Water Leak?

    Is water supposed to come out the hole in this pic? I just rebuilt the water pump and It appears to be flowing out there pretty good on muffs. I also think there might be a slight trace of oil in the water but it might be just washing out of somewhere.
  15. Grant Brown

    Bennet Trim Tabs Fluid Capacity?

    Bennett Trim Tabs Fluid Capacity? I have them on my 20 aluminum and the reservoir is empty. The pump works and I want to find out where the thing is leaking from. Grant Brown Vancouver, BC
  16. Grant Brown

    Height of kicker bracket?

    How high should I mount the kicker bracket on my 20' aluminum? Also, what side do most guys put them on? My batteries are on the port side and if I put the kicker & gas tank there to the boat will likely be unbalanced. Grant Vancouver, BC
  17. Grant Brown

    Perko Switch Wiring

    I have a 20 foot Aluminum with a 4.3l Merc stern drive i/o. I am redoing the wiring for the electrical accessories as everything was messed with by a previous owner. The boat has a perko battery switch in it but I'm not sure how to hook everything up. Does anyone have a schematic showing how...
  18. Grant Brown

    Riser to Manifold Leak 4.3 Alpha1 Gen2

    I took my new to me 1993 4.3 Alpha1 G2 out for a good run yesterday. When I got home and was cleaning up, I noticed that there was evidence of salt water leaking from the joints where the risers attach to the manifolds. There was white salt residue that was obviously dried sea water on the...
  19. Grant Brown

    No Start - 4.3 Alpha 1 Gen 2

    History: Purchased just before Christmas last year. I bought it the day a major winter storm hit our area. It wasn't winterized at the time I bought it. It ran good the day I got it. I ran it around the bay a bit, brought it home and drained the block and manifolds in the snow storm at 10:00 pm...
  20. Grant Brown

    Quick Block/Manifold Drain?

    A lot of local guys I talk to run their trailered I/O's all winter (so they can go winter Chinook salmon fishing). Winter is short here but it gets down to -15 C or so on occasion. I was told that to keep going out all winter they do a "quick drain" while at the ramp after each trip. This...
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