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  1. Grant Brown

    Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

    What is the difference between a Mercruiser 4.3l marine starter and a 4.3l automotive starter? I know that the marine unit has some sort of spark arrestor. Can I take the marine parts and put them on an automotive unit? Locally a reman marine starter is about $260 and I can get a reman auto...
  2. Grant Brown

    What's wrong with this picture?

    1993 4.3 Merc Alpha 1 Gen II. Tilt trim unit very corroded and not working. The pump works up and down when using a jumper from the power wire. The down switch gets power to the solenoid and it clicks. The up switch does nothing (no power no click). The trailer button gets power to and clicks...
  3. Grant Brown

    Broken Brass Drain Plug on Riser

    1993 4.3 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen II. When I was winterizing it (10:00 pm the night I bought it in 5 degree temps and snowing), I broke off the port side brass drain plug in the manifold riser. The threaded portion is still stuck in the riser. 1) How do I get it out? I was thinking of heating...
  4. Grant Brown

    Pedistal Seat Size?

    I'm trying to find a pedestal for my 1993 Bluefin Spectrum 1956. Is there a standard size for the fitting where the pedestal fits into the floor? The pedestals I have look like the ones in this picture I found on ebay: http://i3.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/2c/fc/a93d_1.JPG Is there more than one size...
  5. Grant Brown

    How long Trailer?

    I just bought a 1993 Bluefin Spectrum welded aluminum model #1956 with a 4.3 liter Mercuiser stern drive. It is about 19.5 feet long plus the leg. When I bought it I had to use a trailer from a 17 foot fiberglass boat that is too short. The balance point is way too far back and the bow is too...
  6. Grant Brown

    Alpha 1 Tilt Trim Solenoid?

    Mercuriser Alpha 1 gen 2 w 4.3. I bought this boat in December and when I bought it we had to run a jumper from + battery terminal to the power terminals on the trim pump. I haven't had a chance to it out yet but I thought I'd ask the experts here at iboats for an opinion before I do go at it...
  7. Grant Brown

    Garmin 276C Maps?

    I just bought a lightly used Garmin 276C and updated the firmware (GPS' internal software) and it works great. Unfortunately the base map has no details at all and is almost useless for marine navigating. I have been told to invest in Bluecharts for my area (Vancouver BC and Coast). They look...
  8. Grant Brown

    Alpha 1 ID?

    How do I know which outdrive I have on my boat? I recently bought a 1993 Bluefin Spectrum 19.5 foot with a 4.3 and a Mercuriser Alpha 1. I have heard of early and late Alpha 1 drives, how do I know which one I have? Grant
  9. Grant Brown

    Start or Not?

    I am seriously considering buying a boat next week. It is a very good price and he says he'd be happy to run it on the lake for a serious buyer. The problem is that it will be pretty cold here in the PNW for the next week or so - somewhere near freezing. I'd hate to run it and then freeze the...
  10. Grant Brown

    Weight of 19 foot 4.3 I/O Aluminum?

    I am buying a 1993 - 19 foot Spectrum Aluminum open bow with a 4.3 Mercruiser next week. I currently have a 1972 - 17 foot Glastron with a Mercury 70hp outboard. I wonder how they compare in weight. Thanks, Grant
  11. Grant Brown

    Trickle Charging 2 Batts over winter?

    My 2 starting batteries are out of the boat and in the garage for the winter. I don't want to kill them by letting them discharge. Could I connect them in parallel and just leave them on my 2 amp (full manual) charger? How long could I safely charge like that? How often would I need to top up...
  12. Grant Brown

    Spectrum Boats?

    I'm looking at a 1991 17.5 foot Spectrum Aluminum. Needs motor work but the rest of it looks pretty good. The company doesn't seem to be around any more. Does anyone have an opinion on them? Quality? Performance? Hull design in rough water? Anything would be appreciated. Grant
  13. Grant Brown

    Merc 4.5 Hp kicker no start

    I was out on the water the last 2 days and wanted to spend some time trolling for salmon. The kicker wouldn't start. It usually goes on the first pull. Here's my starting procedure: Lower the motor from tilt, prime bulb 2-3 times, full choke, throttle on start, pull cord. It almost seems like...
  14. Grant Brown

    Fuse in Bilge Circuit?

    I have a 1972 Glastron with a 1987 Merc 70. I have been cleaning up the wiring and found an in line automotive fuse in the bilge circuit. I am wondering if it's even necessary. I taped it up good but since I run in salt all the time it looks like a real strong potential for corrosion. I am...
  15. Grant Brown

    4.5 hp Impeller reassembly

    I'm finally getting back to the impeller replacement on my 4.5 hp S/N 7216798. It's been so long since I started that I can't remember how it came apart (I must have too many projects). I have the impeller in the housing, the keyway is all lined up, and all parts accounted for except I can't...
  16. Grant Brown

    Eagle Fisheasy II Hard Mount

    I have an eagle Fisheasy II with grey connectors. It is the type that uses 8 - "D" size flashlight batteries and can be moved from boat to boat. I have it installed semi permanently in my runabout (the transducer is already hard mounted) so I have no need for it to be portable. I would like to...
  17. Grant Brown

    Merc 4.5 - Impeller stuck on shaft

    1984 S/N 7216798. The water pump impeller is stuck on the drive shaft. It is totally shot and all the fins are gone. What's left is stuck on the drive shaft and won't slide up. I was told to cut away all the rubber then use a sharp chisel to split the brass hub at the keyway. Any comments from...
  18. Grant Brown

    Merc 4.5 L/U 2 questions - PICS

    1984 S/N 7216798. I need to replace the water pump impeller. I am having trouble getting the lower unit off. I have loosened the 9/16" nut off the leading edge and removed the 1/2" nut off the underside of the cav plate. Feels like it's hanging up on something or I missed a fastener. The l/u is...
  19. Grant Brown

    3 wire to 2 wire tilt/trim?

    1987 70 hp 3 cyl. S/N 0A739874. 3 wire, square body, 3 ram, side fill tilt/trim unit. I found a very good deal on a 1997 2 wire, round body rear fill unit replace my 3 wire. Everything looks like it will fit, but how do I rewire the electric motor? 3 wire - Blue is up, green is down and the...
  20. Grant Brown

    Merc 70 tilt/trim unit - rebuild or replace? PICS

    I've been working on my Merc 70 tilt/trim unit. I got the thing apart this afternoon and it is full of salt water. Looks like the O-rings on the bottom of the armature plate leaked and it got into everything. The armature is seized in the motor housing and the oil came out dirty and stank like a...
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