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  1. M

    Kill switch install Merc 800 80HP

    Finally getting around to wiring up the boat and want to add a kill switch. Bought a generic panel mount kill switch with four terminals. Two are marked MAG and the other two I think are marked COIL. Don't have it with me right now to check. Which two terminals do I use and where do I connect...
  2. M

    Help cutting carpet to fit compound curves

    In the process of installing carpet in my 16ft fiberglass Wilker. The floor is a bullet shape and flat, and the gunnels roll up about 8" to ledges that runs full length of the passenger compartment. Above these ledges are an additional 16" of gunnel. This part is carpeted with a separate piece...
  3. M

    Transom clamps AND bolts or just bolts ?

    Have a 1971 Merc 800 80hp that will soon be installed on a refurbished 1970 Wilker fiberglass deep V hull. The motor has two transom clamps (like you would see on smaller tiller motors) and provision for four bolts. In addition, I have added PTT to the motor, and the PTT brackets have their own...
  4. M

    Acrylic polish for windshields

    Have an older acrylic windshield that has an overall haze to it. Like looking through a fog. Suspect its the result of years of cleaning. Have heard of various plastic polishes that make a lot of claims, but do they really work? Hoping to hear from members here that have used actual products...
  5. M

    Temp gauge and sender for Merc 800 80hp

    Have a 1971 Merc 800 80hp that I'm trying to install a temp gauge for. Having trouble finding a sending unit in a 1/8" pipe thread. Most seem to be 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" pipe. The other issue is that I have located a gauge that reads from 60-200 degrees which is ideal for these cool running...
  6. M

    Where can I fit transducer, pitot tube and speed wheel?

    Adding a fish finder to an older deep V fiberglass boat (Wilker). Have the transducer and a speed wheel (with temp sensor) for trolling along with the original pitot tube for the speedo. Any experience with how close I can install these parts to each other. Currently the pitot is about 18" to...
  7. M

    Need for blower on an outboard?

    In the process of setting up my first real boat. Its an older boat with an outboard but the hull, floor and transom are in fantastic condition. Redoing the complete interior, plus all new wiring, adding power trim and bilge pump as well. While installing the bilge pump a concern came to mind...
  8. M

    Color challenged. Please help with dash panel

    Refurbishing a 1970 fiberglass deep-V boat. Have laid out and fabricated a new dash panel from 1/8" aluminum. Added a tach, water pressure, water temp, and volt meter gauges, PTT controls, and kill switch. All gauges are black faced with white lettering. The PTT control is the old 3 button black...
  9. M

    1971 Merc 800 Temp and Pressure Gauge install

    Setting up this new to me boat and motor. Would like to connect both a water pressure gauge and water temperature gauge. The block has a plugged threaded port on the head located between cyl 2 and 3. Can I install a "T" in the head then install a temp sender unit on one side of the "T" and the...
  10. M

    Help with early 70's Merc 800 Lower unit choice

    Have three lower units for this motor, all of the same vintage. Two do not have the spring loaded pin on the end of the driveshaft and the third does have the spring loaded pin. Trying to select the BEST of the three units to install on the motor. All three units have clear clean lube oil and...
  11. M

    Older Power Trim control location. Where is yours?

    Installing an older power trim system with the separate 3 button control panel. Wondering what location is favored by others. Prior motors had the PTT controls as part of the control box. Not sure where I should best mount this separate panel. a) on the dash to the right of the steering wheel...
  12. M

    Drainage concern Merc 800 lower unit

    Have done recent routine maintenance on a 1971 vintage Merc 800 lower unit. In doing so I've noticed that water accumulates in a cavity forward of the shift shaft bushing assy. On newer motors, I've seen a small drain hole in this area to drain. Can't see one on this unit. Is this a concern...
  13. M

    How long before I see water at the telltale

    1971 Merc 800 80hp. No thermostat on these engines. When running on muffs, how long before I should see water at the tell tale? Fired up this new-to-me motor last week for the first time after doing alot of "refurbishing". Got it running very easy but had no water after about 30-40 seconds at...
  14. M

    Mods - what about a registered user buy/sell/trade forum

    Would be ideal for users to help each other out. There must be a vast collection of used and hard to find parts just looking for a new home. I know that here in Canada (Ontario at least) it is very difficult to locate used parts. Can't always afford new, and the environmentally friendly thing...
  15. M

    Merc 800 waterpump seal confusion

    What a can of worms. In the process of replacing the waterpump assy on a 1971 Merc 800. Removed the old assy after fighting with the impeller that was seized on the driveshaft. Replaced the lower pump driveshaft seals, O-ring, impeller and gasket. Bought new upper pump housing assy BUT, there...
  16. M

    Help please with shift shaft bushing removal

    !970 merc 800. Trying in vain to remove the shift shaft bushing. Have three lower units and was able to remove the bushings from two of the three with a homemade tool. Unfortunatley the driveshafts on those two units are corroded and pitted around the waterpump seals and I don't want to use...
  17. M

    Epoxy Floor Paint - Options ???

    Thought I'd throw this out there and see what comes back. Replacing 38 year old vinyl? flooring but want to steer away from carpet for a number of reasons. Have been searching for a paint of some sort but not had much luck. Want something very durable, gas and oil resistant and slip...
  18. M

    Merc 800 - Which lower unit to keep ???

    Currently have 3 lower units off early 70's 80hp Mercs. Is there any way of "testing" them to see which of the three are in the best condition, other than hooking them up to the motor and running them? Even that is a very subjective test. Thinking about the seals, bearings, gears etc etc. Any...
  19. M

    Proper trailer for the boat?

    Bought a used boat/motor/trailer package that I'm in the middle of refurbishing. Have some concerns about the trailer being suitable for the boat and am looking for some advice. Boat is a 1970 deep V 15 1/2ft fiberglass with closed bow. Measures 80" wide and 36" high at the stern. No idea of...
  20. M

    1971 Merc 800 - Run without control box ??

    Have the control box and harness assy out at a marine electric shop putting in new cabling. Want to try and fire up the motor this weekend but I don't have the control box. Can the motor be run SAFELY without the controls? Will it even start?
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