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  1. eavega

    Installing Temp Sender 3.0L Mercruiser

    Hey folks I was trying to diagnose a problem on my 88 Stingray (3.0 L mercruiser) with the water temperature gauge not working. I verified the gauge was working, the sending wire was not shorted anywhere, and finally verified the temp sender was functioning. I think I may have solved the...
  2. eavega

    Picture perfect day on the lake!!

    Just wanted to share my new-to-me boat experience with folks who can appreciate it. Yesterday was "splash day" for my new-to-me 1988 Stingray 176 SVB. This was the first time I had ever bought a boat that was water-ready on the day I bought it. The only thing wrong was that the bilge pump was...
  3. eavega

    Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

    So, my new-to-me 1988 Stingray 176 SVB came with an unwanted "extra"; about 10 gallons of fuel. Per the previous owner, he had filled the tank with non-ethanol gas at the beginning of the season in mid-March or so. He topped off the tank with 6 gallons of 93 Octane 10% ethanol gas just after...
  4. eavega

    Seat bottom options, need opinions

    I recently acquired a 1988 Stingray Bowrider that was in pristine shape, except for the bow seats. Seems that there are two small drain holes in the bow for any water that would collect there, but they became plugged up and the moisture remained trapped between the seat and the fiberglass...
  5. eavega

    First I/O boat! Think I got a deal...

    So after a lot of CL browsing, and hand wringing about how small underpowered, and outdated my current boat is (see signature), I pulled the trigger on what I think is a real find. Introducing my "new to my family" 1988 Stingray 176 SVB. Boat has a Mercruiser 3.0L (130 HP, I think) with an...
  6. eavega

    Mercruiser 470 3" vs 4" Heat Exchanger

    So, I am looking at a boat that has the dreaded Mercruiser 470 170 HP motor. I keep reading that the main problems it has is the stator/rectifier which is resolved with adding a real alternator, potential coolant leak necessitating re-sleeving and re-sealing camshaft, and possible overheats...
  7. eavega

    Looking at a Stingray boat, wanted some clarification

    Hi All I am on a quest to find an "upgrade" to my Yarcraft. A boat has come up that I want to check out, but its a long drive away and I wanted to go armed with as much information as possible. I am looking at a 1984 Stingray SS 17' bowrider with a 170 HP V6. I looked on the stingray site...
  8. eavega

    Need advice on purchase, not a lot of info

    Hi All. I've finally convinced my wife that we need to upgrade to a bigger boat in order to get a little more enjoyment out of our time on the lake. To that end, I have been trolling Craigslist for a 19' or under v-hull bowrider to replace my currently running 15' tri-hull. I'm really in no...
  9. eavega

    Ugh, just learned one MORE thing you have to consider when finding a prop

    So, I have a 19P stainless steel prop on my 70 HP Johnson, and it has been moving my boat at a barely satisfactory motor speed of 5000 RPM at WOT. It does move my 15' trihull at an acceptable 32 MPH. I have been wanting to try a 17P SS to see if I can get that extra ~400 RPM to my engine...
  10. eavega

    1976 Johnson 70 HP idles high. adjust, or justleave it alone? **UPDATE**

    Hi all So far I have had a month and a half of trouble-free boating. I had a little problem starting the motor this weekend on the last move of the day from the courtesy dock to the trailer (wouldn't start on its normal first or second bump of the key. Took about three ten-second cranks to...
  11. eavega

    Painting before installing Keel Guard

    Hey folks So, I have been doing some repair work on the underside of my little 15' tri-hull. Specifically, I was reparing some gouges and chips in the keel where I sustained some wear and tear damage over last season from beaching the boat. One of the uses I never envisioned with my boat was...
  12. eavega

    Need a new ignition switch, are there any alternatives to the OEM?

    I have a 1976 70 HP Johnson with its matching single-lever control. I just recently read a thread where Joe Reeves mentioned that if you have any voltage at all coming on the yellow-black wire into the powerpack when the key is in the run position, you may have a bad switch which can kill the...
  13. eavega

    Can anyone confirm the right tach settings for a 1976 70 HP Johnson

    Hey folks. Boating season is upon us in the South. I took my boat out on the lake for a shake-down and water test after having installed a new power pack at the end of last season. Everything worked great, except the tach was reading very high (but consistent i.e. the gauge responded...
  14. eavega

    Restoring and repair - on a camper

    So, I have a new winter project this year. I was given a 1986 Starcraft Nova popup camper by a friend of mine. He used to enjoy it a lot with his family, but his kids have gotten older and don't have time or desire to go camping any more. He wanted to pass it on to a family that would get...
  15. eavega

    Ignition components test, who is right?

    Hello folks. I am trying to correctly diagnose a loss of spark on all three cylinders on my 1976 70 HP Johnson. I have three references for the various tests; OEM manual, CDI Troubleshooting guide, and Clymer manual. All three have similar but not equal thresholds for "Good" vs "Bad" with...
  16. eavega

    76 Johnson 70 HP - Lost all spark

    Hello Folks My 70EL76D motor has developed a new problem. I have completely lost spark on all three cylinders. I was out fishing yesterday and actually impressed at how well the motor was performing (seems to like to run in colder water). We hit three fishing holes, plus having to do a couple...
  17. eavega

    2004 Mercury 115 ELPT Lower Unit Removal

    Need some words of advice and/or encouragement. I am pretty familiar with Johnson/Evinrudes, but now am helping out a friend with the above motor. We are trying to get the Lower Unit off so we can change out the clutch dog. I've removed the four nuts under the anti-cav plate, and the one lock...
  18. eavega

    Using a float charger/tender

    Hey folks I've had some battles with my HOA this year regarding the storage of my boat in the back yard, and for the time being am keeping my boat in the garage. When I kept it outside, I would remove the battery after every outing and store said battery in the garage. I would then put the...
  19. eavega

    New to Mercury Outboards, need to do some trobleshooting on a 2004 115 HP.

    Hello All I have tooled around these forums for a few years now, but have only ever wrenched on Johnson/Evinrude motors. I have just recently acquired a 2004 Mercury 115 HP outboard, model 115ELPT4S, and was hoping for a little guidance. The motor starts and idles great. The problem is at...
  20. eavega

    Nothing but boating!

    So, after chasing down an acceleration problem, I think my 1976 YarCraft/Johnson 70 HP setup and I have finally come to an understanding; I don't treat it like a brand-new powerboat, and she will make sure the family and I have a good time. Here are pictures of our outing this weekend where we...
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