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    '95 Twin Johnson 175's

    Air can leak into the gasoline line, even though gasoline doesn't leak out. I would look for an air leak at the main strainer under the airbox, followed by any filters and metal fittings on the gas line. The main strainer has an oring plus a gasket. make sure both seal. Another potential...
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    '95 Twin Johnson 175's

    Is the port engine smoking more than the stb? The OMS pump on those motors will mix more oil if there is an air leak in the gasoline line. Are all the port spark plugs the same color as the stb ones? If not the carbs may need attention.
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    1984 Mercury Trim Question

    The trim brackets should be bolted to the transom clamp, so the engine and trim cylinders can come off as a unit. However, that requires that you unbolt the hydraulic lines. You would need to bleed them upon reinstall. The threads where the hydraulic lines connect to the trim cylinders strip...
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    1984 Mercury Trim Question

    The advantage of those trim systems, is that there is no limit to which you can trim them under full throttle. Newer units have a hard limit for trim. However, you need to be careful that you do not trim them where the water inlet sucks air. usually the prop will ventilate before that...
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    Installing new decking question

    Carpet over enamel (or any paint) will rot the deck out in short order. What size boat requires 10 gallons of poly resin to seal a deck? I needed almost 1 gal to do my 16 footer. My 21 footer would need maybe 2 gal.
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    Sierra Upper mounts

    I actually had the opposite fear. The OEM has aluminum bands and insert, that the Sierra did not. I was afraid the rubber only mount would be weak. So far my fears are unfounded. The rubber only mount may not last the 25 years that the OEM mount did, but that's OK. Actually the OEM mount did...
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    1988 Bayliner Capri No Spark

    This is really an engine question. You should post it in the Force motor forum.
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    1997 Maxum Bowrider I/O V8 want to replace carpet with fishing friendly alternative

    There is textured marine vinyl flooring available. Even Westmarine sells it. You stick it down with glue. I had a boat with it from the factory. It was very wear-resistant.
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    Installing new decking question

    A fiberglass coating, plus cloth on the decking is much more durable than paint. Most decking is 1/2 plywood. Why are you using 3/4" plywood? I like to use pressure treated plywood that has been dried. Also, polyester resin and medium mat is just fine for sealing the decking. As the home...
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    Sierra Upper mounts

    My Sierra mounts were solid rubber. They took some searching on the internet to find them. It looked like e-Bay and Amazon only had 1 between them. I found them at some less popular website. If yours are solid vinyl, they might be OK.
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    Bottom paint over topside paint

    A boat can stay in water for a week without antifouling paint. After that she will start to get some moss/grass/slime buildup. In your case, I would not bother with antifouling paint. You can use topside paint on the entire hull, if you like. Topside paint will not blister until about 72+...
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    merc key switch wiring

    That old 35HP motor should have a telltale very soon after starting it on a flusher, as it likely has no thermostat. That newer motor may need for the thermostat to open before you have a telltale. You might research to see if that is accurate.
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    How to Remove Several Coats of Bottom Paint?

    Gel coats on boats are either porous or waterproof. The stripper you use has no effect. If you don't know if your gelcoat is waterproof, barrier coat it.
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    97 johnson 150hp

    Is that a 60* V6 motor? If so, they are very good.
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    How to Remove Several Coats of Bottom Paint?

    I have had the same experience as Fun. A 36 grit grinding wheel on a grinder on a windy day works, but you can easily gouge the hull. If you gouge the hull, make sure to seal it with epoxy barrier paint.
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    merc key switch wiring

    It sounds like you have the old wire colors. maybe your motor is older than 1979. Choke wire is grey. You should see white wire to one side of choke button for ignition power, and grey on the other side of choke button. White is ignition power, red is battery, yellow is starter solenoid...
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    Upgrade Steering On 16ft Bayliner

    Disconnect the steering rod from the motor. Extend the rod as much as possible. Wipe it with a solvent until clean. Now grease it and turn the steering back, lock to lock, and forth several time. Now repeat the clean and grease and exercise procedure more times, until steering is light.
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    Sierra Upper mounts

    I used them in my Merc V6. The originals had an aluminum band around the middle. The Sierra mounts are all rubber, but fit perfectly. I had trouble finding them. They seemed to be in short supply. Replacement Merc OEM mounts were twice the price or more.
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    Restoring a 1978 Mercury 900 90hp "Tower of Power" Need Help!

    That is not a 1978. It is a late model 1979 or newer, as distributors were phased out on the IL6 in early 1979. Jumper the starter to turn the engine over and test the compression. All cylinders should be within 15% of each other. if that checks out, check for spark. You can turn the...
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    150 XR2 Black Max Control Box (1985)

    The shift mechanicals for Merc were the same from the 70s to the 90s, and likely beyond. The wiring was pretty much the same for most Mercs from the 70s to the 90s. The motor plugs changed, a couple of times. If you want plug and play, you will need to find a control and harness that is...
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