I anchor in the river during tide change. With the proper scope and proper anchor, you won't move. You only need a 13# danforth anchor and appropriate chain. You do not need 40# of anchor
Welcome to mid 80s mercury outboards. The wiring insulation started to fall apart after 15 years
New wire harness, and if you can use heat shrink to try to save the stator.
I would upgrade to vortec heads unless you can find a marine manifold from edelbrock for the early heads. Edelbrock has dual alloy marine manifolds with naval bronze water passages and the rest is aluminum.
dont do this.
besides adding hundreds to thousands of pounds of weight, you will fill your starter up with water and get water in areas that should never get water.
I would have gone with stainless grab handles.
However since you have the aluminum. coat the bolts with Permatex aviation sealant when you install them. it will act as a sealant, a corrosion barrier, a galvanic barrier and anti-seize all in one application.
shut off the air source and see how long it holds 15 psi. should be forever.
additionally, it looks like there is a fair amount of rust on the cylinder heads. the water could be running down the exhaust manifolds onto the heads and pooling at the deck where you see the orange rust (vs the...
generic light socket. look at attwood
you would have to post a picture of the double spade connector. no clue without a visual. my guess an outrigger / downrigger socket. look at Scotty brand
the top is most likely great lakes boat top or westland (their mexican operation)
the plastic...
