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    Modifications/equipment changes required to repower from '95 Force 120 to '76 Mercury 1500

    I had that 1500 Merc, so I am familiar with it. The Force, not so much. The Merc will have a power trim pump that mounts in the boat. 4 hydraulic hoses will need to be run to the trim cylinders mounted outboard of the transom bracket. There is a 4 wire trim harness that runs to the dashboard...
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    Grounding your Fuel Tank and Fuel Fill

    If you put the positive lead on a voltmeter on the battery positive, and the negative lead on the fuel tank, and get a 12VDC reading, the tank is grounded somewhere.
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    Inside prop damage

    There is supposed to be a brass hub that is splined to the propshaft. Maybe it is still on the propshaft? Hopefully it will come off peaceably. Props are made up of 3 main pieces. A brass hub which is splined to fit the propshaft, the shell of the prop which has the exhaust hub and blades...
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    Safe to tow with bow not resting on front roller?

    First see where the transom rests on the rollers. Perhaps the boat was not winched up all the way. You want the rear rollers to be near or at the transom, but, if the rollers pass the transom, the boat will fall onto the trailer frame which is bad. When the rear rollers are in their proper...
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    1978 Mercury Black Max V1500, Surging at high throttle.

    Did you perform link and synch on that motor after replacing the ign components? If not you need to do so.
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    Grounding your Fuel Tank and Fuel Fill

    A ground on the sender is necessary for the fuel level sensor to operate. Perhaps the fuel gauge is grounded and that ground is connected to the tank somewhere.
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    Starting mercruiser 350 after boat almost sinks

    The thunderbolt ignition should be potted and waterproof. The distributor (if you have one) needs to be dried out. Wiping it dry is probably fine. Turning the motor over with the plugs out is a good idea, as it will blow out any water. Also, add some oil to the cylinders and turn it over to...
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    1986 90HP Crossflow Johnson - RPMs increase at WOT when steering

    Turns at high speed tend to cause the prop to ventilate. Some props ventilate more than others. I suspect that when you changed props, the new prop ventilates a bit more than the old prop.
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    Starting mercruiser 350 after boat almost sinks

    If freshwater, take the starter and alternator off and when wifey isn't looking, put them in the oven at 250*F. Bake them for an hour or so to dry them. They can survive.
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    Outboard Lock Recommendations?

    Why would someone steal a 40+ year old motor? What's it worth fenced, scrap value maybe? There has got to be something better to steal. Your prop is likely worth as much as the motor. In the 70's Mercury did make antitheft nuts for the transom bolts. If you can find them on flea bay, the...
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    1993 Johnson 115hp prop for sking

    Well, the Monte Carlo method of prop selection does occasionally work.
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    Mercury 850 Thunderbolt 85 hp 2 stroke leaks gas out top carburetor before and after carburetor rebuilds.

    That motor sounds like an older (70's) one. The float must be replaced with a hard plastic one. The original ones were foam and would dissolve. Also, the all carb gaskets, inlet needle and seat must be replaced. Some inlet needle seats need the copper gasket, some don't. Install it and see...
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    troubleshoot Tachometer

    Most tachometers will "zero", when power is applied, engine off. If yours used to do this, and doesn't now, check the + (purple wire) and - (black wire) for proper voltage. If the voltage is good, it is likely the tach is bad. You should use an ohmmeter to test the signal wire to the engine...
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    Leak from garboard plug

    If your plug is leaking, you can tighten it, with a simple swim. They are tapered, so a tightening job should stop plug leak. For the fitting leak, Westmarine used to sell a caulk that could be used underwater. I bought some, but never tried it. You would need to smear it over the leaking...
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    Boat Swamped in Storm - Next steps?

    When the batteries fail, replace them. They are probably OK for now, as you are supposed to put fresh water in them occasionally. Hopefully the vents are small and kept the acid in.
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    1993 Johnson 115hp prop for sking

    Stone knives and bearskins.
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    1993 Johnson 115hp prop for sking

    You will want to pull him Slalom at 36MPH. Obviously the prop with the most power for skiing will run 36MPH in the center of the max RPM range. What is your max RPM and top speed now, when not pulling a skier
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    Mercury 850 took the leg off 1976 thunder bolt

    Gee, we had 100*F here yesterday. I don't like either of those temps...
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    Near new old 1996 Mercury 115

    Gee, there must have been 2 suckers born that minute.
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    Broken Rod End

    I have never seen that much corrosion, even in salt water. Did he ever hose her off after use? I would replace the whole system, helm to motor.
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