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  1. ratdude747

    Did I use the wrong impeller kit? 😡

    I'll third this... Based on a recent bad experience with poor muff operation and too many RPMs. Sure, I'm on a much older Mercruiser, but the same lesson applies. I had been been using the OP's style muff, but I ended up using a different style muff (the latest Mercruiser style with the skewer...
  2. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    After some thought, I'm going to get the "right" bushings... and call these bushings a fail. I am finding they aren't that expensive after all...
  3. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    Parts came in today. Installing the new bushings was a royal pain. Seems the threaded ends of the shafts were just a touch too short. Had to use friction clamps to get the outdrive ends on. Yet, it seems automotive polyurethane mY be too soft... As with just enough stud threaded to fully pass...
  4. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    Parts came in... and they don't fit. Exploded view I used is wrong? Bushings are too big. But, having taken some measurements, apparently there are cheap yet good polyurethane shock bushings out there that are the same dimensions...
  5. ratdude747

    Mercruiser 69729 Alternator (888, etc.) Rebuild notes and info

    A bit belated, but it did great on the muff test. Getting 13.1-13.5 at the GPS Speedometer when idling 700-850 RPM. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/1976-888-fuel-questions.772360/page-4#post-5924250 Initial idle was lower due to cold start and this alternator providing enough load to...
  6. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    Appears the vertical play is a rotten trim cylinder bushing Oddly, it's the only one with a rusty nut. Maybe where my cover drains? Either way, I should be good to just replace the bushings? Edit- that's not a stock nut and washer... Looks like an automotive bushing washer&nut. Though that...
  7. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Drilled holes. And despite having other things to do, I decided to give it a try. I'm actually testing it now... But here's what I have so far: Idle is way down... Due to a working alternator! Had to adjust the throttle screw to get it to 700-850 (700 cold, 800-850 warm). We do have water...
  8. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    I didn't see any instructions in the package... But if that's a safe move, not a problem.
  9. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    From what I could tell, most/all of the up/down slop was in the side pins. But I will recheck after work...
  10. ratdude747

    HOA rules say, no boats visible from the street,....

    Why I refuse to live in a HOA neighborhood. Dealing with nonsense city rules is bad enough... Thankfully, no issues with having a boat in the front yard (it has to go there at the moment for muff water access reasons)
  11. ratdude747

    Mercruiser 69729 Alternator (888, etc.) Rebuild notes and info

    Been rebuilding the alternator out of my 1976 Mercruiser 888 (302) and wanted to note some findings and info that don't seem to be on the forum already. Also, I noticed that another member with the same engine may be having an alternator issue, so I figured I better get the info out there. This...
  12. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    While putting my outdrive back together (impeller replacement) I noticed some steering/trim play: It's a 1976 Mercruiser 888 (MC-1). This is a project boat that I haven't had on the water yet, so I can't comment on steering performance (it's a standard cable setup, no power assist or...
  13. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Parts came in! Good news: I was able to rebuild the impeller (blades aren't facing the same way, but I read that will correct itself on first start as long as I get it on muffs and started soon ;)). After a lot of fighting and cursing (shaft rotation issues) my wife and I were able to get the...
  14. ratdude747

    Newbie question: how do boating fees work at IN state parks?

    To answer the question, turns out I do still have boating coworkers... just need to pay admission and have the lake permit. Not sure if season passes work, but that's a later problem. Beyond initial boat testing I don't know where I'll be boating (river, lake, both???).
  15. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    To put a close on the alternator tangent: Rebuild hit a snag, which lead down a rabbit hole that ultimatly has me convinced that it was actually working fine. As it turns out, the voltage regulator is a custom part. It has an extra stud drilled and epoxied which works with a jumper on the...
  16. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Which is what I figured. West Marine doesn't sell the lower piece, so had I talked it all apart first I would have known to stay home and order both online. But, I also wouldn't have made it to North Indy by 5, hence my haste in going up there ASAP. Good story and excuse to get Skyline Chili...
  17. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Will look. Yes, there is a plastic water pocket upon review of the best exploded views I can find. In the mean time, I did ebay an NOS OEM lower impeller housing. Wasn't worth today's drive since I'll have to cover up the exposed outdrive areas anyway... Edit- water pocket looks fine.
  18. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Game over. After a 5 hour round trip I made it back with the mercruiser kit... Only to find the shaft and lower housing are also trashed. Had to do a lot of filling on the shaft die to impeller can material being friction welded to the shaft: And the lower housing is melted... The shaft...
  19. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Outer tube not looking too good. Inner tube still in upper outdrive and looks ok. Edit: should have bought another housing kit. Housing is melted. So much so the impeller is stuck on the shaft.
  20. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    FYI: Removed and tore down the alternator... some signs of corrosion in the rectifier and bearings have seen better days. Rebuilding it, as it's a Delco Remy 10si with some marine additions, none of which affect the rebuild parts (other than a jumper on the 2-wire plug, which I can remake if I...
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