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  1. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    My thoughts exactly. May start at 1.5 because I'm told it likes fuel.
  2. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    While I was pulling the carb for a rebuild (story in another thread), I was able to get a better look at the front of the engine bay. Seems there is a section of what used to be wood exposed just below the end of the deck board below the gas tank... rotted away. See attached pictures- the void...
  3. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Got everything tore down and cleaned. Seems that idle mix screws were both bottomed out... weird. I'll have to see if there is a stock setting to try intially (for now, I have them set to 1 turn out). Also, the inlet screen was partially varnished over... and the choke heater air breather was...
  4. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Pulled the carb apart after finding that clean fuel going in was becoming yellow fuel dumping out... and that accelerator valve and primary jets are not flowing. I'll add pics later, but lots of dry deposits inside with a bit of rust on internal springs. Venturries are black as coal... yeah...
  5. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Last week, I got in contact with my best friend's dad who did a lot of the prior work on the boat (good, bad, and ugly). Per a long chat, I did find out exactly what happened regarding the deck/ski locker rot. Apparently, the previous owner had it at a boat shop for 3 weeks around 14 years...
  6. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    No cracks or leaks, but isn't hard as a rock either. If the fuel coming out was black (which the stuff that came out of the filter wasn't), I'd be worried about the hose coming apart internally. N That said, I since have found somebody who sells 3/8 A1-15 hose by the foot and will ship it (last...
  7. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Which is the other thing I'm figuring.
  8. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Some updates from this week: Got another gas can and drove the 30 mins to pick up the ethanol-free 90 octane. On the way there, found a place by the lake (Hardy Lake, IN) that also sells ethanol-free gas but thinking that it would more expensive continued the extra 7 minutes to the intended...
  9. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    FYI, per another thread, I got the gas tank pumped down finally. While doing so, I periodically checked the Gas gauge... totally works and is accurate enough.
  10. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Meant to post last night: Just got done pumping it out. Filled two 5 gallon cans to the brim, no more, no less. Wasn't able to get filler or vent hoses off. But there was a plug for a starboard-side dip tube that I was able to pull and use with a transfer pump. Not the most labor efficient...
  11. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    I'm pretty sure it calls for 88 minimum. I think it's the modern "american" AKI octane rating, not the old/non-american RON. Fuel system is a mix: Tank and tank hose are original, but seem to be in good shape. Filter housing removed for cleaning (and removal of bad filter). Rust seemed to be...
  12. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    I have a few questions about fuel selection/practice on my 1976 Mercruiser 888 The engine was designed for leaded fuel (per the tags) but also on one of the warning tags (either on the engine or taped the catalog, I can't remember which), they mentioned some exception or procedure for being...
  13. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    FYI, I completed the install and ignition refresh yesterday. Still having fuel issues but I was able to run off starting fluid. As for the plugs, the autolite plugs fit fine. The AC-Delco plug mentioned later crossreferences to a slightly different autolite plug (145)... slightly different...
  14. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    Already bought autolite 24's... Installing them now.
  15. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    Noted. If it matters, I have the stock distributor but I upgraded to Pertronix Ignitor and flamethower.
  16. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    Went to replace spark plugs in my 1976 mercruiser 888... And apparently I ordered the wrong plugs: The plugs I read were right are NGK A6FS. What came out is a much smaller motorcraft ARF52. The previous owner's mechanic (my best friend's dad) is a retired Ford tech... So finding car parts...
  17. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    LEDs for the gauges came in today. In addition, per some in-boat testing yesterday, I've found that ignition switch was toast (which per a teardown is only good for 10A?). Luckily, the local O'Reilly's had a dorman 30A switch stocked, which fit like a glove. This evening I went ahead and fully...
  18. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Noted. Any "good" reason to swap instead of sticking with plastic, since plastic was working? Other than that it seems that Comprop is no longer in business (DOH!). Piranha props any good? Yes, fresh water only (they used on a couple of northwestern IN lakes, I'd be using on a lake near me and...
  19. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Leaving the nav lights on the bow incandescent (replaced the bulb which was burnt out)... I'm only referring to the console panel indicator light (the light/label by the side of the nav light switch).
  20. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    All gauges and the rubber backing rings came in. Also took apart, de-corroded, and rebuilt the dimmer switch. Still waiting on LED bulbs for the gauges. Otherwise, it's done. Rubber rings worked perfectly and the tach fit like a glove. Pics: The only other issues are a crack in the...
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