Search results

  1. J

    Plastic under seat vinyl ?

    I'm reupholstering the interior on a pontoon I picked up. So far a few of the seat cushions had plastic under the original vinyl, and some didn't have anything between the foam and vinyl. What's the consensus on plastic under the vinyl between the foam? Does the plastic trap after and...
  2. J

    Sewing machine suggestions

    I picked up a new to me pontoon boat today and the interior needs aome areas reupholstered. Can anyone reccomend a budget sewing machine that is capable of doing marine vinyl? I checked my local craigslist for a used industrial machine without much luck. I found one, Yamata CM500. It appears...
  3. J

    Chasing vibration

    2003 Sea Ray 182 4.3 Merc #0M369570 Alpha 1 Gen 2 #0M449015 Boat is new to me this year, bought from original owner with low hours. Previous owner said only fluid changes have been done along with winterzations, fresh water only. Recently noticed a vibration either in gear or neutral with RPM...
  4. J

    No shoe rule on boat ?

    Ever since I was a kid it was taught early on that you never wear shoes on a boat to limit scuff marks on upholstery and dirt from coming on to the boat. Granted my current boat is a small 19' open bow I had a friend come out and wore water shoes with black rubber soles. I told him he was the...
  5. J

    Warning alarm issues

    I realized my warning alarm buzzer has not been going off recently when the key is turned to the on position. I found that alarm has no ground when then key is on, power but no ground. I disconnected the two wires that go to the drive lubr resivoir sensor and jumped them together, alarm...
  6. J

    Quality brand towable

    I'm looking to get a new tube as my older O'brien has given up the ghost when the carrier shredded apart last trip. I'm looking for a flat two person tube. I'm Looking at several brands and looking for what has been the most durable for others. So far Connelly and O'brien seem to have nice stuff.
  7. J

    Where does this wire go ?

    I was checking things over before we go out on our next trip and found this black wire with a a ring terminal end not connected to anything. It's by the distributor cap and appears to come from the near by wore harness. Black makes me think it's a ground wire? I'm not sure it has ever been...
  8. J

    Won't return to idle 4.3

    2003 Sea Ray 182 Engine serial # 0M369570 This boat is newer to me and recently noticed the idle was a tad high at 800rpm. I turned it down on the idle speed screw on the carb (I later read it's suppose to be locked into base timing mode to adjust idle speed? Doesn't make sense to me). Boat...
  9. J

    Best adhesive to use for interior trim

    A interior rubber "U" style trim is coming off the edge of the fiberglass. Looking for the best adhesive to put in the groove and reinstall.
  10. J

    3.0L pinging/detonation sound

    I'm helping a friend with a 99 Searay 180 with a 3.0L Mercrusier. Here is some background on the situation: He bought the boat knowing it had not been used in two years, and had not been winterized since last used. The block had a few cracks on the left side and he has used JB Weld in the past...
  11. J

    Inconsistent idle 3.0L

    Ever since I've owned my current boat (98 Searay 180 with 3.0L) I have had an inconsistent idle issue. If I set the idle speed to 650-700rpm in forward gear idle it is good. After I run at higher RPM and slow down and put it in neutral it will hang around 900rpm, then drop to 800 rpm after 20 to...
  12. J

    Correct Spark Plug?

    I have a 3.0L merc (SN# 0L046463) that I currently have the MR43LTS plugs in it, which is whats listed on the spark arrestor. After reading some post I'm not sure if these are the right ones. I do believe that my motor is a 3.0 and not a 3.0LX. Can someone verify if I do have a LX and if the...
  13. J

    Time for new riser?

    Well, I got around to pulling the riser and manifold off my 98 3.0L. I'm confident that no one else has ever had either the manifold or riser off the boat, the paint on the bolts looked that way. The riser had a lot of blockage at the ports, but they cleaned up decent, however the flange isn't...
  14. J

    Napa marine gaskets

    I am going to pull my manifold and riser this year on my 1998 3.0L Merc, and saw that Napa carries Sierra gaskets. I can get the entire manifold gasket kit for about $15.00. Anyone have any issues with the Sierra gaskets ? Should I just order the OEM ?
  15. J

    Leaf Spring length ?

    I need new springs for my Shoreland'r trailer single axle. I have not pulled a spring off yet, but have been trying to find replacements. They are the common 1 3/4 wide and current ones are 5 leaf units. The front eye is the standard eyelet and the rear is a c-hook(open slipper eye). From...
  16. J

    Lift boat from trailer for bunk repair

    I have a 1998 Searay 180 that is on a Shorelander trailer. I knew at the end of the season that the brackets on the bunk boards were getting thin, but now one of the brackets has pretty much gave out and the bunk board is sitting on top of the mount. I don't think it's a good idea for me to...
  17. J

    3.0L Idle speed

    I have a 98 3.0L and I rebuilt the carb this spring and all went well. I dialed in the idle speed and mixture screw to what I think is good. I set the idle to be around 675 rpm in forward gear, idle, in the water, when the engine is at operating temperature. Question is does 800 RPM in neutral...
  18. J

    3.0L Prop reccomendation

    I have a 1998 Sea Ray 180 bow rider with the 3.0L 130hp, Alpha I Gen II 2.00 gears. I got the boat in the fall and it came with a Mercury Vengeance 23 pitch stainless prop. Factory it came with a 21 pitch, I traded a friend the Vengeance for a stainless 21 pitch 3 blade he had. The numbers the...
  19. J

    Oil leak timing cover 3.0

    I took my boat out today for a run to see if the carb I rebuilt was good to go. After running the boat for 30min I found oil in the bilge. The oil was dripping from the timing cover which had some rust. I did a search and apparently it's common for these to rust out due to leaking circulating...
  20. J

    Power valve included in carb kit ?

    I tore down my 2 bbl Mercarb to do a rebuild. The power valve fought me I got it out, but I need a new one. Does a power valve come in carb rebuild kits? I know the size of the valve differs from carb model numbers. I ordered a Mercruiser Kit 804844001, I can't find a exact list of whats in the kit?
Top