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  1. Jcris

    electric choke adjustment

    I've got a 2 barrel mercarb on my 4.3 lx. Since I've owned it I've always had trouble starting it cold. Today I'm looking at the carburetor and noticed the electric choke is set to the leanest position. Why would this be? Maybe the previous owner adjusted it incorrectly? Maybe it came from the...
  2. Jcris

    what motor oil should I use

    My 1996 4.3 l mercruiser calls for an SG grade oil. After searching the web it seems that designation has been superseded to SM. No problem there. What viscosity though? 20/50 ? Conventional or full synthetic? I don't know what's in there now. Can I go to a full synthetic safely? I live in...
  3. Jcris

    alpha 1 gen 2 drive will not go into gear

    Well I re-installed the drive and still it will not go into gear. I did lock the prop CCW but I'm not 100% the roller is in the shift slide arm. Looks like I'll have to double check Jcris I just pulled the drive and I see no issue with the shift slide. I can move the shift handle at console and...
  4. Jcris

    upper shift shaft seal kit

    I recently replaced the bushings and seals on the upper shift shaft and am wondering If I used the correct parts. The kit I used has 2 seals that are both installed below the upper (smaller ) brass bushing. There appears to be a kit that has a seal in the upper and lower bushing. Take a look at...
  5. Jcris

    alpha 1 gen 2 drive will not go into gear

    After a reseal of the drive shaft housing I re-installed the drive on the boat and ran it on muffs to check it out. Now the drive will not go into gear. Where do I start? Jcris
  6. Jcris

    drive oil reservoir

    I did a service on my alpha gen 2 and along the way decided to clean the remote oil reservoir that sits on top of the motor. I also blew out the hose that leads from the reservoir to the transom fitting. Just to be sure there was no restriction. Didn't there used to be a dipstick of sorts on top...
  7. Jcris

    alpha 1 gen 2 not holding pressure

    After replacing the water pump and putting the upper and lower sections of the drive back together the drive is failing the pressure test. It will begin to drop pressure right away. With the drive assembled it's difficult to see where the leak is coming from. I've sprayed a soapy solution on the...
  8. Jcris

    water pump kit

    I'm doing a service on the water pump assembly. I'm replacing everything in the kit. The kit part number on the box is 817275K05 and is described as water pump upper repair kit. The instructions in the kit are labeled with part number 817275Q05 and are described as water pump rebuild kit for...
  9. Jcris

    stuck oil seal carrier

    I'm servicing the water pump assembly on my 1996 alpha 1 gen 2. The oil seal carrier is stuck in the gear housing. A screw driver in each hole will not budge it. I soaked the area around it with some PB blaster and am letting it soak while I ask a question here. This may actually be an original...
  10. Jcris

    shift shaft seal leaking

    I've been using my boat a lot more lately and have noticed a drop in the oil level in the drive oil reservoir on top of the motor. I've added about a 1/4" of oil twice in the last month or so. I haven't been able to see any oil leaking until today. With the drive up (Alpha 1 Gen 2) I saw a...
  11. Jcris

    drain set up

    I own an 18' fish and ski that has (2) 3/4" drain hoses that empty into the bilge. What do these go to? I have been chasing down a leak and have begun trying to eliminate all possibilities. Please take a look at the pictures and let me know Thanks, Jcris
  12. Jcris

    possible leaking hull

    Hello, I've got a 1996 Glastron fish and ski that is getting some water in the center hatch area. I use this boat for fishing only and during the summer take it out 2 or 3 times a week. I bought it 2 years ago and have never noticed any water in that area until recently. I always clean and...
  13. Jcris

    gauges

    I've been having some issues with my gauges of late and after doing some checking am coming to the conclusion that I may need to just replace these 21 year instruments. What I'm finding is that typical gauges on boats are not that accurate. If that is true then what is a good choice for...
  14. Jcris

    erratic tach

    I've noticed some erratic readings from the instrument panel lately. The tach seems normal at idle but when I'm cruising along at 3000 rpm's it will jump to 4800 or so. Then it will begin to slowly work it's way back to 3000. The voltage meter also doesn't register more than about 11 volts. The...
  15. Jcris

    trim switches

    FWIW, I replaced my trim switches yesterday without removing the drive. I read many posts on this and other forums and was really on the fence on whether to pull the drive to do this work. I'll say I'm not experienced with boats but have wrenched on my cars my entire life. For better or worse...
  16. Jcris

    trim function

    I have a commander 3000 control on my alpha 1 gen 2 that doesn't seem to work correctly. There's a small rocker switch on the handle that will lower the drive but not raise it. There is an additional switch on the bow that will raise and lower the drive without issue. Does that seem right? I...
  17. Jcris

    water flow on muffs

    I'd like to be sure that my 4.3 is getting adequate water flow while on muffs. Is there better way other than muffs?
  18. Jcris

    Vortec heads

    I have a 1996 Glastron with a 4.3l Mercruiser and am wondering how I can be sure it has Vortec heads? I usually read this forum to gain insight on repairs and maintenance and I came across a thread, from a knowledgeable member, that indicated that some heads for these motors were not necessarily...
  19. Jcris

    when to check exhaust

    Hello everyone, I've got a 1996 Glastron I/O with a 4.3 LX Mercruiser with Vortec heads. This boat has only been on one freshwater lake it's entire life. Hours are less than 1200. I see no signs of rust anywhere along the exhaust system. I've been working to ensure this motor and entire boat are...
  20. Jcris

    carpet samples

    The carpet samples I'm getting seem very similar. One manufacturer to the next the quality appears similar. The pricing though varies quite a bit. Recommendations please
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