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  1. redgoat

    120 hp Merc I/O outdrive won't stay down when locked in lock down position

    My 45-year-old Mercruiser outdrive will raise up when put into reverse gear even though the lock latch is in the lock position. This happens at slow speed as that's about the only time I use reverse. The engine will raise up a bit as though it is in the unlock position. Is there a simple fix for...
  2. redgoat

    Lower shift cable and shift interrupt switch nightmare on my '67 Merc 153cu in 4cyl

    Last summer I replaced a shift interrupter switch (39671A3) on my 153 cu.in. 120 hp 4cyl Mercruiser. I considered my self lucky to find this NLA part at a local dealership. This seemed to solve my forward to neutral binding up problem. My perennial problem for many years has been engine stalling...
  3. redgoat

    Timing Tab on Mercruiser has no numbers--just marks

    The timing tab on my 1967 Mercruiser 153 cu.in 4cyl engine has a timing tab that just has marks but no numbers to indicate degrees before and after TDC. The tab was painted over in the factory and I have somewhat had to guess all these years as to where the factory specs of 8* BTDC is located...
  4. redgoat

    Engine stalling when shifting from neutral to forward when hot on 153 cu.in 120 4cyl

    Last summer I replaced a shift interrupter switch (39671A3) on my 153 cu.in. 120 hp 4cyl Mercruiser. I considered my self lucky to find this NLA part at a local dealership. This seemed to solve my forward to neutral binding up problem. My perennial problem for many years was the stalling when...
  5. redgoat

    Ballast resistor and coil confusion

    Re: Ballast resistor and coil confusion Now I know why it's taken me a year since I bought this conversion kit to finally get around to installing it. I knew there would be problems--especially since my boat is a 1967--45 years old! OK with these new photos I am looking straight towards the...
  6. redgoat

    Ballast resistor and coil confusion

    Re: Ballast resistor and coil confusion I do appreciate your kind assistance with my problem. I traced the white wire and two brown wires taped bundle to another taped bundle of more wires that lead to who knows where. It does appear that a white wire does at some point leave the bundle and is...
  7. redgoat

    Ballast resistor and coil confusion

    After 45 years of running my Sea Ray on a conventional points and condenser ignition, I am installing a Sierra electronic conversion for 4 cyl Delco ignition. My Mercruiser is a 4cyl, 153 cu.in., 120 hp engine. I have got to to the final instruction where I must do something with the red wire...
  8. redgoat

    SeaFoam for older Mercruiser 120 4cyl--worthwhile or worthless?

    My I/O is over 40 years old but still runs well except for some occasional rough idle especially when attempting to dock. Could my engine need a carbon cleaning to make it run better. New plugs, plug wires, points, condenser, timing, carb rebuilt and everything is up to specs. SeaFoam has been...
  9. redgoat

    Cannot find SAE 20 or 20W motor oil for 44-year-old Sea Ray I/O

    My owner's manual calls for SAE 20 or 20W motor oil for my 153 cu in mercruiser engine I/O. Owner's manual does say that SAE 30 is OK if the prevailing daytime temperature is above 90F. Most of my boating is done in the 70's and 80's. Is there any manufacturer still making this weight? Any...
  10. redgoat

    Shift from forward to neutral binding up?

    Again this year, after my first time out today, my throttle lever is not going into neutral as it should. There feels like some binding up as I try to get it there. If I wait a few moments, it likely will go into neutral smoothly. I had this problem in '07, and in '09. Each repair was about $600...
  11. redgoat

    Standard ignition changeover to Electronic for 4 cyl Mercruiser

    I was wondering if it is worthwhile to change my standard ignition on my 4cyl 153 cu.in. mercruiser 120hp to a Sierra Electronic Conversion Kit for 4 cyl Delco ignitions. One is lead to believe that this technology will not only make points and condenser obsolete but also make a marine engine...
  12. redgoat

    ZINC OIL ADDITIVE for older engines

    I recently learned that the current motor oils, namely SL and SM, do not contain the bearing protective property zinc plus phosphorus. Without this additive in the motor oil, older car engines could potentially be damaged. I would think my 44 year old Mercruiser 153 cu.in., 120 hp, 4cyl Chevy...
  13. redgoat

    Rochester 2bbl carb rebuild question

    I have a '67 SeaRay with a mercruiser 120 IO 4cyl engine. I am rebuilding the carb. There are two small balls in the rebuild kit. I know one (the larger steel ball) goes Under the "T" and is held by a long spring. Does the other smaller ball get dropped into the accelerator pump well OR does...
  14. redgoat

    Replacement prop won't seat

    I am trying to replace a damaged prop on my Mercruiser IO 153, 4cyl, 120hp. The replacement prop (#48-76012-21) will not slide in far enough to expose the shaft splines so I can fasten it down properly with old nut. The prop stops just short of exposing the splines. The old prop had a number...
  15. redgoat

    Replacement prop won't seat

    I am trying to replace a damaged prop on my Mercruiser IO 153, 4cyl, 120hp. The replacement prop (#48-76012-21) will not slide in far enough to expose the shaft splines so I can fasten it down properly with old nut. The prop stops just short of exposing the splines. The old prop had a number...
  16. redgoat

    Merc 153 cu.in. 4cyl excessive oil leak

    My 43 year old Sea Ray with a mercruiser 153 cu in stern drive has a bad oil leak on the starboard side of the engine--the side with the plugs, oil filter, fuel pump and distributor. Oil is splattered over a large portion of the engine on this side and eventually drips to the bilge area. Boat...
  17. redgoat

    Float adjustment on fuel tank sending unit

    The top seal on my fuel tank sending unit was not tight. I added a thicker gasket and larger screws and now the seal is tight and not leaking. However, my fuel guage only registers 3/4 when the tank is really full. Is there an adjustment to the rod I could make to make the sending unit...
  18. redgoat

    Timing Chain/Belt Replacement When? Merc 120

    Does my Mercruiser 120 hp 153 cu. in. 4 cyl have a timing chain or belt? Or is it direct gear driven? Is this something that I should consider replacing since my Sea Ray is 43 years old? Cars routinely replace chains and belts at certain intervals but what about boats? Also, if my belt or...
  19. redgoat

    Engine won't crank

    On my last boat outing, the 2 bolts on my mechanical fuel pump came lose and the pump came out its engine housing with the result of the engine stopping. I shut off the ignition and discovered oil splashed about on one side of the engine and the unfastened fuel pump somewhat hanging down but...
  20. redgoat

    Mercruiser I/O 153 cu Belt Replacement

    I need to know how to replace my drive belt on my 153 cu in 4cyl. 120 Mercruiser I/O. There is no power steering. Just alternator and water pump. The boat is 43 years old and I am the original owner. The belt could be 43 years old too. How do I get the belt past the huge motor mount without...
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