If you have a Mercruiser Alpha Gen 1 and it shifts properly between forward and reverse, I would appreciate knowing how much movement you have in inches between forward and reverse on the outdrive shift cable. I am only getting 2 inches and it is not enough to allow engagement of both forward...
I have 15 gallons of potentially bad gasoline. It sat in a tank for 2 years and has a dingy brown color. Any ideas on safe disposal? I live in Jacksonville, FL.
My restoration project is ready for paint on the floor. I will be using an oil-based porch and floor paint which I have had good success with in the past. But, it is very slippery, so I need to add a non-skid material. What have you had good success with?
Thanks,
Richard
Is there a shift cable "throw" adjustment on a 1988 Mercruiser control box? The one in my restoration project is only giving me 2-1/2" cable movement and I need 3", per outdrive manual specs.
Thanks,
Richard
What would be the reason for the subject problem? This is a 1988 engine that is in the boat I am restoring. It idles fine when cold, but won't stay running (900-1000 RPM) after warmup (choke wide open). It restarts fine with a squirt from the accelerator pump, but then only runs for 5 to 10...
Please note the attached picture of the 1988 Mercruiser controls assembly. What is the purpose of the slot-headed screw just forward of the control handle? I assume some type of adjustment.
Thanks, Richard
Merged your two threads together to make it a bit easier.
The skeg on my Alpha 1 refurb is bent about 1/2" to the left, probably due to grounding on asphalt while towing. Can I bend it back or is it brittle and will crack?
Thanks,
Richard
As my restoration continues, I need to learn about the subject device which is feeding the 1988 2.5L motor.
My approach is to check it frequently for water initially and then taper back to every 20 hours or so.
If it fills with water does it prevent fuel flow, or do you get a fuel/water...
When I refilled my outdrive (Alpha gen 1) with gear oil after a waterpump change, I pumped in the recommended 32 oz of oil. All went in but none came out the vent. I subsequently had to drain the oil again to go back into the waterpump. None had leaked out to where it isn't supposed to be. Is 32...
Is it okay to use wheel bearing grease in the splined couplings, or should I use the Quicksilver spline grease? Don't want to spend money where I don't need to. I have lots of black bearing grease for my trailer wheels.
Richard
Doing the restore thing on a 88 ThunderCraft with the 120 2.5L Mercruiser. I am doing a lot of rewiring. Do I really need to install a Perko battery isolation switch? Some say the battery is always draining even with the ignition off. Boat stays on a trailer when not cruising.
Richard
Re: Difficulty installing Alpha 1 lower unit
This is a 1988 ThunderCraft 162 Regency restore, a boat with beautiful lines, in my opinion. I am just trying to get to the point where I can run the motor under power and make sure it is in good condition. If the motor is okay I will go back into...
Re: Difficulty installing Alpha 1 lower unit
This was found floating around in the female coupling of the upper unit. Where did it come from? It is not the O-ring on the lower unit shaft. It looks like a bearing seal. It was just loose in the coupling. We pulled it out and got the shaft to go...
I am restoring a 1988 ThunderCraft 162 Regency. What were the floatation requirements in 1988 for a 16 ft pleasure craft? Is there a bunch of foam under the sole?
Thanks,
Richard
I have read the repair manual and watched YouTube videos. It all looks so easy, but it is whipping my butt! The drive shaft will not engage the upper unit no matter how much I turn the drive shaft (lower shift shaft in forward gear, turning the prop shaft counter clockwise), I get a "clunk" and...
There are multiple dime-size holes in the interior glass panels (about 1/8" thick) of my restoration boat project where upholstery wood backing was fixed. On those that do not have access to the back of the panel, I am stymied as to how to fill in the holes with epoxy filler (to then be sanded...
I want to glue thin 1/8" ABS plastic panels to a sanded gel coat surface in the interior of my boat. I don't know if the ABS glues will stick to sanded gel coat. Any experience in this?
Thanks,
Richard
My Mercruiser stern drive has an Alpha 2.5L decal on the upper gearbox, but the transom assembly serial number is 088976*, where * is a number I can't read. This looks like a pre-alpha (MR) serial number to me. Am I correct?
Thanks,
Richard
Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????
Bondo,
Here are pictures of the starter mounting pad and flywheel. It is getting to be decision time on what starter to buy!
Thanks for the help.
Richard
