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  1. redgoat

    Reverse engine lock won't hold on vintage Mercruiser IO 153 cu.in. 120 hp engine

    There is a spring loaded lever on my outdrive that is identified as "Lock" and "Unlocked" designed to keep outdrive locked down when operating in reverse. My outdrive will release and raise up in the water when engine is put into reverse even though lever is in the locked position. Is there...
  2. redgoat

    Mercury 4cyl stumbles at hole shot and underway

    OK. I have a 54 year old Mercury I/O 120 hp, 153 cu.in L4, 2.5L Last year, it developed an issue with hesitation and stumble at increasing throttle--especially at hole shot. It starts quickly, idles just fine and has a perfect point dwell and perfect timing. I suspected old ethanol gas and...
  3. redgoat

    Water thermostat: install with spring up or spring down on vintage mercruiser I/O?

    I have a vintage '67 I/O with a 120 hp Mercruiser engine that is a 2.5L 153 cu.in. 4cyl design. I think I may have installed my water thermostat incorrectly over the years and am now determined to install it correctly, if previously it was wrong. The thermostat will "fit" into the engine hole...
  4. redgoat

    Hard start sometimes after engine is really warm on '67 Sea Ray 4cyl.

    My '67 Sea Ray I/O with a 2.5L 153 cu.in. 4 cylinder engine with a 2bbl carb is sometimes hard to restart after shutting it off after a hard run. I have to raise the "cold start" lever to get it to restart and then as I lower the lever and reduce the high RPMs I then have to sometimes throw it...
  5. redgoat

    Replacing 143* thermostat on 120 Mercruiser I/O 52 year old Sea Ray

    I am the original owner of a 1967 Sea Ray I/O with a 153 cu. in., 4 cyl mercruiser engine. Recently I had to replace a badly worn water pump impeller that was causing my engine to overheat. I thought I might as well replace my thermostat as I cannot recall how long it's been since I replaced...
  6. redgoat

    Mixing lower unit gear oil on Mercruiser stern drive

    Is it safe to mix Quicksilver High Performance Gear Lube SAE 90 with Mercury High Performance Gear Lube+ SAE 90 in my Mercruiser IO 120 outdrive?
  7. redgoat

    Bilge suddenly taking on large quantities of water + odd engine noise

    My 51 year old Sea Ray with a 153 cu.in. 4cyl Mercruiser I/O engine suddenly began taking on water in the bilge area and then making a strange noise in the engine compartment. The engine did not stall so I idled back to the dock knowing something was amiss. During the trek back to shore, I...
  8. redgoat

    Throttle handle loose on Mercontrol. How is it fixed?

    The throttle handle is loose on my 47-year-old Sea Ray with a Mercruiser control. The control shifts flawlessly but the handle for some reason is loose. The handle has splines that go into the control housing. The model Mercontrol is either B-34744A1 or B-44958A2-A5. I got these numbers from...
  9. redgoat

    OLD Roch carb hard to start after hard run w/o raising "lift for cold start" lever

    OLD Roch carb hard to start after hard run w/o raising "lift for cold start" lever My 47-year-old Sea Ray with a 153 cu in 4 cyl. Mercruiser engine and a 2bbl Rochester Carb is hard to start after being run for 45 mins or so. Many times I have to lift the "lift for cold start" lever next to the...
  10. redgoat

    Full tank or nearly empty for storage

    My 46-year-old Sea Ray I/O has the original steel gas tank. With the addition of ethanol to gas I am concerned about whether I should store my boat full or partially empty assuming I use StaBil marine formula for ethanol. The boat is stored in an unheated garage for 6 months. I also do not have...
  11. redgoat

    Little Dude trailer brakes need attention

    I have a 46-year-old Little Dude single axle boat trailer that still transports my 17' 1967 Sea Ray boat. The trailer company is long since out of business. My question pertains to the surge-type of brake system on the trailer. I think my brakes may need to be serviced with new shoes, springs...
  12. redgoat

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

    My 46-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...
  13. redgoat

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

    My 46-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...
  14. 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...
  15. 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...
  16. 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...
  17. 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...
  18. 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...
  19. 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...
  20. 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...
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