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    Odd ignition problem..only three cylinders firing

    Hi Guys, 1988 V6 4.3 L/x thunderbolt ignition I changed my oil today and checked my spark plug gaps. I thought i would make sure all the cylinders were firing by taking the HT lead of each plug one at a time. I noticed that cylinders 1 3 and 5 didnt make any difference! 2 4 and 6 stopped the...
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    1988 4.3 lx thunderbolt ignition/ plug gap

    Guys, my manual has gone astray! Can anyone tell me what my spark plug gap should be. Oh i have alpha one drives. Cheers Bob
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    Recognise this shifter? And other problems...

    Hi Guys, Twin Mercruiser 4.3 L/X 1988 RWC engines I've been plagued by stiff controls, the shift cables and control cables have been replaced which has greatly improved the problem. I think the remaining resistance lies in the shifter so i need to either service it or replace it. Does...
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    4.3 V6 mercruiser L/X battery size?

    Hi, guys whats the best starter battery size for this size of engine? cheers Bob
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    Overheating/ underheating stiff control cables

    Hi, do i remember someone (might have been don.s ) posting a cooling system fault finding guide? I have twin merc 4.3 lx's with alpha one drive 1988 vintage (RWAC) one gets to warm underway, the other i have no guage reading. I want to do a logical fault finding check. Also the control cables...
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    Mercruiser 4.3 l/x overheating (slightly)

    Hello, while on tick over in neutral my engine remains at the bottom of the temperature scale. But when put into forward and sitting at 2000 RPM the temperature gradually creeps up to about half way. Reducing the revs brings the temperature down, and increasing the revs brings the temperature...
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    remanufactured stern drives?

    Can any body tell me a good company for alpha one stern drives? Preferably who might deliver to the uk?! Cheers Bob
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    Alpha overhaul, is it rocket science?

    Hi People, I am considering overhauling my Alpha one stern drives myself, but am plagued by the thought of water coming in the stern on craning the boat back in the water, or nasty graunching sounds when operating them! I have worked on car engines before succesfully, but is it a tad ambitious...
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    quicksilver shift lever?

    Hi GUys, my 1988 mercuisers have quicksilver twin shift levers. My problem is after having a stiff throtlle cable, one of the black plastic trim switch housing at the top of the chrome lever has started to crack due to the excessive force required to accelerate. Is there any chance of obtaining...
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    dodgy quicksilver rev counter?

    Hi people, my quicksilver rev counter is very tempermentle, it will sit there reading the right revs and then suddenly go to 2000 rpm and just sit there till i tap the gauge and it then reads properly. It has started doing this more frequently with a harder tap required to get it to behave...
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    replacement diesel for a mercruiser 4.3 l/x v6 alpha?

    Hello people, my mercruisers are getting a bit old now 1988, and petrol over here is now horrendously expensive. Can anyone give me advice on a good replacement diesel. i'm happy to go for lower RPM just for cruising really. Cheers Bob
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    4.3 LX Starting Problems

    hi bug up, i'm very new to mercruisers myself, but i think i read somewhere that the electric fuel pump operates when there is oil pressures, i'm not 100% sure as i have a mechanical pump! A sure way could be to check when the fuel pump actually operates with a voltmeter across it. As well as...
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    gas/petrol PTFE/silicon tape fittings

    Hello people,<br /><br />i think i read some where that you shouldnt use PTFE/ silicon tape on fuel/ petrol fittings. Is this correct? If so why? Thanks in advance.<br />Bob
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    Distributor black wire attached underneath?

    Hi, I noticed a wire had come adrift from the bottom of the distributor, underneath where the cap fits. Looking at the other engine there should be a stud there for it to fix onto but it looks like its sheared off long ago. What does it do? Is it an earth? Does it really matter!?<br />Thanks in...
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