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    Mercruiser Batwing manifold/riser Replacement -- When ? (as preventative maintenance)

    I have a 2001 Bryant 196 w/ 4.3L TBI. Being a 7 year-old boat with 300 hours in fresh water (raw water cooled), when should I start worrying about replacing these 'wonderful' batwing manifolds with the standard two-piece manifolds? Now, 400, 500 hours; 10 years? The thing runs like a top, but...
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    1993 Ford 5.0 OMC -- Can't find Starboard Engine Drain

    Long time no post. This is on a friend's Chris Craft. We have located the two manifold drains; and the port block drain; just can't find the starboard engine block drain. He's got a SELOC manual, but no go. Any clues, hints, or other would be appreciated. thanks, Gary
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    1987 Starcraft 18' Supersport Restore

    I'm helping a colleague restore the above boat. He just re-powered with a 2007 Merc 115 Optimax, only to find out the transom is rotted. I will get some pictures posted soon. We knew the floor had to be replaced, but as we were ripping out the floor, we saw the transom. We think we have all...
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    '89 Starcraft 18SS w/ 115 Optimax 4500rpm

    This is for a friend's '89 Starcraft 18SS re-powered with 2007 Merc Optimax 115. It had an Evenrude 70. The 'rude would top out at 30mph gps at unknown rpm with (I think) a 17P 3-blade aluminum prop. Goal is to improve the boat as a ski, tube, and all around family boat. In that order. I...
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    2007 Merc Optimax 115 Questions

    This is for a friend's '89 Starcraft 18SS repowered with Optimax 115 w/ Merc Laser II 19P prop. I'm trying to hook up a tachometer (Teleflex). I believe everything is good, just want to make sure. I'm coming off the control box using the purple switched ignition for power, the gray for the...
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    Is it OK to mix Volvo syn gear oil w/ Merc syn gear oil on a Volvo SX?

    The dealer told me I needed two quarts of Volvo syn gear oil on my 2000 Volvo SX outdrive. After pumping in the two quarts, I see nothing on the dip stick. I do a look-see in my Volvo manual and it indicates 71 oz. All of my local marinas are closed. I have some Merc syn (blue/green) gear...
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    Humminbird 600 issues

    I have a Humminbird HDR 600 installed by the mfgr in a 5 year-old boat. Puck style epoxied to inside of hull. Symptoms are: -most of the time it just reads minimum depth or nothing at all (the other screen parameters such as ft or ko are still visible). -every so often it will read a good...
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    New Yamaha Stern Drives

    I don't know how long these have been out in the UK market -- diesel Yam stern drives:<br /><br /> http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/products/marine/stern/stern_drive_models.jsp <br /><br />Could a gasser in the US be available soon?<br /><br />
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    Erratic trim gauge -- Alpha I Gen II

    I did a search for trim gauge and either people had gauges pegged in either up or down, or they were trying to replace the sender.<br /><br />I was out yesterday and for the first time I was getting this symptom. No rhyme or reason for when the gauge would start working. When it did work, it...
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    Non-V8 engine truck/SUV's that can tow > 5000 lbs

    Anyone have their favorite truck or SUV that doesn't have a V8 (maybe V6 or I5 or I6) that is rated to tow 5000 lbs or greater.<br /><br />In this tow classification, you could tow your average 18-19 foot bowrider and still put gas in the boat and not have to weigh every passenger. Granted, I...
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    How much grease to pump into a gimbal bearing for maintenance?

    The relatively early demise of my gimbal bearing (175 hours) got me thinking this question.<br /><br />My bearing was wet for about 1 week that may have contributed to the situation.<br /><br />I gave it about 8 pumps at the end of every season. <br /><br />The boat had 63 hours when I bought...
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    water temp gauge not showing temp -- fixed!

    Took my 2005 first voyage yesterday. The water temp gauge was not showing any temp. <br /><br />Water temp was 56F. I have an 160F stat -- original stat.<br /><br />Since I do my own maint, first thing I did was shut it down and pull the stat to make sure I didn't forget the gasket with the...
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    Is this a good deal??

    http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/3/7/77605037.htm <br /><br />What's the worst case $$ wise this would take to get back on the water? A new bobtail engine? What would that cost?<br /><br />I like the way they say the engine is "disassembled."<br /><br />I figure the boat running would...
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    opinions on converting to closed cooling

    I am considering putting closed cooling on my '01 4.3L TBI Merc/Alpha. Freshwater use, currently with 175 hours.<br /><br />I am thinking that for $500 the San Juan Engineering half-systems would be worth it to extend the life of the engine. It would also be two less drain plugs to deal with...
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    Volvo IPS drives

    What do you think of this technology? Do you think it will make it to the single engine bowrider market one day?<br /><br /> http://www.mby.com/auto/newsdesk/20041101132742mbynews.html
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    Switching to a 180*F Thermostat

    All this talk about thermostats has me ask a question about my engine -- a '01 Merc 4.3L TBI raw water cooled.<br /><br />I was talking to my Merc tech asking if he could alter the fuel map in the computer to run leaner so I wouldn't get fuel dilution in the oil. He said no, he couldn't modify...
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    Should I bother to paint rust on outside of manifolds/riser?

    On my '01 Merc 4.3L TBI with one piece manifolds, there are some spots that are rusted. One such spot is the forward most area of the manifold which is about 3" x 3". It is very rusted. I think it must get hot there because there is a device in front of it that must impede air flow to it so...
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    Tell me more about Merc 4.3L one-piece exhaust risers

    All this talk about manifolds and risers has got me thinking ;) .<br /><br />I have these one piece Merc units. I was wondering how they hold up in real life. Are they better or worse than the two piece? If/when I have to replace them, do I have to use the same 1-piece? I ask because they...
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    Alpha I Gen II shift problem

    I have a Merc manual for my drive so I just need help identifying where I take care of this symptom.<br /><br />When I put it in reverse to back away from trailer or whatever, and I slide it into neutral, the shifter will click into the neutral position but the drive is still in reverse.<br...
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    Email from Mercruiser re: engine oil & synthetics

    Here is my email:<br /><br />I am very confused about engine oil for my sterndrive engine.<br /><br />Your website states that synthetics are not recommended, yet you market a synthetic blend oil for sterndrive engines.<br /><br />You also list that if I cannot obtain your Merc 25W40 oil to use...
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