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    1990 Merc 4.3 with Thunderbolt IV Update...

    I have the above mentioned engine and ignition and ordered a new ignition sensor that goes in the distributor as well as cap, rotor etc... I just want to replace everything since it never has been done since new. The original sensor in the distibutor had two posts where you screw the white...
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    Voltmeter displays low voltage - but battery is good???

    I have just load tested my battery, and it checks out perfectly. 12.8 volts and 11 volts under load. The issue is that even when the battery is currently on the automatic charger and I turn the ignition on for a second, the voltmeter still only shows around 10.8 volts.? This was working fine...
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    Merc 470 a little hard to start when warm...

    I have a 1987 Merc 470 that starts and runs great when hot or cold. The only issue I have, and it's really not too much of an issue is warm starting.<br /><br />I have to apply about half to 3/4 throttle and hols it there while cranking for about five seconds before it starts when warm. Once...
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    Old 1969 Mark Twain with Kiekhaefer Outdrive

    My neighbor picked up a 1969 Mark Twain 20' boat for free with the 220HP inline 6 GM engine and a Kiekhaefer outdrive. This outdrive is massive! It also says Mercury and Mercruiser on the drive and looks pretty similar to what I've seen.<br /><br />A couple of questions... are the U-joint...
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    What is the effect of the dwell setting?

    I understand that dwell is the rotational angle that the points remain open or closed?<br /><br />On my engine (87 Merc 470) the spec calls for 28-34 degrees and 4 degrees timing advance.<br /><br />What happens if I set the dwell to 27.8 or so... It's such a pain opening and closing the cap...
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    Ignition Question - I'm sure this a rookie thing

    I have a 1987 Merc 470. Everything was running before, but I changed to new plugs, points condenser and cap. Kept the old wires. Everthing else really needed to be changed, but like I said, it ran. Once I put everything else in, it won't start now.<br /><br />I followed the troubleshooting...
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    Shift cable replacement on Alpha

    I just got finished with replacing the shift cable on my Alpha leg. What a major pain in the a..!!<br /><br />The directions are so vague as well.<br /><br />My question is where is the white, spiral wound wrapping supposed to go around. It says to place it over the cable, but where?<br /><br...
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    Gimbal Bearing replacement without Special Tools?

    I started up my 'new to me' 1987 Searay Seville With Merc 470 and Alpha 1 and I heard a 'howling' type of sound in neutral, forward and reverse and regardless of engine speed. I have yet to remove the outdrive and inspect the oil and bearing, but have already ordered the transom repair kit...
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    Best Sparkplug for 1987 Merc 470?

    The Merc service manual calls for either Champ RV9YC or AC R42TS. Any better than these, or which one of the two should I use?
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    Complete Metal Rubrail Replacement Source?

    I have a newly acquired 1987 Sea Ray Seville 18' Bowrider. The are about four feet of squashed rubrail where the black vinyl insert is hanging due to the rail being smashed. What are some sources for a new rubrail? I would like to replace it but don't know where to get it and whether or ot it...
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    1987 Merc 470 Summerizing

    Hello to all and happy new boating season. I bought another boat yesterday, which will be a huge step up from my 1974 17'.<br /><br />I got a 1987 Sea Ray 19' with a Mercruiser 470 with Alpha 1 leg.<br /><br />Also, this engine has closed cooling and I am about to 'summerize it' Any particular...
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    1974 Rochester 2GC hesitiation at low throttle question

    I have a recently rebuilt carburetor on my Merc 3.0 that runs perfectly in all cases but one... The engine idles well and from 2000 RPM to WOT is perfect. The problem is when I just apply a TINY bit of throttle above idle; the engine will stumble without increasing speed and when I give it a...
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    Should I remove this foil on my outdrive?...update

    I have a 1974 Rally 17' made by Mirrocraft that I recently repowered with a 1995 Mercruiser 3.0 4cyl making 120 HP due to using an old manifold and carb from a 120. I have a pretty banged up three blade 17P 15 3/4 diameter prop on it now and make around 34MPH at 4300 RPM WOT with two on board...
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    Last shot to diagnose bogging problem!

    I'm going to try and enlist everyone's help again. I have been following FreeBeeTony's threads and think we have the same issue. I could be wrong on that though.<br /><br />I have a 1995 Mercruiser 3.0 with conventional Prestolite ignition. I have this engine sitting in a 1974 Rally (built by...
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    Leak Down Test, How do I do it?

    I have the 1995 Mercruiser 140 4 cyl where I am having the same issues ast FreeBeeTony (in my opinion). I have done all of the same things he has and still have the same symptoms. I would like to do a leakdown test. I bought an air hold fitting from NAPA and did a test run of replacing valve...
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    Replaced Complete Ignition System, Still no Luck! Same as FreeBeeTony

    I have the same, or so I think, issue as Freebeetony. I ended up replacing my ignition coil with an old one and it made a huge difference. I went from 3200 to 4200 RPM on my 1995 3.0 Merc. I thought that was the issue, so I just bought the entire ignition system new. Prestolite cap, rotor...
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    Merc 4cyl bogging out at 3200 rpm.

    I know I have posted this before, but I have still been working on this to no avail! I swapped out a 1974 Merc 120 for a 1995 Mercruiser 181/3.0 140. I am using the 1974 Manifold and Carb so that the engine will mate with my 1974 pre Alpha outdrive. I have replaced everything, rebuilt...
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    Mercruiser Rochester 120 Carb Mystery?

    I was boating today just like any other day without a problem. I pulled the boat into a slip and left it for about half an hour. I came back to the boat and started cranking to no avail. I pulled the spark arrestor off and noticed fuel gushing out of the top of the carb though a hole in the...
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    Carburetor Tuning

    I am starting a new thread from the 1974 -1995 engine swap. I have ordered a carb kit and will go through the carb once I get it. My question is; When reading the shop manual it just says, 'Adjust Choke'. How do you know when it is adjusted well? I have a 1974 Rochester 2bbl carb with a...
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    Swap from 1974 Mercruiser 3.0 to 1995 HELP!!! PLEASE!!!

    I bought a 1974 runabout and discovered, to my surprise, that the Mercruiser 3.0 per Alpha 1 drive has a cracked block. I checked the intake manifold as well as the riser, and they are both in good shape, so it's the block. I change the oil and within 2 minutes, the new oil is milky again...
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