1977 Mercruiser 165 rebuid questions

[BigWally1]

I bought a 1977 Searay 24' sundancer this past may. Ran it all season to find its quirks. I know I have to rebuild both outdrives as they are problematic in shifting etc.

Both engines run ok, bu have various problems that I need to address. Starters, Oil Leak, etc. Both motors running WOT run about 3000rpm and the boat about 30mph. This is ok if it were reliable. I fish Lake Michigan and need to have both engines and drives up to snuff when weather hits.

I have removed both drives and the engines are coming out tomorrow. I will check compression but I plan on valve jobs, new bearing, rings etc.

Ive heard felpro gaskets are the only way to go? What is top rpm for the 165 6 cly? Any upgrade beside the electronic ignition?

I was thinking about replacing the port drive with a new counter rotating drive?

I own a Generator company and have mechanics slow all winter this will be a good project for them.

Also does any one make a replacement cut out switch for the drives?

Any help and ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 1977 Mercruiser 165 rebuid questions

Sorry, not too familiar with that engine, but here's a link to the factory manual;

http://www.4shared.com/file/116480357/2650579f/mercuiser2_73-79.html

You can download it free, and they can be found at the top of the main page here under "Adults only"

If I'm reading it right, Max RPM @ WOT is 3900-4300.

Hope this gets you started anyway.

Good luck.

 

[ziggy]

Re: 1977 Mercruiser 165 rebuid questions

wot of a 165hp L6 is 3900-4300. get the service manual. it'll be the best tool in your tool box. if ya gotta rebuild both drives, ya may consider sei aftermarket drives. sold at iboats i beblieve. rebuilding a drive is very costly. if you do it yourself, you'll have to buy many very expensive tools to do the deed. as for the rebuild. have ya checked compression on them? there's many reasons for not achieving wot spec. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=295070 a lame engine is only one of many. i've no idea on who's gaskets are cool. what i would insist on is a build sheet i think it's called. it's where it's written down that the internal engine specs have been met.
i think sei sells a aftermarket counter rotateing lower. i believe the counter rotating is all done in the lower, so if the uppers good, only need to replace the lower. seems like it'd be a good idea for handleing.
the shift interupt swith is nla. check this out... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=290793

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1977 Mercruiser 165 rebuid questions

If it`s anything like my SRV 240 , I ran 4500 with 13 3/4 x 21P. 58mph
Check the bushings in the dist for any play, it affects the timing .
Also have the boat weigh checked, you might have a lot of wet foam.