1987 Merc 260 Alpha One... a few questions

[Jet Wrench]

OK. For starters, I am new to the I/O family and need to get a few things straight in my head. I dragged home another project last week (divorce proceeding to follow, I'm sure!). It's an old Glastron/Carlson CVX18 with about 600 hours on it. It was at an estate sale here in Dallas. The last time it was registered was 03. I can only assume that was the last time it ran as well. No records, but I picked it up for cheap. I have not run the engine yet. It has the Quadrajet 4 barrell carb, the oil is clean. I opened the block freeze plug bleeders and no water came out. For all practical purposes, it's dry. The risers are clean, no cracks observed visually. What are the best next steps to take with regards to preventative maintenance before I try and fire this thing up? Thanks in advance.

Jet Wrench

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1987 Merc 260 Alpha One... a few questions

Howdy,


If it were me,

I would replace the raw water pump, housing, tube etc, drain & refill the drive, squirt a shot of grease in the gimbal bearing, pull the plugs and squirt a little shot of oil in each cyl.

Oil and filter change, fuel filter.....

Before re-installing the plugs, I would crank the engine to re-prime the engine oil pump and fuel pump/filter (you could even pull the dist and turn the oil pump with a drill motor if you're worried about it before cranking).

(when you crank the engine to start have a flush adapter on it with water on........ If you put the raw water pump together with the grease of your choice, you don't need water on it while only cranking for a min or so.....)


Check all electrical connections for being corroded or loose.....especially the ground connections......


watch for fuel leaks and have a fire extinguisher handy!




Regards,


Rick

 

[Jet Wrench]

Re: 1987 Merc 260 Alpha One... a few questions

Thanks Rick,

Kind of what I had in mind as well. My concern is the quadrajet. If it has been sitting this long, should I go ahead and disassemble the carb and clean the internals? Thanks in advance.

Jet Wrench

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 1987 Merc 260 Alpha One... a few questions

Just rebuild it. The kits are less than 30 bucks and its pretty easy to do. Watch this video I made and it will get you started...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=362542&highlight=QUADRAJET+VIDEO

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1987 Merc 260 Alpha One... a few questions

Yeah, as long as it's been sitting, it wouldn't be a bad idea to rebuild it but unless I knew there was something wrong with it, I think I might run it first and see what happens. (watch carefully for stuck float and choke etc)

I disassembled the Holley 4160 carb on my previous OMC 460 thinking there was something wrong with it and found that the only problem was the gaskets I destroyed getting it apart!!

It was absolutely pristine inside! the needle & seat sealed perfectly and all the bowls and jets were clean.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 1987 Merc 260 Alpha One... a few questions

Drain the old fuel and replace with fresh, or you WILL be rebuilding the carb!

 

[6meter]

Re: 1987 Merc 260 Alpha One... a few questions

My boat, always been my boat, sat for 8 years. Changed the engine oil, checked all the other fluid levels, put $20 gas in it and went boating. That was 3 seasons ago. Put an impeller in last year and a coil in this year.