1995 Merc 3.0XL broken flame supressor mount

[Keith Ogden]

OK so I bought this boat on the 4th of July this year.
I have had it on the water twice. Last time was 2 weeks ago and after about 3 hours of running around and tubing it started to diesel . So we decided to end the outing.
Took it to a local boat shop , I was having issue with I thought might be a timing issue as it seemed to idle a bit ruff every time I took it to the dock.
I replaced the plugs , wires , cap and rotor as members here have stated that might be the cause of a miss.
Did not mind the investment , no idea when the previous owner ever had , and new is insurance ....
Well it still seemed to miss , not much but to me ( first I/O ) more then I see on a well tuned auto. I also could not get the RPM's low enough , I tried to follow the forum suggestions on setting the carb . Got them a bit lower but only down to about 1100 in neutral and 900 I think in gear.
Any how decided to play on the water with it as is . ( needed to get out once this season ! )

So after it started to diesel , I took it in .
Asked to have the carb adjusted and timing set.
Got the boat back yesterday. (1 week to set timing and adjust carb ! OH Well )
But was informed of some issues.
Fist issue is the carb. Was told it needed replaced ! The flame suppressor was secured with 2 long springs ( thought that was how it was suppose to be ) , seems the stud mount was missing and broke off .
Second issue was a new starter was needed as the one installed was for a car . I understand . New marine starter is a no brainier !
Third issue is a small leak in the out drive gear , was told a water pump kit will likely fix the issue . He stated that with the small amount that is coming out the exhaust ( I assume from running it in the test tank ) it is likely the place it is leaking . I have had the boat for what 3 months but only wet 5 or 6 times and only 2 of them running for more then 20-30 min . I have not seen the reservoir level go down so cant be much of a leak .

First set of questions:
For the carb . Replace with new $700 ( $1000 from dealer ) or rebuilt ( online $355 ) ? Plan on saving my old one and not using it as a core ( only give $45 as the top section is broken )
Is there any benefit to a new OEM carb ? Any increase in power , performance or fuel economy ?
Would these end up being strictly old stock or has there been any significant improvements ? Enough to justify the $650 difference ?
Or is it better to get a donor carb and salvage the top ? ( $150+ on eBay )
I would think the rebuilt would be a better improvement on my old carb ? I am sure a rebuilt kit could be installed . But again I know my limitations and would still have to pay to have that done . So that would also add to the cost of the $150 donor part getting it closer to the $355 to buy one already rebuilt .

I know I can replace the starter . I can install a new or rebuilt carb . Can probably replace the top section my self .
Will still have to take it back in again to have the new/rebuilt carb adjusted . Don't think replacing the top half will cause me to have the bottom adjusted again .
But will need to go back in for the water pump kit any how . This season or next. and might as well be now , no sense letting it leak all winter .

So my question is on the carb ........ NEW ? Rebuilt ? Repair from salvaged donor ?
And the leak ? sound plausible ? Or is he going to hammer me with something BIG after he gets it back in the shop ?

Any suggestions on a mid to high quality starter ? Don't want to mess with replacing again .

Thanks Pro's

1995 Amarda
Mercruiser 3.0XL
Alpha One out-drive

 

[fishrdan]

A new carb is not going to have 3x the performance or last 3x as long as a rebuilt, so yes, rebuild/rebuilt. Modern fuel with ethanol is a carb killer, so if you leave the boat laid up for long periods of time, expect to need a carb rebuilt again. The carb on my boat is from 1973, been rebuilt numerous times, and still works just fine...

"I" would find a rebuildable core and rebuild it, it's not that hard, it's all in the fine details, squeaky clean and adjustments spot-on. I cringe at $350 for a rebuilt carb, but that's certainly better than $1000.

Check DBelectrical for a marine starter. I have one of their China knock-offs, been working great for 6 years or so. Yes, there could be many more things discovered once the drive is removed, more seals in there besides the water pump.

B.O.A.T = Break Out Another Thousand, unless you can work on it yourself...

 

[stonyloam]

You should be able to figure a way to attach the flame arrestor to the carb. You might be able to drill and tap into the carb flange to hold it on. Then just rebuild it.

 

[Keith Ogden]

You should be able to figure a way to attach the flame arrestor to the carb. You might be able to drill and tap into the carb flange to hold it on. Then just rebuild it.

Issue is with the Marine shop. They state it is unsafe and they will no longer work on the boat until it , along with the starter are fixed.
It had a set of springs that had it secured. Looked good to me. Looked as if it was made that way . I never even knew that the top was broke.
The cross piece that holds the suppressor is broken off so clean I never noticed it was broken.

 

[Keith Ogden]

Found a few sites for the carb while at work today.
Have not dug to deep into the info as to exactly what carb I have or what one I need.
Just getting a general feel for the price and warranty.

http://flyingfishcarburetors.com/Y3...X0v_kAjPZJnZcVFmOg6psjid7zpYMcqO-IaAkVk8P8HAQ
$356

http://www.quadrajetcarbs.com/marine/
$295

http://carburetorsandmore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=44
$285

https://www.carb-x.com/marine-carburetors
$325

Any links to sites that sell Great rebuilt carbs ?

 

[stonyloam]

Here is a link to the parts diagram for your engine http://www.mercruiserparts.com/3-0lx-gm-181-i-l4-1990-1995-0c856559-t And your carb http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30918/1604/120