'68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

[barato]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

i'll second the suggestion for the FWS....after having to paddle nearly a mile back to marina (at 130 a.m., in Mexico, with no lights) recently due to getting water in spare gas can for my outboard, i'm adding one even to the line on my portable tank.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

I would love a SC get together next season I will be up your way quite a bit as I have a friend right on the Black River....

I actually live north of Lansing a bit...but I spend lots of time between Alpena and Presque Isle since I grew up north of the 45th parallel

We've actually had some talks about meeting up to do the Inland Waterway loop next summer. Black river is a good one for Sturgeon

 

[TheWrks]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

I actually live north of Lansing a bit...but I spend lots of time between Alpena and Presque Isle since I grew up north of the 45th parallel

We've actually had some talks about meeting up to do the Inland Waterway loop next summer. Black river is a good one for Sturgeon

I just looked at your location info all I saw was Huron thinking Port Huron

So whats where is the Inland waterway loop? Noob and all that :redface:

Scott

 

[TheWrks]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

I got a call that my "withdraw" assembly has been repaired but I'm still in TX for another week

Scott

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

I just looked at your location info all I saw was Huron thinking Port Huron

So whats where is the Inland waterway loop? Noob and all that :redface:

Scott

The inland waterway connects Cheboygan almost all the way to Petoskey. You can enter from Lake Huron in Cheboygan, take the Cheboygan river to Mullett Lake, then head down Indian River to Burt Lake. Burt Lake connects to Crooked Lake via the Crooked River to complete the trip.

We have been talking about maybe meeting up there sometime since there's tons of camping and restaraunts(bars too) and fishing opportunities along the way.

There will be a thread for a Michigan meet-up at some point for the Starcraft owners.

 

[TheWrks]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

The inland waterway connects Cheboygan almost all the way to Petoskey. You can enter from Lake Huron in Cheboygan, take the Cheboygan river to Mullett Lake, then head down Indian River to Burt Lake. Burt Lake connects to Crooked Lake via the Crooked River to complete the trip.

We have been talking about maybe meeting up there sometime since there's tons of camping and restaraunts(bars too) and fishing opportunities along the way.

There will be a thread for a Michigan meet-up at some point for the Starcraft owners.

Thanks Huron A, I look at a map and this sound like a great trip. Would it be a one, two, three day thing the more the better...


Scott

 

[TheWrks]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

Well I'm back from TX working everyday this week so not much has been done to the Tin Can!!!! I picked up my "Withdraw tube" yesterday so the tank is ready to go back in

Question for you all...
The fuel line coming from the tank to the fuel filter about 4/5 feet dose it need to be USCG or regular rubber hose?

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

I believe it has to be USCG aproved line and any connection has to be double SS clamps if you use them. Not positive but fairly sure.

 

[TheWrks]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

I believe it has to be USCG approved line and any connection has to be double SS clamps if you use them. Not positive but fairly sure.

Thanks

Well I spent about 3 hours cleaning the vinyl seats boy were those rags black at the end

I drained the Gear oil a small amount of water came out first then black oil after that, A coworker said that I should be ok. Flush then refill w/Gear oil.

Took of the fuel pump/ filter and SS line brought it home a cleaned it all

RE: Distributor the wire that come from the coil was corroded in 2 places the one with the funky plastic retainer. The Cap look new inside, I'm thinking of getting the electronic conversion. Dose any one here use it ???

I tried to get a compression on the Cylinders but it would not read anything..
(I used it the day before on a Generator and got a reading of 140psi so I know it works) maybe I need to lengthen the shaft a bit.

Regards,

Scott

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

RE: Distributor the wire that come from the coil was corroded in 2 places the one with the funky plastic retainer. The Cap look new inside, I'm thinking of getting the electronic conversion. Dose any one here use it ???

Yes I upgraded my distributor to electronic. Best thing I ever did on my motor.
Lots of kits out there and the cost are reasonable. Others may have some brand/model that works on a merc that they will share info on. Points are OK but can be problematic on some motors. My Volvo motor was a very good candidate for the upgrade. She starts first crank every time now.
GLG

 

[TheWrks]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

Yes I upgraded my distributor to electronic. Best thing I ever did on my motor.
Lots of kits out there and the cost are reasonable. Others may have some brand/model that works on a merc that they will share info on. Points are OK but can be problematic on some motors. My Volvo motor was a very good candidate for the upgrade. She starts first crank every time now.
GLG

Thanks for the input I'll add it to my list..

 

[TheWrks]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

Well did a compression test the results were not good zip on #1 and 60 psi on #2 so I skipped 3 and 4. I removed the valve cover, I discovered that half the valves are stuck or sticking an couple will not budge at all.

Now I have to try and do this my self with limited (Skill) but have mechanical knowledge.
Just worried about
1- getting the wrong parts and or messing it up.
or
2- Take it to a mechanic and have it fixed right the 1st time....


Regards,

Scott

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

Oh man, bummer.

The guys on the IO side are a huge help, you may want to swing by there and see what they have to say about things. Shoot.

Just a thought...

It sure seems like there are a lot of those 120/140's around our neck of the woods. I wonder if you might be better off replacing rather than rebuilding? Might be about a wash you know.

All the best!

 

[fshngho]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

Look at it this way, what do you have to lose? Get a good book and read up on the engine. If the valves are stuck then you will not get good/correct compression. True you may not be able to fix it yourself but you can check it yourself to see of you want to rebuild or replace. If it is stuck valves or the heads you can remove them and have them re-worked at a machine shop. I am not a smart man,(obviously) but I would try it. Like Jas said, you have a ton of help in the other forum.

 

[barato]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

whoa there guys. why are we so sure we need to rebuild the engine just cuz old crud is gumming up valves (and probably piston rings gummed into grooves too)? this is normal for an engine that's sat for 20 yrs even tho it might be just fine internally.

clean up valvetrain with penetrating oil or Marvel Mystery Oil and toothbrush (preferably one that's been retired...)(carb spray will work for really bad deposits but be sure to follow it up with pen oil) and be sure you can get all valves to move freely, soak lots of pen oil down plug holes and crank engine over a # of times to spread it around, then add more. let it sit for a day or 2 and then try to get engine minimally running even if it runs like carp. get it fully warm at least twice. try compression again after this and you'll find you get a more accurate picture of your engine internals. oil press gauge (cheap at Harbor fright if your boat don't have one) wll also tell you lots abt bearing condition.


FWIW, my donorboat engine (140 Mercruiser) had abt 50-60 psi on one cyl when we first tested, after not running for maybe 7 yrs. after a few heat cycles and running maybe 1/2 hr total, i now have 150+ on all.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

Too right barato!

Hoping for good news for ya Scott!

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

ATF (trans oil) will clean crud in an old motor.
goggle it up for different ways to apply.
GLG

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

ATF (trans oil) will clean crud in an old motor.
goggle it up for different ways to apply.
GLG

Are you rerering to a motor or only to a trans.?? In regarde to ATF Fluid

 

[barato]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

quite correct on the ATF. one of the machinists' trade rags actually tested an ATF/acetone mixture against all of the major penetrating oils and it did better than any of them. this engine would be the perfect place to use that, not least since it will take a lot and acetone/ATF is cheaper than WD40.

just watch the fumes from the acetone, as they are highly explosive and will give you a window into the world of glue sniffers....good job to do outside.

 

[fshngho]

Re: '68 Holiday-V 120 Mercruiser I/O

That is what I was refering to Barato. Just because he didn't have compession dosen't mean the engine is shot. Stuck valves, springs, rings are common. I was thinking of dry rotted valve seals also. I learned many years ago about pouring a little trans fluid down the carbs to free stuff up. Car smoked like heck and actually had the local FD show up. Someone thought there was a fire.
Good suggestions sir.