Engine tune up/repower questions

[acdc96]

I'm tuneing my engine up for this coming spring. The boat hasn't been in the water for a couple years. The engine runs OK, needs some carb work. I just put in brand new bellows. I ordered water pump rebuild kit, new trim solenoid, and trim cylinder seal kit.
I have some questions.
1. Should I replace the exhuast manifold gaskets? That would include the manifold to block gasket and riser gasket. The exhaust does not leak.
2. My boat has power steering, what kind of fluid should I get? Is it regular car power steering fluid?
3. My trim cylinders don't leak, the retainer rings have came out for some reason. what's up with that?
4. Im gonna change the oil in the motor, will going through the dipstick be the best way to remove the oil? Or should I take the plug out of the oil pan? I've heard of people sending off their oil to have it analyzed, should I do that? If so who do I send it too?

I am a DIY guy and don't want to pay to have some mechanic $$$$ an hour to do simple engine work.
Engine: Mercruiser 260HP V8 Alpha one gen 1 drive. 1986 or 1987.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine tune up/repower questions

I'm tuneing my engine up for this coming spring. The boat hasn't been in the water for a couple years. The engine runs OK, needs some carb work. I just put in brand new bellows. I ordered water pump rebuild kit, new trim solenoid, and trim cylinder seal kit.
I have some questions.
1. Should I replace the exhuast manifold gaskets? That would include the manifold to block gasket and riser gasket. The exhaust does not leak.
2. My boat has power steering, what kind of fluid should I get? Is it regular car power steering fluid?
3. My trim cylinders don't leak, the retainer rings have came out for some reason. what's up with that?
4. Im gonna change the oil in the motor, will going through the dipstick be the best way to remove the oil? Or should I take the plug out of the oil pan? I've heard of people sending off their oil to have it analyzed, should I do that? If so who do I send it too?

I am a DIY guy and don't want to pay to have some mechanic $$$$ an hour to do simple engine work.
Engine: Mercruiser 260HP V8 Alpha one gen 1 drive. 1986 or 1987.

Ayuh,.... #1,... Pull the risers, clean the gasket surfaces, 'n decide whether the risers, or manifolds need replacin',...
No reason to change the manifold to block gaskets, unless yer pullin' the manifolds for some reason,...

#2,... I use plain ole ATF,...

#3,... Donno what happened, my guess is, ya might have water in the oil, 'n it froze, blowin' things apart,..??..

#4,... Ya, pump the oil out through the dipstick,...
Google oughta find ya a Lab, that does oil analyzin',...

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Engine tune up/repower questions

#4?

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Engine tune up/repower questions

(above)..oppps... why would you drain oil via dipstick if it's got a drain plug? Mine's got a drain plug, oil pan and all..1987 3.0 Mercruiser GM...
good luck with tune up,,, Im sure you will get her running good

 

[bspeth]

Re: Engine tune up/repower questions

because it is easier and cleaner,and for a lot of us its hard to get a catch pan under our engines.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Engine tune up/repower questions

(above)..oppps... why would you drain oil via dipstick if it's got a drain plug? Mine's got a drain plug, oil pan and all..1987 3.0 Mercruiser GM...

Mainly, using a dipstick vacuum pump, you do not have to use some sort of receptacle to catch the oil. (and then spill it all over the place getting the container out from under the engine) AND then spilling it pouring it into another container suitable to transport it someplace that will take it!

I've heard of people sending off their oil to have it analyzed, should I do that? If so who do I send it too?

Oil analysis is mainly used by people ( & companies with fleets) who want to extend their oil drain intervals. It mainly tests for certain components (soot particularly, for diesels) wear metals to tell you what is wearing in your engine, viscosity (fuel or other contamination) and some other "stuff"...........(for additional cost of course)

You really don't need to test for wear metals in a marine engine. They rarely wear out. we usually destroy them well before they wear out!! (my last engine went 39 years)

Fuel contamination can be a factor with an engine mounted fuel pump but you'll know it long before an oil test would reveal it.

Most people wouldn't extend their drain intervals more than a change every year or 2 because of how long the engine sits idle in storage.
(Marine engine suppliers suggest once a year during "Winter Layup")

So the oil analysis for recreational marine engines is of limited value for most of us.


Blackstone labs is a very common oil test facility and they have mail in kits you can use for about $25 + shipping. (they claim oil is NOT hazardous for shipping) Blackstone Labs .......................There are many others! Google is your little fren!



Regards,




Rick