First time doing engine maintenance. Tips??

[gerds]

So my brother-in-law and I are gonna takle the pre-season maintenance this year. Neither of us have done this before (usually take it to the dealer), but the 400$ the dealer wants is out of my budget. We are both pretty mechanically inclined. 2006 Four Winns Horizon 200, 5.0 mercruiser, carb, 220 hp, alpha. 35 hours on the boat but its been sitting for about 1 1/2 years. Heres the plan:
Check all fluids ie; trim, power steering, gear lube, and brake fluid for surge brake, filling if needed.
Change engine oil and oil filter.
Change fuel/water seperating filter.
Grease trailer bearings.
Going by the manuals on this of course. Anything major I'm missing here? Any tips for the things mentioned?
Oh, yeah. Putting on a new prop too.
Thanks.

 

[meesh]

Re: First time doing engine maintenance. Tips??

pull the drive, check aignment, grease the ujoints and input shaft splines and check the gimbal bearing for roughness.

 

[gerds]

Re: First time doing engine maintenance. Tips??

Ah yes, forgot to mention U joints. Check gimbal bearing...got it.

 

[Don S]

Re: First time doing engine maintenance. Tips??

Go up to the Adults Only sticdky at the top of the page. Read both the WInterization and Summerization threads. That will give you a good idea of what needs to be done.
Then download the service manuals for your engine and drive.
Look at the maintenance schedules for both.