Mercruiser Questions

[odie241]

Hello,and first,let me say this is a great site,I have learned so much as I am new to Boating,and this is my 1st boat,and everyone here seems to help eachother out.

1st Question-I have downloaded the mauals for my boat from the "Adult Section" and am having a hardtime identifying which outdrive i have and am going to supply a picture of mine.

I had the muffs hooked up and had it running,but didnt see where the water was squitring out,did see some water coming out where the exhaust was coming out,is this where it is supposed to be??? Plus,it says "Power Steering" but i dont see where the pump is???

2nd Question- here is a few pictures of my motor

I have already got rid of that "Car" air cleaner assembly,and purchased a used "Flame Arrestor" so that problem is fixed.Also wondering if this runs a thermostat in it? The problem i have is the fuel filter he has one here.He has by-passed the "fuel water seperator" for some reason,and put a plastic in-line filer as you can see in the pictires.I am currently in the process of taking that filter off of there,and am going to try and hooked up the water seperator again,and was wondering,should i run "Steel Fuel lines from the seperator to the carburator,or should i use high temp rubber fuel line??? 2 people that i have chatted with have said rubber would be fine,I am an Auto Mechanic by trade,and dont know nothing about boats,so this is an learning experience for me.They said that this engine wont get as hot as a car engine?? I am clueless,and am hoping to get all the bugs worked out so i can hit the water for memorial day weekend.I just want to make it as safe as possible,and do it all the rightway the first time.Thanks for the help in advance =)

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

Yeah, your fuel system is all messed up. I would be checking to make sure the carb and the fuel pump are both marine. If not, if they fail, they could be dumping raw gas into your bilge.
Your Water seperating fuel filter should have steel lines both to the filter from the pump (that one is in the picture) and one to the carb. I usually get a 3/8" steel brake line from NAPA, that has double flares on each end, the bend to the proper shape, cut to length and reflare the one end.
Hose is legal, as long as you use the proper barbed fittings in the carb and the filter. But the carbes are normally reverse flare and don't have hose barbs (not the pushon style with the deep/sharp barbs.
On your water seperator, you also shouldn't be using cast fittings. They should be the machined brass fittings.
The reason I mention the fuel pump is because I do not see a fitting for the clear tube that goes to the carb incase of a diaphram failure.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

Hello,and first,let me say this is a great site,I have learned so much as I am new to Boating,and this is my 1st boat,and everyone here seems to help eachother out.

1st Question-I have downloaded the mauals for my boat from the "Adult Section" and am having a hardtime identifying which outdrive i have and am going to supply a picture of mine.

I had the muffs hooked up and had it running,but didnt see where the water was squitring out,did see some water coming out where the exhaust was coming out,is this where it is supposed to be??? Plus,it says "Power Steering" but i dont see where the pump is???

2nd Question- here is a few pictures of my motor

I have already got rid of that "Car" air cleaner assembly,and purchased a used "Flame Arrestor" so that problem is fixed.Also wondering if this runs a thermostat in it? The problem i have is the fuel filter he has one here.He has by-passed the "fuel water seperator" for some reason,and put a plastic in-line filer as you can see in the pictires.I am currently in the process of taking that filter off of there,and am going to try and hooked up the water seperator again,and was wondering,should i run "Steel Fuel lines from the seperator to the carburator,or should i use high temp rubber fuel line??? 2 people that i have chatted with have said rubber would be fine,I am an Auto Mechanic by trade,and dont know nothing about boats,so this is an learning experience for me.They said that this engine wont get as hot as a car engine?? I am clueless,and am hoping to get all the bugs worked out so i can hit the water for memorial day weekend.I just want to make it as safe as possible,and do it all the rightway the first time.Thanks for the help in advance =)

Firstly...the engine in your picture does not have any power steering. It is a belt driven pump, just like in your car, and you are lacking that.

Second...There are NO plastic fuel filters that are legal for your setup, and if you ever get stopped by the water cops you will probably get a nasty ticket. I would look for a diagram covering the spin-on that you have, keeping in mind that the fuel is supposed to go to the filter...THEN to the fuel pump...and from the fuel pump to the carb. The fuel filter should NEVER be on the pressure side of the fuel pump. There are OEM steel lines to do all of this--you just have to do some reasearch.

Happy boating!

 

[odie241]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

Thanks for the quick reply.Would this work on my motor?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...8034356QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear
Throw a rebuild kit in it to make sure its up to par..I am going to call the parts stores tomorrow and see if i can find a marine fuelpump,thats why i love this site,everyone is looking out for one another =) I will also pick up some 3/8 brake line tomorrow with some brass fittings,I have a flaring kit that will do the job nicely.Do you know what outdrive model that is? Was wondering what type of fluid i needed to put in it,as i want to change the fluids

 

[odie241]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

Firstly...the engine in your picture does not have any power steering. It is a belt driven pump, just like in your car, and you are lacking that.

Second...There are NO plastic fuel filters that are legal for your setup, and if you ever get stopped by the water cops you will probably get a nasty ticket. I would look for a diagram covering the spin-on that you have, keeping in mind that the fuel is supposed to go to the filter...THEN to the fuel pump...and from the fuel pump to the carb. The fuel filter should NEVER be on the pressure side of the fuel pump. There are OEM steel lines to do all of this--you just have to do some reasearch.

Happy boating!

Thanks Rocky,I already have taken the plastic filter off of there,knowing that wasnt safe,or legal as from Ive read in posts on here.been looking for a diagram for a while now,and for the OEM lines.The carb is not Original,its an after market edelbrock carb,that was told by the previous owner on the phone just now that it was a marine legit carb ( just bought this boat 3 weeks ago) getting ready to install ac delco sparkplugs,with some anti seeze on the threads for future replacement.thanks for all the help

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

Love to see the 400 SBC! Should be a nice torquey motor. That alternator does not look like it has the proper spark cover on the back of it as well. Hard to see from the picture.
Hope you have a lot of luck with it!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

Also.
I believe you have The "R" drive is also known as a #1 (number one) drive.
It is often referred to as a "Pre-Alpha" drive as it was made
before the newer Alpha One Drive.

The Older style of the the "R" drive is evidenced by several things.
1. Crowned, rounded driveshaft housing where the unit mates to the bellhousing.
2. Rear end of cavitation plate is rounded off.
3. Ribs on sides of driveshaft housing. (Which looks like you have)
4. Top cap has a lifting ring. (Which looks like you have)
5. Pre-load pin on top of lower driveshaft. (Can't tell without separating the lower unit off the upper)

 

[odie241]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

Love to see the 400 SBC! Should be a nice torquey motor. That alternator does not look like it has the proper spark cover on the back of it as well. Hard to see from the picture.
Hope you have a lot of luck with it!

Thanks Eric for all your help,i looked at the alternator just now,and your right,it doesnt have that cover on it,its a regular car alternator,so i did a search on ebay,and found this,and just purchased it.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Its even the right year for my boat,but for a 350,which there is hardly no difference from the 400,just lower end different,different bore and stroke.Hopefully the shipping time isnt lying,and i get it by friday of nextweek,so i can make it on the water for memorial day weekend,and if not, i would rather be safe then sorry.Thanks for idendtifying the outdrive also,now i can use the correct fluid,from what Ive read in some posts here,that the best to use is the "Mercruiser High Performance.Which kind do you recommend??

Or

It seems the guy i bought this from wasnt operating a very safe vessel,he had it in the water all last year like it sits now.Any other recommendations?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

You can get away with the premium, it is a little cheaper then the high performance lube.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

This looks like your setup:

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...1014&bnbr=120&bdesc=FUEL+PUMP+AND+FUEL+FILTER

 

[odie241]

Re: Mercruiser Questions

You can get away with the premium, it is a little cheaper then the high performance lube.

Thanks for the info,They have the premium at my local Advanced Auto parts store.

This looks like your setup:

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...1014&bnbr=120&bdesc=FUEL+PUMP+AND+FUEL+FILTER

Thanks Rocky for taking the time out of your life to help me out,thats just perfect,everything i need to run it the right way.I got down real close and looked at the fuelpump,and it is definately a Marine fuel pump,it has the place for the clear line.Thank you everyone for the time it took to answer my questions.