New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

[azacher]

Hey all, I'm a new owner of an old boat, it's an '83 Beachcraft with an '82 model year Mercrusier 120 I/O. It's been mostly well maintained through the years, with lots of recent services completed, it does however need some engine repairs (of course...)

I have 2 quick questions, I have already searched this site as well as Google and through my Seloc manual with no definitive answers, so now as a last resort I turn to you guys...

1.) I believe my prop shaft seal is leaking, low fluid level and signs of fluid at the small gap between the backside of the prop and the lower unit. I cannot find a part number for these seals anywhere, online, etc. I find 'em for alph units and later, but not for mine...if anyone could give me a part # or a link to one for sale somewhere I would be forever grateful.

2.) When the engine is running and I initially shift from Nuetral to Drive or Reverse there is a slight repetitive knocking, that quickly goes away again once movement is achieved. I assume this is maybe a u-joint issue, but wasn't too sure how to proceed with diagnosis.

Thank you in advance for any help you may offer, I've been lurking this site for a few weeks now and it has proven to be a very valuable resource, I have found the answers to tons of questions...

 

[Snowfish]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

2.) When the engine is running and I initially shift from Nuetral to Drive or Reverse there is a slight repetitive knocking, that quickly goes away again once movement is achieved.

That's the clutch dogs trying to engage. Shift quick. Try not to let them grind.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

Welcome to Iboats! This is an awesome site and the experts on here are second to none. Dont worry, some of those experts will have all the answers you need. There are some shop manuals lurking around here that will help you more than a seloc manual. Look in the Adults Only section of the threads because that has a ton of INVALUABLE information and I believe a link to some shop manuals. Also, post pics. I've found that your question, along with a picture, helps a great deal in getting the answer you are looking for.

 

[azacher]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

That's the clutch dogs trying to engage. Shift quick. Try not to let them grind.

Cool, thank you...I should have also warned that this is my first boat, so operator error is VERY likely!!

 

[azacher]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

Welcome to Iboats! This is an awesome site and the experts on here are second to none. Dont worry, some of those experts will have all the answers you need. There are some shop manuals lurking around here that will help you more than a seloc manual. Look in the Adults Only section of the threads because that has a ton of INVALUABLE information and I believe a link to some shop manuals. Also, post pics. I've found that your question, along with a picture, helps a great deal in getting the answer you are looking for.

Thank you, and I think I will pull the prop and take some pics once completed if that will help...and I found the "adults only" section and "borrowed" many of the manuals that are still available already...

 

[Don S]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

You aren't going to be able to replace the propshaft seals without removing the carrier. Service manual #4 covers that.

One other point, get your engine and drive serial numbers if available. DO NOT assume that the year of your boat is also the year of your motor and drive.

 

[azacher]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

You aren't going to be able to replace the propshaft seals without removing the carrier. Service manual #4 covers that.

One other point, get your engine and drive serial numbers if available. DO NOT assume that the year of your boat is also the year of your motor and drive.

You are 100% correct on that one, my boat is an '83 but all of my engine parts and id have shown the engine and drive to actually be an '82, which is critical as '82 was the last year of that style before Merc switched to the "new" style.

 

[azacher]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

That's the clutch dogs trying to engage. Shift quick. Try not to let them grind.

I had it running on muffs again the other day and it seems that no matter how fast I shift into gear I still get the noise, I've been reading thorugh some of the other threads on this issue and it seems like it may be the shifter cable is out of adjustment?

Any other guesses out there??? Or is it just normal for a merc to make this kind of racket when being pushed into gear???

 

[swihartart]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

I'm going with shift cable needs adjusted or replaced with the shift issue. Also, I second the you have to shift quickly comments.

 

[azacher]

Re: New guy...just a couple of easy questions...

Thank you, I adjusted my cables before heading out and found about 1/2" of slack/mis adjustment. Once I put it back into spec as per the service manual the noise is almost completely gone. Must have been the dogs barking!!