preventative measures for my 3ltre, 4cyl merc

[wcsparky05]

i purchased a boat w/ an inline 4, 3 litre merccruiser i/o engine. its an '89. i would like to know from the experts: don s, bondo,and others... what i can do to preserve the life of my boat. the motor has 407.7 hours on it and the work i have done to it is:
changed engine and lower unit oil
replaced thermostat
added water separating gas filter and new hoses
fixed blower motor (with your help)
replaced bilge pump
drained the sand out of the water intake reservoir ( i may have said that wrong)?sorry
replaced oil filter
cleaned spark arrestor
changed spark plugs
changed wires
replaced pitot (dont know if it works yet? have compressor but i dont have the right attatchement to blow air, i don't think?)
replaced impeller
replaced prop

boat starts every time but i feel i'm missing something and i'm big into preventative measurers even though they cost $$$ now! thx in advance... anything i'm missing????? pete, in n. california.

 

[Bondo]

Re: preventative measures for my 3ltre, 4cyl merc

Everything you could Possibly want to Know is in Here.........

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: preventative measures for my 3ltre, 4cyl merc

Sounds like your on the right track.At least you are not one of those "run it till it dies" kind of guys..

 

[Don S]

Re: preventative measures for my 3ltre, 4cyl merc

If you just purchaced this boat and aren't really sure what has or hasn't been done by previous owners, I would be sure to pull the drive and inspect the ujoint bellows for signs of damage or water in the bellows. Check the ujoints and gimbal bearing, and be sure to check the engine alignment (YEARLY). Disconnect the shift cable on the engine side and verify the cable is perfectly smooth and easy to move back and forth. Any stifness, replace it or you will have a dying engine when you shift.
You should also do a full tuneup. Including points, condenser, cap and rotor. Setting the dwell (if you have points type distributor), setting the timing, checking the advance timing, carb mixture adjustment, idle speed, and when you do get to the water, verify your WOT rpm is in the proper range.
Now, before you do any of that, make sure you have and have read the service manuals. You need #10 for your engine, #6 for your drive (the drive manual is in the link bondo posted).

 

[wcsparky05]

Re: preventative measures for my 3ltre, 4cyl merc

thx guys. i didn't think i was done, but damn, don! i don't know how to do all that! looks like i got some reading to do and some more books to buy! thx again.