Hello Everyone, <br />Last time I posted here I got a ton of good info and ended up replacing my gimbal ring and I am thankful for the peace of mind not having to worry about it. In doing that job, I discovered a pinhole in my oil pan. I intend to pull the engine to replace this and some other stuff (more below). The engine is a 1988 Mercruiser 7.4, with a Bravo I drive of the same year. The boat is a Stingray Maxum 222. As a disclaimer, you will not be the first to tell me not to put more money into the boat, I LIKE IT! 
I have the official Mercruiser books, the alignment tool, a friend with a heated garage and a hoist inside and yet I am still nervous. Here are my questions: <br /><br />1. I plan to avoid the stamped oil pans, however, how necessary to pay almost $1000 for a cast one? I see on cpperformance.com they have some gold iridite ones, and I have seen aluminum ones around. Are these viable alternatives? Yes, the boat goes in the salt but is kept on a trailer and never "put away wet."<br /><br />2. While the engine is out I plan to also replace the starter and forward motor mounts which look quite rusty. Any common pitfalls to avoid here?<br /><br />3. Am I forgetting anything obvious? Someone more knowledgeable than myself said in this forum to always have a look inside when the engine is out, but I don't really feel comfortable "going inside." What other parts are only accessable when the engine is removed besides the oil pan?<br /><br />I figure the worst that can happen is, I can't get everything to go back together and have to have someone do that for me, but I will still be ahead by doing the removal and new parts installation myself. right? RIGHT? <br /><br />Thanks everyone, lmk if I left out any key info.<br /><br />Mike
I have the official Mercruiser books, the alignment tool, a friend with a heated garage and a hoist inside and yet I am still nervous. Here are my questions: <br /><br />1. I plan to avoid the stamped oil pans, however, how necessary to pay almost $1000 for a cast one? I see on cpperformance.com they have some gold iridite ones, and I have seen aluminum ones around. Are these viable alternatives? Yes, the boat goes in the salt but is kept on a trailer and never "put away wet."<br /><br />2. While the engine is out I plan to also replace the starter and forward motor mounts which look quite rusty. Any common pitfalls to avoid here?<br /><br />3. Am I forgetting anything obvious? Someone more knowledgeable than myself said in this forum to always have a look inside when the engine is out, but I don't really feel comfortable "going inside." What other parts are only accessable when the engine is removed besides the oil pan?<br /><br />I figure the worst that can happen is, I can't get everything to go back together and have to have someone do that for me, but I will still be ahead by doing the removal and new parts installation myself. right? RIGHT? <br /><br />Thanks everyone, lmk if I left out any key info.<br /><br />Mike
