Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

[neal64ss]

My 1999 Glastron GS-205 has a 5.7L Mercruiser V8 engine, serial number on motor is 0K156365. Can anyone confirm this serial number is correct for this year boat? I question that this is the origional engine.<br /><br />Also, I bought some MR43LTS spark plugs for this engine but noticed the shank was much longer than the plugs in the engine when I purchased it, they are R43TS.<br /><br />I am afraid to put the longer plugs in as I am concerned with clearance between the plug tip and the piston. Should I use NGK BR6FS or NGK BPR6FS instead? Mercury parts express list part number 33-898264 for the spark plug. (thats no help)<br /><br />The more I learn about boating the more I question the previous owner(s) ability to correctly repair anything on this boat and therefore do not trust that the plugs in the engine currently are the correct ones.<br /><br />I am confused and hope someone can point me in the right direction for my spring time tune-up.

 

[Don S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

BR6FS is the plug you want for that serial number.<br />Also, you might want to look at your hull number, it should be GLAN8206K697 which is for a 97 boat, not a 99. Your engine is also a 97 model.<br />ENG: 0K156365 457B100KT 1997M MERCRUISER 5.7L ALPHA <br />DRV: 0K058966 5010162KS 1997 MERCRUISER ALPHA 1.62:1 <br /><br />You also should be looking for Mercruiser service manual number 17, PN 90-823225--1 for your engine, for your Alpha I Gen II drive, here is a link to the online Merc manual. Exactly the same as the paper version.<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[dodge1971340]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

My seloc manual says for that ser # 1997 motor champion spark plug is MR43T gap is 0.035. the reason the years dont match is they put a left over motor in at manufactor or some one re powered your boat prev. But a 1999 prob manufactor. your boat should have a plate that has size motor and year and wot and spark plug and gap i would cheak there first to make sure. hope i helped Good day and God bless!! GP

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Don.......should he check to see if he has a Vortec or not?<br /><br />I know my engine does not match the s/n as it was replaced but the same cover was used over the flame arrestor........I think this whole s/n could be misleading with a used boat.<br /><br />Sounds like he bought plugs for Vortec heads but, the plugs he took out were the non-Vortec version.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Whether it's a 99 Or a 97,...... It Should be sporting Vortec Heads......You'd have to nail down the Date of Manufacture........<br />And,.....<br />The MR43LTS IS the plug for those heads.......<br /><br />Tony's Also Very Right,........He's updated his block/serial# by bolting on Vortecs.......<br /><br />My motor was a Shattered Frozen Block when I got it,......<br />I carry the Merc. serial # tag in my checkbook for easy reference,....... Just because Most of the "Stuff" bolted to my motor,.... Does still match that serial #.........<br />I'm Waiting on NAPA to come thru with My MR43TS plugs............Backordered..........<br /><br />Neal,....... If it were Me,.....and it isn't......<br /><br />I'd load in a few of the MR43LTS that you have,+ Rotate the motor By Hand, with the remaining plugs Out.......<br />If I felt No Contacts, or other signs of a Problem,.......<br />I'd pull the plugs back out,+ Inspect them for evidence of any problems......<br />If I was still Happy,......<br />I'd Install them,+ Enjoy the fact that you Do have the Vortec Heads.........<br /><br />Or,........<br />You can "Play It Safe",+ run the MR43TS plugs,.... Which will run Just Fine in Any of the Heads.........

 

[John_S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

From my research, '97 was a transition year. There was 5.7L, 5.7LX, and I think even 350 mag carbed, with the old style heads. It had to say "GEN+" to have vortec heads. '98 engines, were all vortec. <br /><br />At this point in time, it could have anything for heads. To see if you have vortec heads, count the number of bolts holding on the intake manifold. Old style heads, like my '97 L, have 12 bolts. Vortec heads have only 8 bolts. Along the center of the heads, will be the absense of the center intake bolts. There is no exhaust crossover on vortec heads. <br /><br />NGK BR6FS or AC MR43T are the standard plug for the old style heaad. Extended tip plugs are suppose to run better on these heads: NGK BPR6FS or AC MR43TS. The tip should be the only difference you see. The treaded part of the plugs, should be the same.<br /><br />Vortec heads use: NGK BPR6EFS or AC MR43LTS. Late models, I believe use a different, platinum plug.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

I agree with John.......I would check the intake manifold to determine which heads are installed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

If is engine is indead the Mercruiser engine with serial number 0K156365, then he needs the NGK BR6FS or AC MR43T. I looked it up by SN, not year or type engine or anything else. Just did a copy and paste of the SN.<br /><br />If you guys look at the original post he gave a serial number and asked which plug and that is what I gave him, not just a bunch of speculation. Are we going to start assuming everyone that has a serial number actually has something else?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Are we going to start assuming everyone that has a serial number actually has something else?

Nope,............<br /><br /> No more than I'm going to Assume that just because a serial # Is Stated,.... <br />That it's the RIGHT 1........<br />

5.7L Mercruiser V8 engine, serial number on motor is 0K156365. Can anyone confirm this serial number is correct for this year boat? I question that this is the origional engine.<br />

That sure Doesn't sound like That serial # is a Known Fact.........<br /><br />And,...... Due to the Unknown,...... I stated,.....<br />

You can "Play It Safe",+ run the MR43TS plugs,.... Which will run Just Fine in Any of the Heads.........

'Cause,.... That IS a Fact......

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

No one is trying to start an argument Don.........<br /><br />But if it was me, I would question which is the correct plug being what is called out for as per s/n and what was installed is different.......<br /><br />

Also, I bought some MR43LTS spark plugs for this engine but noticed the shank was much longer than the plugs in the engine when I purchased it, they are R43TS.<br />

 

[Don S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Bondo, he was calling his 97 BOAT a 99. But his boats Hull ID # and engine serial numbers are all 97. <br />He was probably having problems finding parts because he was going by year, and then trying to locate the sn and it wouldn't show up with his serial number in it. Eveything for 99 is an 0Mxxxxxxx series or newer.<br />And I agree that putting the MR43TS in wouldn't hurt. But I was also under the impression he was looking for the Correct plug, not just one that would work.

 

[neal64ss]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Thanks to all, turns out I have a 1999 Glastron GS-205 with a complete numbers matching 1997 model 350 (non-vortec) alpha one powertrain. I went with the MR43T plugs and the boat is running great.<br /><br />The numbers on the carb cover, engine, gimble housing, and drive all match, however they do not match the numbers on the hull ID riveted to the transom. Could the boat have come from the factory this way or have I bought a boat that has had a complete engine and drive repower? Why would anyone need to completely repower a 5 year old (when I bought it) boat?

 

[Don S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Neal, if you look at my first reply I mentioned the Hull number should have been GLAN8206K697. Now, just go look at the back of the boat and see if the number matches. Then look at your title and registration. Numbers get transposed sometimes, even at a DMV.

 

[neal64ss]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Hull number is US-GLA17832C999.<br /><br />The C999 is offset a little bit higher on the tag than the rest of the numbers, like it was added at a different time from the other numbers?<br /><br />What do you think, original engine or not?

 

[neal64ss]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

here is a link to a pic of my boat. It is a 1999 Glastron GS-205 to my knowledge.<br /><br /> http://www.geocities.com/neal64ss/tn_100_1583.jpg

 

[Don S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

My suggestion would be to contact Glastron<br /><br /> http://www.glastron.com/ <br /><br />Give them your hull number and the serial number of the drive and engine I listed above. Find out what the hull number is/was. Give them engine model numbers and serial numbers,picuters, and what ever else it takes to find out what you have.<br />Do you know the differences between a 97 and a 99 when looking at them?<br /><br />Even your statement points to a problem:<br />

The C999 is offset a little bit higher on the tag than the rest of the numbers, like it was added at a different time from the other numbers?<br />

What's wrong with this picture????????

 

[neal64ss]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Did I mention that this is my first boat, other than a 1997 sea doo I bought new and maintained well which gave me any issues what-so-ever.

 

[Don S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

It's very possible that someone wrecked the 97, took the complete power package out and installed it into a 99. What the boat is basically means nothing if you want to know what engine/drive parts to get. For those parts, it's still a 97 power package.

 

[neal64ss]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Update, I got a response from Glastron yesterday. They tell me the boat was built with the 97 power package in a 1999 hull. I questioned them a second time to confirm and thats what they say the paperwork they have on file states. I gave them the hull ID and they gave me the serial numbers for the engine/drive and it matches what is in the boat.<br /><br />Mabey the boat doesn't have the shady past that I thought.<br /><br />I also have finally got the boat running excellent. Top speed when I had it out a few days ago was 56 mph, does this sound right for a 20ft bowrider with a 2barrel 5.7L engine?

 

[John_S]

Re: Correct spark plug for 1999 Glastron 5.7L Mercruiser

Good to hear, the serial number issues have worked out. Sorry if I spooked ya <br /><br />Thats a decent speed, especialy if gps. I get just under 50mph with my '97 5.7L 2brl, on a 20' bowrider. Enjoy that boat!