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  1. K

    Can I add temperature switch here?

    1978 165hp I6. Purchased an engine alarm kit with oil pressure and engine temp switches. The new temp switch is 3/8" npt and just want to make sure I install it in the right location. There are two plugs on my t'stat housing, but they look like 1/8" or 1/4" npt. One plug is right next to the...
  2. K

    20A fuse at ignition switch missing

    This is the diagram I'm referring to. I don't think I'm reading it wrong. Looks to me like the fuse is between the ammeter and the ignition switch.
  3. K

    20A fuse at ignition switch missing

    1978 Mercruiser I6 165hp. I'm doing some work on my instrument panel. . tightening connections, cleaning terminals, and maybe changing some gauges when I noticed I don't have the 20A fuse that sits between the ammeter and the ignition switch (according to the shop manual wiring diagram). I...
  4. K

    Hard starting Mercruiser 165

    Still battling my hard staring when warm issues. I thought it was the carb flooding, but after rebuilding carb, installing a phenolic spacer, and insulating the fuel line, I still get intermittent difficulty starting when warm. One other reason I'm ruling out the carb (after the aforementioned...
  5. K

    Maximum RPMs while on flush kit

    I'd like to check my advance timing on my 165hp Mercruiser. Is it ok to run the rpms up to 2800 on a flush kit? Or should I have the boat in the water when revving the engine that high?
  6. K

    Help with timing marks

    165HP mercruiser I6. Set my idle mixture screws to get a smooth idle at 700 rpm. Set my timing to 6 deg BTDC and the engine seemed to run fine. I used a vacuum gauge to get the highest vacuum when setting the mixture screws and the needle was holding at about 15 to 16 Hg. which indicates "Late...
  7. K

    Leaky idle mixture screws

    Mercruiser I6 165hp with a Rochester 2GC carb. I just happened to notice while tuning up the boat that the idle mixture screws would leak after shutting off the engine. Doesn't leak while running, 1st pic is while engine is on, and 2nd pic is about 5 minutes after shutting off engine. I've...
  8. K

    Exhaust manifold gasket leaking . . . Again!

    1978 I6 165hp mercruiser. I have another exhaust manifold leak. I had a shop change the gasket to fix the last leak only 120 hours ago. I'm going to try and change it myself this time to save some money and time (shop is booked til May). seems to me that last gasket failed too soon. What...
  9. K

    Carburetor spacer question

    Mercruiser I6 165hp. Have been battling hard starting when engine is hot and have read many posts about adding a 1/4" phenolic carburetor spacer and insulating the fuel line. Some say it's worked, some say no difference, but I'm willing to give it a try. I removed my carb and noticed the base...
  10. K

    Coil wiring surprise!!!

    165hp Mercruiser I6. I've been trying to troubleshoot my intermittent coil spark/no spark problem when I noticed how the coil is currently wired. It currently has 2 brown wires and 1 black wire are on the (+) terminal (black goes to distributor) and 2 white and 1 tan are on the (-) terminal...
  11. K

    Is there a definitive test for a bad coil?

    1978, 165HP Mercruiser I6. Fired up the boat at the launch ramp, no problem. Slow idled out passed the no wake zone, no problem. Hit the throttle, boat starts to get up on plane, then....Klunk, the engine just dies. Acted as if the coil wire to the distributor just popped off. So I lift the...
  12. K

    Trim cylinders not moving evenly

    I just installed the trim cylinders on my 165hp Mercruiser. They're not attached to the rear shaft yet so I could check their operation since they're used cylinders. When I run the pump in the up direction, the left cylinder starts extending, but the right cylinder won't start extending until...
  13. K

    ATF in my trim system??? Is this correct?

    Just replaced a leaking trim cylinder hose on a 1978 Mercruiser 165hp I/O. I noticed the fluid that leaked from the hose was red. Looks like ATF. Read through my shop manual and it indicates my trim system should be filled with 10W-30 or 10W-40. Should there have been ATF in the system to...
  14. K

    Battery cranking amps...Is more better?

    Shopping for a new starting battery for my boat. I plan on just getting an automotive battery strictly for starting the boat. It's a 165hp I6 Mercruiser. Should I choose a battery with the highest CCA/MCA rating? I figure more is better....or will too much damage the motor in any way? For...
  15. K

    RPMs way below recommended WOT-advice please

    17' bowrider, 12 degree deadrise, 1978 GM Inline 6, 165hp I/O, drive gear ration 1.65:1, current prop:15 1/2" x 19 3-blade aluminum. 2 people and gear puts the total boat weight between 2400 and 2500 lbs. Max RPM at WOT: 3900-4300 Ran the boat on the river and got these numbers: (GPS speed...
  16. K

    Prop manufacturer and pitch recommendation

    My current prop has been on the boat since I bought it used. I rarely run it at WOT. I usually cruise out to my fishing spot at about 30 mph and anchor most of the day, or troll at very low speeds. Have used it a couple seasons to pull kids in a tube on kneeboard, and the fastest I would pull...
  17. K

    Boat/trailer weighed, is this correct?

    I took my trailer to a local truck scale. The attendant was nice enough to weigh it for free. I pulled onto the scale so my tow vehicle tires were just off the scales, checked weight. Then I unhooked the trailer so it was completely off the hitch, checked weight. The weights were 2780lbs and...
  18. K

    Fuel line same as brake line?

    I'm replacing my fuel line on a Mercruiser L6 from the fuel pump to the carburator. I've read several posts mentioning using steel fuel lines or brake lines readily available from any auto parts store. Is there a difference between fuel and brake lines? Is one easier to bend than the other...
  19. K

    Fuel line 90 degree fitting

    Is it ok to use a 90 degree brass compression fitting on the fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb? I was making the last bend in the steel fuel line towards the carb with a tube bender, but the line kinked. I guess the radius of the bender is too small. I'll have to purchase a better...
  20. K

    Bugs and boat lighting

    I plan on installing some LED rope lighting under the gunwales of my boat to light the deck. Anyone have any input on whether or not the bugs will be attracted to the red or blue lights? I know I'm not going to use white lights. I want to make sure I use a color that doesn't attract bugs. I...
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