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  1. M

    How to Pull Start My Mariner

    Kind of a dumb question, because I really should know this. I've got an '82 Mariner, 30 HP with electric start/remote controls. I've always taken comfort that, in the event of battery failure, I can use the pull start to get back underway. However, I've never actually done this and, thinking...
  2. M

    30 HP, '82 Mariner, Cooling System Diagnosis???

    May have found part of problem. See photo. I have no idea how this happened (or, how it could happen). Anyways, this is what I found when I pulled the pump cartridge - see one impeller vane reversed. Just a quickie analysis indicates close to 20% reduction in pumping capacity :( OK, now to...
  3. M

    30 HP, '82 Mariner, Cooling System Diagnosis???

    Got an overheating issue. Overheated on the water. Got it to cool down by pulling thermostat). Replaced thermostat and now, running in a barrel, overheats at idle (cylinder head gauge indicates temperature raises steadily to 200+ degrees F) and temperature starts to drop down (to 145 degrees F...
  4. M

    Do Impellers Have a Use-By Date?

    Just curious - I get my impellers on-line. Usually order 2 at a time to make more efficient use of shipping costs. So, I'll install one and keep the other as a spare. Then, next time I'm due for a routine impeller replacement I'll put in the spare (that has been sitting, in original package...
  5. M

    Overheating - Was It The Thermostat?

    I've got a 1982 30 HP Mariner. Took a run in San Diego Bay this a.m. All seemed normal. Good flow from tell-tale. Didn't notice the exact head temperature, but didn't recall it being excessive (normally shows in the 145-150 degree range, again, on my home made head gauge). Shut the motor down to...
  6. M

    New Bunk Glides Work Great!

    Been trying different ideas for making launch/retrieve go more smoothly. Even tried the HF Hitch Extender. Finally got the "Glide Stick" from West. Worked great. Parked high and dry. One hand (75 Y.O. hand, at that) push off. Easy retrieve. Plus no more trapping moisture against aluminum...
  7. M

    Is There a Spark/Ignition Tester I Can Actually See?

    Here I am, single-handedly ignition testing any hand-cranked small engine (outboard, lawn mower, whatever). Hook up my spark tester, pull the cord, and ...... Huh. Did it spark or not? Couldn't see because of my motion pulling the cord. Or maybe my vision is just too bad. Anyways, I always...
  8. M

    Briggs and Stratton Ignition Coil - Can Anyone Explain This?

    I'm working on a 10 HP B&S motor. The ignition coil is the "Magnetron" (solid state, no points) type. Here's what's confusing me. Based on my readings, in a good coil, the resistance between the kill switch lug and the coil frame should be 0 ohms. When installed, the coil frame is grounded...
  9. M

    How to Remove a Briggs and Stratton Fuel Cut Off Valve Assembly??

    I'm rehabbing a B&S gas engine powered generator. The motor is a 10 HP B&S with a plastic fuel tank mounted above the entire assembly. The tank has a couple of gallons of what once (long, long ago) may have been gasoline inside. Outlet is on the bottom of the tank, through a cut off valve...
  10. M

    Drive Shaft Spline Grease for Mariner

    Just realized I've been putting the wrong grease on the drive shaft splines of my 1982 30 HP Mariner. I've been using the stuff intended for the various zerks around the motor/mount. Took a closer look and realized that the splines require a high-temp, high-compression grease. I've had the LU...
  11. M

    Tie Down Bearing Protector

    I finally decided to retire my leaking 35 YO Bearing Buddy bearing protectors. Got a pair of 1.98 D units by Tie Down Engineering at West (would have bought Bearing Buddy, but they didn't have them). Anyways, not much user info in the package. Unlike my old Bearing Buddy units, these have...
  12. M

    Mid-day Sunday, Hanging at the Launch Ramp

    Had to go to West on Point Loma today. As usual, swung by the Shelter Island Launch Ramp to scope out boats/trailers/people/etc. Some notable items from about 15 minutes of hanging: Lots of activity. Makes me glad I can do my boating on non-holiday week days. Don't want to rub it in, but...
  13. M

    Question on GFI for Electric Heated Spa?

    My spa was hooked up back in the 1980's, simpler times. It had a 40 A, 240 V circuit (4-wire) leading to the spa. The spa power pack had (still has) a GFI that protects the 120 V circuits (pump low speed, air pump, light), but not the 240 V heater. Last year I had the circuit upgraded to...
  14. M

    Primary Wire for 120/240 Volts AC?

    I'm doing some repairs on my electric spa heater. This will involve replacing some pieces of #10 and #12 stranded wire. The only stranded wire in those sizes I can find in my local hardware store/HD store is Primary wire - which I understand is usually used for DC applications in boats, autos...
  15. M

    Question on Bunk Modifications

    Going to add Glide Sticks to my bunks and have a couple of questions (I'll be pulling the bunks to add the sticks). First, see photo(s). The bunks are canted in slightly towards the center of the trailer, to clear the stiffening ridges. As a result, the hull bears on the outside edges of each...
  16. M

    Stripped Thread on One of Water Pump Mounting Holes - Helicoil?

    Wouldn't you know - the bottoming tap came yesterday just after I'd shut down operations for the day. Had a little time today, so, first thing, verified that the bottoming tap fit the previously tapped test hole. It did. Then, using my 1/2" plate "guide" drilled out the hole. The Helicoil...
  17. M

    Stripped Thread on One of Water Pump Mounting Holes - Helicoil?

    Got my first delivery from Amazon today - the basic Helicoil kit for the 6mm x 1 thread inserts. The inserts are all 9mm (1.5D) long, so I think one will go in my LU without cutting it down. Still waiting for the delivery of the bottoming tap - maybe today or tomorrow, but, I did a couple of...
  18. M

    Re-Torque Head Bolts?

    Appears a number of you do this as part of annual maintenance. Seems like a good idea, but I'm not sure exactly how to do it. I think I read somewhere that if I come by every year and just tighten them to the torque spec I'll be increasing the actual torque on the bolts each year. So, what's...
  19. M

    Anybody Fish San Diego Bay?

    ..... and care to share good spots/gear recs./techniques? Been going out once in a while for past 2 years with minimal success - mostly in the eel grass area between the end of Shelter Island and America's Cup Harbor. Not a big deal, since it's nice just being out there for awhile. But...
  20. M

    Stripped Thread on One of Water Pump Mounting Holes - Helicoil?

    See attached photo. Arrow points to stripped (blind) hole. A little beeswax on drill and tap, some tape over a couple of openings, and, no problem.
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