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  1. Blueghost924

    1986 5.7L 260 V-8 - lack of timing marks...how to time it?

    Before I drop my boat back in the water (and after getting the stern drive water impeller changed), I'd like to check timing. A couple of folks may remember a posting I made about a month ago about how I couldn't tell what the serial number is on my engine. After a couple of pics, Achris said...
  2. Blueghost924

    Alpha One Gen 1 - remove from boat or not in order to replace water impeller

    I need to replace the water impeller from my Alpha 1 Gen 1, and the sterndrive is still installed. I've heard of people removing the entire sterndrive to get to the lower unit for the impeller replacement, and I've seen where folks raise the sterndrive and simply remove the lower unit (while...
  3. Blueghost924

    Gotta run new brakes lines - suggestions?

    I bought my 26 foot boat on a Load Master dual axle trailer with the complete intention of replacing anything that needed to be replaced (it's a 1989). It came with a Dico / Titan Model 10 disc hydraulic brake system with flex brake hose. I rebuilt and replaced the main parts of the hydraulic...
  4. Blueghost924

    Mercruiser 5.7L 260 - what's the real or entire serial number?

    Gotcha. Here's a couple more pics that hopefully will shed some more light on the engine...
  5. Blueghost924

    Mercruiser 5.7L 260 - what's the real or entire serial number?

    Hi, I can't quite read all the letters/numbers off my Mercruiser 5.7L / 260 Alpha One. I have a 1987 Regal Ambassador 255XL, but since we (boat owners) tend to swap out motors, I can't attest to this being a 1987 5.7L as well. I know the attached pic of what I can see of the serial plate isn't...
  6. Blueghost924

    Marval Mystery oil - is it really good for unsticking valves?

    I got into a discussion with a former Mercruiser tech concerning sticking valves in the Mercruiser engines. He stated that he always tried filling up each cylinder through the spark plug hole with Marval Mystery oil (like he would have done with my 350 5.7L) and let it sit for a week. Thoughts...
  7. Blueghost924

    1988 Mercruiser 5.7 260 - which are intake and which are exhaust valves on the head

    Hi, I have a 1988 Mercruiser 5.7 260 Alpha 1, and was going to follow the shop manual with the valve adjustment. I removed the spark plugs and have rotated the engine by hand to the #1 cylinder TDC. This is where I paused, because the Mercruiser manual discusses adjusting certain intake and...
  8. Blueghost924

    Mercruiser 260 5.7L in the shop for carb overhaul - got bad news about compression

    My boat is in the shop getting a carb overhaul and the stern drive reworked (they replaced the Alpha 1 shift spool). The shop technician called and said that the engine idled rough, and he said over the phone that 3 of the 8 cylinders are exhibiting low compression. He said the other 5 have...
  9. Blueghost924

    A tale of 2 Alphas...one's gonna need repair

    Hi, I purchased a boat recently with the knowledge that the sterndrive had water leaking in the bellows and was locked up (see ugly attached pic). I removed the sterndrive and set it aside. I have a spare Alpha 1 in the garage that I purchased about a year and half ago from a marina, and it's...
  10. Blueghost924

    Greasing gimbal bearing

    Hi Boat Doctor - thanks for the pics and the explanation. Looks like your pictures are of a disassembled tolerance ring from a gimbal housing where the bearing seats, and I can see where the groove will find the bearing grease hole no matter where the bearing orientation is. I guess the big...
  11. Blueghost924

    Greasing gimbal bearing

    May I add to this as well? This post has great timing, as I just replaced the gimbal bearing in my 1986 Mercruiser 260 5.7L with the Alpha 1 Gen 1. Attached is a pic, and my main concern is that I don't have it aligned with the grease port just right (with the greaser nipple being on the stbd...
  12. Blueghost924

    Mercruiser 260 5.7 Alpha 1 sterndrive locked up - swap out with 1.65?

    Hi, I recently bought a 1986 Regal Ambassador with the Mercruiser 260 V8 5.7L with the Alpha I / Gen I sterndrive. The previous owner took very good care of the engine, but apparently did not know about or keep up with sterndrive and bellows maintenance. We tried to start the engine and it...
  13. Blueghost924

    1986 Mercruiser 470 coolant leak through weep hole

    My brother in law is in the market for a boat, and has run across a 23 foot boat with the infamous Mercruiser 170. The gentleman on the phone told him that it seemed to leaking antifreeze at the bottom of the weep hole. He also told my brother in law that there's about a foot of clearance in...
  14. Blueghost924

    Maybe leaving I/O world - looking at boat w/1989 200 Johnson outboard

    Yes, after a while of having and working on the ol Mercruiser I/O engine setups, I have seen a 21 foot cuddy walkaround that has an outboard motor I may be interested in. In talking with the guy on the phone, his boat has a 1989 200HP Johnson. I don't know the particulars such as specific...
  15. Blueghost924

    Friend is buying a Volvo Penta 5.0 GXI - what to look for

    Hi, I'm a Mercruiser guy and have rebuilt and overhauled a lot of Mercruiser items on my boat, but a friend of mine is buying a 24' boat tomorrow powered by a Volvo Penta 5.0 GXI powerplant. He wants me to swing by and take a look at it before buying it to see if anything stands out as needing...
  16. Blueghost924

    Mercruiser 470 front engine mount - how to install new rubber bushing??

    I have a 1982 Mercruiser 470, and I've removed the front engine mount to replace the rubber bushing with a new one (part 32833). I'm having a heck of a time getting the old one to come out of the housing. I've taken a socket and have tried to hammer it out...I've also heated up the outside of...
  17. Blueghost924

    Swapping out Alpha 1 Gen 1 transom gimbal assembly with older generation (MC-I, etc.)

    I have a 1986 Renken 21 foot boat with the Alpha 1 Gen 1 gimbal transom assembly (gimbal housing, ring, bell housing, etc...) I have a 1982 Mercruiser 470 as the inboard. I have to replace my Alpha 1 gimbal housing due to corrosion. I looked at an older Mercruiser gimbal assembly...
  18. Blueghost924

    3 button switch trim pump solenoid - what size gauge wire main red and black wires

    Hi, I have the Mercruiser 3 button push button switch (up, up/down, in) to the dual solenoid trim pump setup to raise and lower my trim cylinders. I've recently replaced both solenoids and replaced the older wiring with new wiring, and the system works tell (cylinders raise and lower good). In...
  19. Blueghost924

    Pre-Alpha MR-I Gimble Housing ring worn - GHR repair kit opinion??

    Hi, I'm still working on my project boat and now I'm focused on getting the stern drive area worked. I've noticed that the gimble housing ring has the typical Mercruiser worn area on the underside, which is going to be problematic getting the bellows to clamp and seal. I've seen the GHR repair...
  20. Blueghost924

    1982 Mercruiser 470 3.7L - difference in air pressure with inboard cover on & off

    Hi - I have a 1982 Mercruiser 470 (the ol faithful 4 banger) with the 2 bbl carb. I've finished work on the exhaust, and started it up and ran it yesterday in the boat on the trailer at my house (not in the water). The sterndrive is not on. While I've been making maintenance repairs and...
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