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  1. J

    Boat Floor Question - Replace or Not Replace?

    Hey Guys, I'm posting this to see if my gut is right about this one. Recently purchased a boat that appears to have a solid floor when I walk on it. Now the kicker is for roughly a month or so before I bought the boat the seller took the cover off and gave it to another buyer on this other...
  2. J

    Trailer Under Water Four Months... Bearings, Axle Concerns? Input ASAP!!

    Hey Guys, Here is the scoop. I have an opportunity to purchase a Sea Ray 207 boat that was tied to a tree close to a cabin where the area flooded and the boat floated roughly 3 to 4 months with the trailer attached. **The trailer was under water for 3 to 4 months** The trailer has not been...
  3. J

    Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

    I would like to hear from people who have owned the Mercruiser 898 V8 - GM 305. From what I know this engine is rated at 198hp and believe is a 2-barrel application. Was this a fast engine? Slow engine? Very torquey engine? Reliable or not? I don't know anything about this engine as...
  4. J

    1989 Mercruiser 4.3 V6 2Barrel 175HP - UPgrade Question

    I would like to know what amount of HP increase I should expect if I did the following change out on a 4.3 2-Barrell rated at 175hp.. Put rebuilt or used 4.3 Vortec heads + 4 barrel Carb, and intake designed for 4-barrel & added performance. How much HP increase should I expect? Can I get...
  5. J

    1983 4.3 Outdrive Fit on 1980 350 5.7 OMC Outdrive?

    I would like to know if the silver OMC outdrive on my 1983 4.3L will fit the same outdrive application on an OMC 1980 350 V8? Is the gear ratio different thus making this swap not possible?
  6. J

    Merc 305 Vs. 350 - Input Please!

    Guys, I have been swamped with options between different boats expecially this time of year. I don't like boat payment so yes I'm looking at older boats typically in the $700 to $2,000 range depending on the boat. Yes these boats need some interior work but the engines are solid and the hull...
  7. J

    Compression Readings.. V8 5.7 Need Input Please!!

    Hey Guys, I need your opion on the following compression reading regarding the health of this engine that is for sale. Seller says it runs good, it's an older 1978 V8 5.7 Merc. He told me he took the following reading when he ran the engine cold. Does it really make a difference with cold...
  8. J

    OMC 800 Stringer - Reliable? Bullet Proof? Garbage?

    I have read mixed reviews on the OMC 800 Stinger. Claims like "Bullet proof" or "Poorly engineered," or "Works great as long as the fluids are changed." What is the truth? Yes parts cost a bit more I know. OMC is out of business, I know that too. What about the RELAIABILITY? The OMC year...
  9. J

    OMC Transom (Big Rubber Circle) Seal.. How Long Do They Last?

    Hey guys, I need some good advice from boat owners who know alot about these older OMC style Transom seals. My scenario is that I'm looking at possibly purchasing a boat that has this type of transom seal. Now the owner claims the seal was replaced 3 years ago. Told me boat is nice n dry...
  10. J

    1995 Starcraft 17ft Outboard Bowrider.. Nice Ride? Bad Ride? Bang Bang Ouch??

    Hey guys thinking about buying a 1995 Star 17ft bow rider with a 120 outboard on back. Similar or identical body to the 17ft IO. I need to know how does this Hull handle choppy water? Big waves? Very water / waves from other boaters? I have a 1988 star now that is a fish & ski and this boat...
  11. J

    Engine Blow By?

    Hey guys this may seem like stupid questions but I just bought a boat with a 1985 4.3 V6 and my mechanic told me the following when he timed the engine. The engine has equal compression in all 6 cylinders in the low 120's. Now my mechanic also told me that I have engine blow by and that is an...
  12. J

    Really Confused Here, Please Help!!

    Hi guys, I recently bought a boat that has a 1985 Mercruiser 4.3L and here are my problem(s).... All of the wires to the engine that go the battery are all Black? Why isn't positive red? I just couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing :eek: Well I hooked everything up the way I though...
  13. J

    1983 Mark Twain Sonic (17ft) 175 4.3L V6??? Input Please!!!

    I would like to hear from people who have owned one or know people who have. Came across a 1983 Mark Twain Sonic 175 4.3L V6 that has a 1985 4.3L in it. The exterior overall is in good shape & the interior seating is showing it's age. Was this company a good name? Good quality? Ride quality...
  14. J

    1992 Mercruiser 4.3 LX Thunderbolt IV - Good or Bad Engine? Common Problems?

    I'm thinking about buying a 18ft Bow rider 92 model with the 4.3LX Thunderbolt IV engine. My mechanic told me 4.3's are iffy. Told me that if I'm going to buy an inboard to stick with the 350 5.7 as he preferred them over the 4.3 or 5.0L engines. I need to know if the 4.3L is not a good...
  15. J

    1986 Mercruiser 3.7 Liter / 170Hp Good or Bad Engine? Please Help!!!!!

    There a 1986 Thompson with a 3.7L / 170hp for sale and I really like the boat but I need to know honestly is this engine a piece of junk? I had a 1987 Larson with a 3.7L / 165hp and sold it because my mechanic told me it was a money pit & basically a Mutt engine. The reason why he called it a...
  16. J

    1988 Evinrude V4 120 - Making Bang Noise in Higher RPM's??

    I recently switched props and the newer prop I bought from iboats and is currently on my engine so I'm little stumped here. Couple months back I replaced my 19in with 17in Hustler to get more hole shot & raise my WOT from 5200 to 5600. Here is the kicker, once I reached 4,200+ RPM's my engine...
  17. J

    Mercury Make a Better Outoard Than Evinrude? If No Please Explain

    Always hear people bragging about how Mercury makes the best outboards. Is this true? I have an Evinrude and would like to believe Evinrude is better. Your thought's please?
  18. J

    Is Synthetic Outboard Oil Worth The Extra Cost?

    I want to know the truth of Synthetic Oil & why it's worth or not worth the extra cost / investment?
  19. J

    Does Synthetic, Premium, and Regular Ashless Oil Affect Compression Tests Differently

    Hey guys, Will I see an increase in engine compression when I use Synthetic vs. Premium or Regular Ashless oil?
  20. J

    Tilt & Trim Motor Bad?

    The up / down button on my throttle control arm when I try to raise my outboard up / down will make a weak beep / chirp noise. I have replaced both relay's and still the same. Is my Tilt & Trim motor bad?
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