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  1. JASinIL2006

    Is this fixable?

    In trying to repair a broken starter recoil spring on my 1990 4 hp Johnson outboard (model J4RDHESR), I managed to misthread the bolt that holds the starter swing assembly (the part that swings up to engage the flywheel when pulling the rope) to the side of the engine block. As you can see in...
  2. JASinIL2006

    12v LED lighting for cabin

    We have a cabin that is off the grid and has no electrical service. We currently run everything (fridge, stove, lights) off propane, but propane lamps aren't all that bright and when several are lit in the summertime, they add to the heat in the cabin. I am thinking about starting to install...
  3. JASinIL2006

    1990 Johnson 4 hp starter recoil spring

    Hi all, I have a 1990 pull-start Johnson 4 hp outboard (model J4RDHESR) that has a broken recoil spring on the starter mechanism. (The spring snapped right near the end that attaches to the cup assembly. My first question: is this a fairly simple repair that I could do myself? I'm not a...
  4. JASinIL2006

    Removing/Reinstalling Alpha One Gen 2 Drive

    I think you are referring to the Shift Shaft Slide Stabilizer (#91-865232). It is an orange plastic piece that holds the shift slide in place while you slide the drive on. I managed to get along without one the first several years I owned my boat. The orange piece does make it a little easier to...
  5. JASinIL2006

    Source for "Christmas trees"?

    Hi all, I'm trying to find a source for some of those barbed plastic pieces (aka, Christmas trees) for installing cushions into my boat. Does anyone have a source for them? I would like to find some that are close in size to what I pulled out of my cushions, but every place I've found sells...
  6. JASinIL2006

    Better gaskets for drain and vent plugs on Alpha 1 Gen 2?

    I've read here a few times that the blue and yellow gaskets used to seal the vent and drain plugs on the Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrives are prone to leaking. I also recall reading about another type of gasket - a grey one, maybe? - that is supposed to be superior. I cannot find any links to the...
  7. JASinIL2006

    Hurricane Matthew - stay safe, East Coast iboaters!

    As have many of us, I've been watching the tracking predictions for Hurricane Matthew. I have family in West Palm Beach, so I've been particularly interested. It looks like this storm is going to play havoc with much of the East coast. I hope those in storm's path have either fled or are have...
  8. JASinIL2006

    What is this on my tire?

    I was prepping my boat and trailer for an outing tomorrow, and I noticed something on my radial trailer tires that I don't recall seeing before. There are a couple of indentations that run in a line from the center of the tire to the outside (see pic below; I've circled the more prominent one)...
  9. JASinIL2006

    Time to learn to weld...

    I've decided it's time for me to learn how to weld. I have some light welding on the boat trailer step, and I often have other little projects that would be much easier if I could weld. Can anyone recommend good resources for a beginner to learn? I imagine I'd be looking at MIG welding. Also...
  10. JASinIL2006

    Johnson Bombardier 9.9 won't exceed idle speed

    We have a Johnson Bombardier 9.9 HP outboard (model #J10RSR) that ran fine when last used (early June '16). It sat unused until mid-July. In July, the motor started fine and idled smoothly, but cranking the throttle (it's a tiller steer model) made no difference. The engine wouldn't rev (in gear...
  11. JASinIL2006

    Damaged anti-ventilation plate

    I damaged the anti-vent plate on my Gen 2 drive... Am I correct in assuming I can wait until the off-season to have this repaired? Thanks!
  12. JASinIL2006

    Broke shift shaft coupler when installing outdrive

    A friend called me while trying to install his Alpha One Gen 1 outdrive. The shift shaft coupler on the bell housing was not lining up with the drive shaft coupler on the outdrive. From his description, it sounded like both were oriented correctly (i.e., both the drive and boat were in forward...
  13. JASinIL2006

    Lower shift cable routing - Alpha One Gen 2 - V8

    As part of a bellows job, I'm replacing my lower shift cable. Unfortunately, I was following the manual and it makes no reference to leaving behind the shift cable core or some other sort of line to serve as a fishing line to pull thru the new shift cable. So, I've been struggling with getting...
  14. JASinIL2006

    Struggling with bellows job...

    I've begun the job of replacing the trim senders, shift cable and bellows (u-joint and shift cable) on my Alpha One Gen 2 drive. I hope to reuse the exhaust bellows and the water inlet tube, in addition to the gear lube monitor. I've been able to get the shift cable out, the senders off, and...
  15. JASinIL2006

    Fix for spare tire mount on Toyota Sienna?

    We have a 2013 Toyota Sienna minivan. This weekend while driving, I heard a thump like I ran over something. I looked behind my in the rear view mirror and saw a tire laying in the road. Turns out it was our spare tire! In our case, we luckily weren't at highway speed, nor was there anyone...
  16. JASinIL2006

    Main forum page not updating?

    When I check out the main forum page to see if any of the areas I visit have new messages, it indicates that many of the sub-forums have had no activity since my list visit, and the 'most recent thread' is from yesterday or earlier. If I click on the sub-forum name and visit that page, though...
  17. JASinIL2006

    Best video of bellows removal and replacement?

    I'm looking for a good video that illustrates the complete process of removing old bellows and installing new bellows for an Alpha One Gen 2. I've seen several on Youtube, but they don't really show the actual process -- they seem to show what it looks like AFTER the work is done. Are there any...
  18. JASinIL2006

    Water in bellows

    Hi all, I pulled my outdrive the other day for winter storage and servicing, and when I removed it, I found water in the bellows (see first picture below).I did a cursory check of the bellows (it was pretty dark out) and I couldn't see or feel any holes or tears. As I was checking things out, I...
  19. JASinIL2006

    Recommendations for a good fluid extractor for oil changes?

    Hi all, I just finished this year's winterizing of my engine and boat, and I'm ready for a new fluid extractor for oil changing. Several years ago, I purchased a Moeller 5.0 liter Fluid Extractor (the kind that extracts out of the dipstick tube). It worked OK the first couple of times I used...
  20. JASinIL2006

    Can I buy just a bow mount bracket for a MinnKota trolling motor?

    Hi all, I picked up a used MinnKota Endura trolling motor for a reasonable price, but it has a transom mount and I'd really like to be able to mount the motor on the bow. I've looked online a bit, and I can't seem to find anyone that sells the bow mount bracket without the the trolling motor...
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