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  1. davemoore

    Alternator Conversion - Bolt Falls Out

    So I finally gave in and converted my 1983 Merc 470 to an alternator. The installation was a snap, and I have since revised the mounting arm from what is shown in the photo to provide for full adjustment. However - I have one huge problem: the main mounting bolt (3/8") continuously falls out...
  2. davemoore

    Gluvit or... ?

    I picked up an older 14 ft. aluminum boat recently solely for the purpose of duck hunting and possibly fishing once in a while. I knew it would need a little work when I bought it. I started sanding on the hull today as it desperately needs refinishing, and discovered that it would take a LOT...
  3. davemoore

    Trolling Motor Selection

    Hello all... just picked up a "project" duck boat the other day, and need to buy a motor for it. I don't want to bother with gas, so I'm going to use a 12V trolling motor only (don't need to go fast, just need to go). I was looking at the units they sell at BassPro - the Prowler brand. They...
  4. davemoore

    Help Identifying Boat?

    I picked up a little aluminum boat and trailer the other day (for next to nothing) but it has absolutely NOTHING on it for identification. The trailer is a Dilly Trailer made in 1971, but the boat is probably much older. We're going to strip it down and refurbish it a bit for duck hunting, but...
  5. davemoore

    Electrical Problem - Not Sure What

    While out on the lake Thursday afternoon, I started up the motor to move to a different spot and when I went to about 3/4 throttle, the engine began to bog down like it wasn't getting any fuel. I pulled back to about 1/4 throttle and it ran fine. I throttled up again, slowly, and it seemed ok...
  6. davemoore

    Tired of Jury-Rigging! / Bad New Prop?

    We've had our used boat for a little over a year now, and are still finding jury-rigged garbage on it every time we touch it... but I think today's find tops the charts. I recently bought a new prop right here on iBoats - a 14.5 x 17 Solas 4 Blade Alum with Rubex hub. When i went to put it on...
  7. davemoore

    Outdrive Support

    So, what is the real story on supporting and immobilizing my outdrive while towing? I've read several different opinions on this ... are those ram-clips really necessary? Should the drive be tied off so it doesn't swing back and forth on the road? Any thoughts?
  8. davemoore

    Taking on Water

    Ok, need some other brains working on this besides mine... Our 18 ft. runabout with Mercruiser 470 / Alpha One Drive has started taking on more water than it did last year. I removed the dog house when we were out on the lake last weekend with the engine off and tried to look and see where it...
  9. davemoore

    Weird Gear Oil

    We had our boat out today after doing a bunch of service work on it over the past 2 weeks, including a new impeller, new shutter, new coolant, new oil, and new gear oil. It ran really great, and stayed at about 150 degrees all day. When I bought the impeller kit at the Mercruiser dealer, he...
  10. davemoore

    Scratches & Small Chips - Repairing

    What is the best product to use for repairing very small scratches and chips in the hull? Talking about stuff that is about the size of a pencil eraser... Thanks, DM
  11. davemoore

    Temperature Alarm

    So, what is the easiest and least expensive way to install/connect an audible temperature alarm? Even though I'm pretty good about watching the gauges, I'd like to have something to alert me if the temp goes over ... say... 175 or 180 degrees (this boat typically never goes over 160-165, until...
  12. davemoore

    Help ID This Carb

    I think it is probably the Rochester, as it has 2 mixture screws, but am not 100% sure. Also, as I understand it, the electric choke is activated by pushing in on the key? I didn't know my key did that. Is it possible there's another way to activate it? Thanks for any help. Dave
  13. davemoore

    Loctite Freeze & Release

    Has anyone ever used this? I need to remove a seized bolt in my exhaust flange. Already broke off one, and this one has a rounded off head... I watched Loctite's little infomercial on this on YouTube, and it looks pretty impressive, but the traditional way is to use heat... Comments?
  14. davemoore

    Mercruiser Alpha One Drain Plug & Vent Plug

    Ok, so here is the question: I keep seeing/reading about gaskets (or seals) for these plugs, but my drive doesn't have any... just the plugs. I just drained and refilled the oil, and there was NO WATER in it (or shavings/flakes either), so do I really need them? Do I need to be concerned...
  15. davemoore

    Restoring Fiberglass Finish

    Does anyone have any suggestions on a good product/method to basically restore the luster to our fiberglass boat? I was thinking of using some polishing compound and a buffing wheel like they use to do cars, but just not sure what to do. The finish is just very dull and dirty, but it looks...
  16. davemoore

    Hit a snag today... Mercruiser 470 problem... not sure what

    1983 Marlin 18 ft. runabout w/Mercruiser 470 - "Alpha One" outdrive So, after doing a full tune up last week, and putting in a can of SeaFoam today, the boat was performing outstanding! The increase in torque and WOT was impressive. Today we were out on the delta, and after we had taken a...
  17. davemoore

    Newbie Questions... Basic Stuff

    Newbie here... these may be dumb questions, but how else do I learn? Boat: 1983 - 18' Marlin with Mercruiser I/O... #1: What is the rule of thumb about running the motor with the outdrive up (trailer position)? Should it NEVER be done? I noticed that when I had it running with the unit up, at...
  18. davemoore

    Need Better Acceleration

    Hello - newbie here... boat details: 1983 Marlin Mercury 18' Mercruiser 470 3.7L Sterndrive Family of 4 (two parents, 7 and 10 yr. olds) Occasional Dog (72 lbs.) Gear Been out a few times, WOT around 3600-3800. Tuned up motor today. Discovered prop is in really bad shape... 10 year old...
  19. davemoore

    Identifying drive/changing gear oil/replacing prop

    Can someone help me in identifying what unit I have? Mercruiser I/O 470 1983. I have no idea which one I have but I guess this is pretty important to know. Where do I find some identification marking? I am confused about changing the gear oil too. I expected to find a drain plug on the...
  20. davemoore

    Mercruiser Runs Rough Under Load

    Hello everyone... newbie here, our first boat, learning along the way and this forum and web site has been a great help. Our boat: 18' Marlin 1983, Mercruiser 470 I/O. Was running rough first couple times out so I replaced plugs (which were gapped almost .010 less than they should have been)...
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