Search results

  1. Rivergator

    Boat Trailer Tail Lights

    I installed new LED tail lights on my trailer and I am pretty sure that the wiring was done right and I am also pretty sure that the problem is with the source, a 2004 Chevy Tahoe with factory towing package. Here is what happens: It does not matter whether the trailer is hooked up to the tow...
  2. Rivergator

    Very difficult to shift into Neutral

    Long time away from iboats. This is Rivergator. I had my boat now 3 times in the water for testing purposes and to make on the water adjustments. I couldn't be happier considering that I completely restored this Katrina wreck. I still need to do some upholstery and cosmetic work but all the...
  3. Rivergator

    Water on top of Intake Manifold

    After several years of restoring my 1988 Sylvan bow rider, Saturday finally came the big moment of truth. After some earlier preliminary quick dry starts to see if the 4.3 ltr engine actually fires up, which it did, Saturday was the day to see if it actually runs normally for at least 1/2 hour...
  4. Rivergator

    No Spark on 1988 4.3 ltr. engine

    The engine has no spark on any of the 6 plugs. I pulled the plugs and had my wife crank the engine. I grounded each plug and visually checked for a spark, nothing. I even dared to touch the plug to see if I get zapped, nothing. Then I proceeded to follow the test procedure for the thunderbolt IV...
  5. Rivergator

    Power Trim Control Panel

    I need your help to clear up a lot of confusion on my part about the power trim system. As you know, I don't know much about my own boat because I never had a chance to drive it since I bought it several years ago, because it was trashed and needed a complete restoration of which I am almost...
  6. Rivergator

    Priming a Rebuild Engine

    I know everything drags on with me. Last spring I rebuilt the 4.3 ltr engine for my 1988 Sylvan. In August I put the engine back into the boat. Then I ran into what I thought were problems with the starter but it was something else. Now I just got done with the coupler/gimbal bearing alignment...
  7. Rivergator

    Gimbal Bearing Science

    The gimbal bearing in my Alpha One Gen1 housing right now happens to be the sealed (non-greasable) type. The bearing itself feels good, solid and tight but it feels that it is lacking grease. You can tell by turning it by hand that it just doesn't have that draggy feeling of a well greased...
  8. Rivergator

    Alignment Tool

    I just received my after market alignment tool and went to work to give it a preliminary quickie test (I don't want to make the same mistake I did with my starter and assume it is fine). Right off the bat I am having nothing but trouble. I have a spline shaft that I can insert about 1/4 in to...
  9. Rivergator

    1988 4.3 ltr engine starter wiring

    I am having a problem with my brand new starter and I think I may have screwed up the way I wired it. The manual is not clear on what wires go where. I know the main +cable from the battery goes to the big post on top of the starter. Then there is an orange wire that looks like it is going to...
  10. Rivergator

    Engine to Outdrive Alignment Tool

    The engine is back in the boat and I am about to embark on the gimbal/coupler alignment. I understand that I need the alignment tool to do that, which I was about to order but haven't yet, because I came down with the following idea. I have a brand new drive spline which has not yet been...
  11. Rivergator

    How to measure a Uflex M86 steering cable

    I am in the process of replacing the steering cable. The old cable was a Teleflex SSC12418 cable which was a bit too long. I am going to replace that cable with a Uflex M86 cable which is less expensive and has excellent reviews. My dilemma is I don't know how to order that cable not knowing if...
  12. Rivergator

    The easy way to install Alpha One/Gen1 bellows

    I am in the process of putting my whole Alpha One gimbal housing assembly back together. Every component of it has been gone over, repaired, serviced, painted. Anything that was not up to par has been replaced. The gimbal ring is back in the gimbal housing, both bellows have been properly...
  13. Rivergator

    Exhaust Flappers too tight

    I received a set of new flappers 807166A3 for my 1988 Y pipe and I have 2 questions. Are these the right flappers for Y pipe 44265-C and if they are has anybody ever had a problem with any of the flappers (OEM or aftermarket) not fitting. The ones I received are a wee bit too large in diameter...
  14. Rivergator

    Alpha One/Gen1 Bell Housing Shift Shaft Bushings

    I am having a big problem with the shift shaft bushing kit 23-805041A2. I purchased a high quality kit from SEI part #9D-106-24K. This kit is the right kit for my Alpha One/Gen1 drive so it says. I read a few reviews about this kit ( including different brands) and the biggest complaint is that...
  15. Rivergator

    Restoring my drive bell housing

    After the success of my Y pipe restoration I felt empowered to do the same to my bell housing. Unfortunately my original bell housing was beyond any hope of repair. The corrosion had eaten away most of the bellow rim way beyond the groove. I knew I needed to shop for a new one. The best I saw on...
  16. Rivergator

    Restoring my Y pipe

    With online prices for Mercruiser parts escalating I decided to have my Y exhaust pipe repaired. Unfortunately, It is not something that is offered already by some clever entrepreneur, but it was a brain fart I had and something that I would certainly look into doing if I was 20 years younger...
  17. Rivergator

    NPT or NPS

    Mercruiser part: 22-42683 3/4x3/4 brass hose barb. Does anybody know what thread this is? I know it is a 3/4"-14 but I need to know whether it is a NPT (tapered) or NPS (straight). The reason for my question is I need to replace the barb and I want to chase (clean) the female thread in the bell...
  18. Rivergator

    Mercury Remote Control on 1988 Sylvan

    I need to remove the remote control which is mounted starboard on the side panel of my boat, because there are some issues with the panel I need to address. Can anybody help, because I am stuck for sure. I am unable to remove the whole panel with the remote on it. Also can anybody tell me the...
  19. Rivergator

    Overhauling my 1988 Alpha One Drive Train

    ............continued from "Overhauling my 1988 Mercruiser 4.3 ltr engine" I am about to start cleaning up and restoring the bilge of my 1988 Sylvan bow rider and going over the transom assembly I started with a thorough clean up of the inside of bellows, bell housing, gimbal housing, inner...
  20. Rivergator

    Overhauling my 1988 MerCruiser 4.3 ltr. engine

    .....continued from "Engine Removal on 1988 Sylvan" We had 2 nasty hurricanes in the last 3 months and I am just now caught up with cleaning up everything. 2 weeks ago I was finally able to start taking the engine apart and to my surprise, the engine looks very good inside. No visible...
Top