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    Lower mercruiser shift cable install

    Melv, the trick you may be missing is that the cable core has to be removed from the sheath, then the core wire is run into the setscrew end of the slider. The setscrew is then snugged, backed out something like 1/4 turn and safety wired in place. John
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    1986 Sea Ray 300 Throttle/Shift Controls

    Any luck with a replacement? I'm also looking for a replacement for my 1986 Searay but for a single engine. Hard to tell what will work; web searches keep turning up lots of obsolete, no longer available alternatives. Or controls for outboards.
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    Authentic Mercury Quicksilver or Knock-off?

    I purchased an engine coupler (V8 to Alpha) on Ebay that was advertised as genuine Mercury Quicksilver OEM. The parts bag (bolts, washers, rubber cushions) was clearly Quicksilver. But the coupler itself was in an unmarked, unsealed bag and has no identification marks at all. Seems like...
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    Exhaust Y-Pipe - Fix or Repair?

    I have a Searay with an Alpha outdrive (~1986) and a Chevy 350. The exhaust Y-pipe (3", non-symetrical bolt pattern) appears to be leaking judging from where I can see water trickling in while the engine runs on the trailer. When I had the outdrive off, I felt around with my fingers and looked...
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    Shift Cable - Why not tighten it in the bell?

    I'm replacing the lower shift cable on my Alpha outdrive (new style threading in from aft) and the diagram and instructions in the manual show leaving a thread or two rather than tightening it into the bell housing. I thought maybe it was to be tightened later, but I don't see that step. It...
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    How much Prop to Tab clearance?

    I'm installing a tabbed anode on my Alpha I (SEI really) where there was a flat tab-less one before. The interference with the prop is slight so it should be easy to remove a bit of the tab as suggested by others on this forum. How much clearance is necessary for safe operation? It looks like...
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    About the rear mount - engine bracket to transome plate

    Can someone explain how the rear engine mounts (bolt, washer, sleeve, fiber washer, spiral lock washer and nylock nut) work? The diagram shows the assembly, but where are the forces applied that bind the transome plate and engine ("bell housing") bracket? Not sure it makes sense though and I...
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    Rubber Dinghy Seam Rub-Rail

    Any suggestions on where to find this stuff? I've spent hours looking on the net and came up with one source that thought it was gold plated (white really, but $10/ft) and one source for black that was similar and only a few bucks a foot. Replacing with hardwood is not out of the question...
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    Pressure Test Fitting

    The descriptions of home made pressure test setups seem to use the fitting from an old oil pump as the adapter to the drain or vent holes. Are there any other common fittings that would work instead? My supply of gear oil pumps are all shove in plastic types. Thanks, John
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    Need advice on filling in a 1-1/4" thru hull hole

    I have a 27 foot Searay with a poorly placed bait tank supply thru hull fitting. The previous owner must have placed it where he did because it was easy to get to without any thought to it being in the way or what would be on the other side. I can accommodate the inconvenience of having the...
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    Hints needed for replacing Alpha 1 seals

    I'm getting some water in the sterndrive oil - an SE 106 equivalent to Alpha 1 - and am planning on replacing all the oil seals and O-rings. I'm very familiar with normal mechanic stuff but I could always learn more from people with experience. One big question I have, is it necessary to take...
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    Alignment Tool - Anyone tried tubing?

    I'm considering making my own alignment tool out of 4130 tubing. Starting with 2 feet of 1" then slipping a few inches of 1-3/8" .188 wall over that. The whole works would be less than $20 and minimal fab time. The only rub is that the tool spec calls for 1.010" not 1.00". How important is...
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    Building an Outdrive Stand

    Re: Building an Outdrive Stand I have really enjoyed reading this thread. In fact, I was at Harbor Freight and scoping out the cheap floor jacks to build that fancy lift/stand and realized I had 90% of a plain stand already. The engine stand is just kicking around in the garage most of the...
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    What Hose - Transom to PS cooler?

    I have an Alpha 1 sterndrive with a 5.7L engine. When I pulled the hoses out (getting ready for repower) the hose from the transom to the power steering cooler looked like a factory molded hose. But at the transom end, the plastic fitting coming out of the transom plate looks like a 5/8" ID...
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    How much listing is normal w/o trim?

    I have a 1986 27' Searay Sundancer with a single Mercruiser Alpha (SE106 actually) and a Chevy 350 Vortec engine. When we had it out briefly a couple of weeks ago, the trim tabs were not working (left in their fully retracted position.) The boat listed to port significantly, maybe 10 degrees...
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    Any West Coast Engine Builder/Dealer Recommendations?

    I'm in the search mode for a new Chevy Vortec 5.7L long block for my Alpha 1 (SEI actually) propelled 27' 1986 Sea Ray. No, it's not the original engine but it's what is in there now, so I need something to transfer parts onto (starter, intake manifold, etc.) I've seen the many pro & con posts...
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