1999 4.3 Mercruiser

[borz170]

I have recently purchased a salvaged 18' Mariah 1999 or 2000 model boat with a 4.3 litre Mercruiser alpha one. The boat sunk in salt water for approx 1-2 days. The person I bought it from pickled the engine, changed the lower unit oil, changed the engine oil, rebuilt the carburator ant got the motor running. He had to hot wire the engine to start it, and he eliminated the fuel pump, just used a portable tank. The engine ran for a while, and ran well. I want to put this boat back into service asap. I would like to change the wiring harness, both on the motor and going to the helm. It may need new gages, etc. Does anyone know if this wiring harness is specific, or will any 4.3 mercruiser harness from near the date range of this boat work? Any information will be useful and much appreciated. Also, if anyone has other pointers, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1999 4.3 Mercruiser

aside from water being trapped in the hull, you will have to replace every piece of wiring in the boat including the gauges.Was the drive pulled?
gas tank drained and cleaned,trim/tilt pump and motor assembly, all control cables.Expect transom and floor rot in the future.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1999 4.3 Mercruiser

Expect transom and floor rot in the future.

One of the good things about salt water, is it doesn't cause wood to rot, fresh water does.

As mentioned, the drive needs to come off. There will be water in the bellows, and the salt water will (given enough time) rot off the end of the transom shield where the bellows attaches.
Will gaurentee the gimbal bearing and ujoints are dead also.

 

[borz170]

Re: 1999 4.3 Mercruiser

Thanks guys,

I have a cousin who is pretty well versed with this stuff and he said everything you guys mentioned. I have a marine alternator comming, along with a fuel pump and tilt motor. I am going to pull the lower and replace the water pump and possibly the seals in the lower. i am also going to pull the unit and replace the gimble and possibly u joints. So far the shift cables work. I don't know how far the boat went under, so I'm not sure about the switches/gages. hopefully i will luck out there.

Thanks,
Mike Borzilleri