'88 Merc 3.0 problems(stalling)

[Speedwagon]

1988 Mercruiser 3.0, Alpha one gen 1<br /><br />Well, I finally got the 3.0 running today. Had to replace the points/condensor to get it to run. It's still a bit hard to start though, and won't hold an idle. It has somewhat old gas in it, so that's not helping me out any. I was not around to winterize the boat, so it didn't get winterized properly. But what should I look at for this stalling?<br /><br />Also, it stalls when you try to put it in gear(in the water), and is taking on a bit of water through the drive unit. Figuring nothing back there is new, I dropped the drive unit today, and got quite a bit of water that came out. U-joints are rusty, and I can move the gimbal bearing freely, doesn't feel too rough to me, but it does go back/forth a little bit.<br /><br />Not sure if I should replace the bearing, but I'm thinking I probably should. Along with the bellows, shift cable, gaskets, U-joints, and throttle cable/linkage(it feels like crap, and I have my doubts about the trim switch). Looks like an expensive year. <br /><br />Any thoughts on this? Suggestions?

 

[Don S]

Re: '88 Merc 3.0 problems(stalling)

Sounds like you are do for a LOT of maintenance.<br />Along with the new shift cable and bellows, new gimbal bearing and ujoints, new gas, carb rebuild and clean, compete the tuneup with plugs cap and rotor, maybe even wires,(set dwell, timing etc.) new fuel filters, change the gear lube as it will have water in it from the leaky bellows. That if the engine block and manifolds aren't cracked from not being winterized, freezing and breaking things.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: '88 Merc 3.0 problems(stalling)

Well, the water was drained, but that's all that was done. And the last person to take the boat out, forgot the drain plug, so it had alot of water in the bilge, causing a starter rebuild this year.<br /><br />I did do the rotor, cap, and wires. Need to get the plugs though. Been reading up a bit on the dwell, as this is my first time messing with a system this old(technology wise) for ignition. I'm considering just buying all the tools I need for this job, as I will probably be able to use them again in the future.<br /><br />Where do they put the fuel filter in these things? I haven't spotted it in the line anywhere, but I can't see the line where to goes to the tank(haven't removed that side yet).

 

[Bondo]

Re: '88 Merc 3.0 problems(stalling)

You could Buy a Dwell Meter,.... IF you can Find 1.........<br />OR,...... Just Convert it to an Electronic Igntion..........Which is what I'd do.......<br /><br />The Fuel Filter is inside the little Removeable Housing mounted ON the Fuel Pump.......<br />There's Another 1,.. Inside the Carb. Gas Inlet Fitting.........

 

[rob935]

Re: '88 Merc 3.0 problems(stalling)

make sure you put a new set of points in and set the gap properly ,amazing how the smallest things make the biggest difference.