Changing Mecrusier 4.3L Sparkplugs?

hostage

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May 4, 2010
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1,291
I am thinking of changing my sparkplugs for my 4.3L Mercrusier. It is a 190hp w/ an Alpha 1 Gen II outdrive year - 2000. I have never changed spark plugs before, only car brakes and car oil, how hard is it? Also, what type of plugs should I get and what gap should they be set for?

Thanks in advance,

Hostage
 

ryanr623

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
489
Re: Changing Mecrusier 4.3L Sparkplugs?

I am thinking of changing my sparkplugs for my 4.3L Mercrusier. It is a 190hp w/ an Alpha 1 Gen II outdrive year - 2000. I have never changed spark plugs before, only car brakes and car oil, how hard is it? Also, what type of plugs should I get and what gap should they be set for?

Thanks in advance,

Hostage

Pull off spark plug wire (one at a time, not all at once)
Unscrew spark plug
Screw in new plug
Put on boot

repeat on rest of engine

Get the same spark plugs that you pull out of the engine.... so longs as it ran well with them in.
 

dingdongs

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
649
Re: Changing Mecrusier 4.3L Sparkplugs?

Do not tighten as if your holding a wheel on a car.Tell us what plugs you have as most people go down the NGK plug road.undo cap and have a look at the 6 pick ups.if they look like chalky deposits on them clean them up with screwdriver etc.when did you last have an impellor change in the drive?
most of what you are looking for can be viewed on youtube to give you an excellent video of how to do general maintenance on your mercruiser engine and drive.
 

hostage

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May 4, 2010
Messages
1,291
Re: Changing Mecrusier 4.3L Sparkplugs?

I had the impeller changed along with all the bellows, and throttle cable a month ago. My mechanic changed the dist cap as well.
 

AZSenza

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
521
Re: Changing Mecrusier 4.3L Sparkplugs?

Dont know if youve tackled this yet but to help start the plugs and not strip them, use a length of hose about a foot long 1/4" diameter, slip it over the terminal of the plug and use that to start it. It really helps with the odd angle and big manifolds.
 
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odie241

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
115
Re: Changing Mecrusier 4.3L Sparkplugs?

Also,to make it easier to change the spark plugs the next time,put a little "Anti-Seize" on the threads of the plugs.I do this on every car I work on at work,plus my own boat.
 
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