helpful links for outdrive familiarity

swimmin' for shore

Chief Petty Officer
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Oct 25, 2004
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490
Hi guys. Somewhere along the way, I traded in a wife for 2 boats, and working on the 3rd. A couple of weeks ago, I found that my tilt/trim wires are trash, as they go into the outdrive. I also realized, fairly quickly, that I don't really even understand much of the language that is used in reference to what I'm looking at on the outdrive. <br />That said, I've decided that I'm not stupid, but that I am uneducated. Does anyone have some good suggestions on where I could go to see a diagram of the outdrives that are being explained, detailed, step by step explanations for how to pull each drive apart, etc...? Thanks in advance. -Swimmin
 

Don S

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Aug 31, 2004
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Re: helpful links for outdrive familiarity

That information would be in service manuals. There is some information for different models.<br /><br />What kind of drives are you looking for information on?
 

swimmin' for shore

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Messages
490
Re: helpful links for outdrive familiarity

I have a mercruiser pre-alpha on my Mark Twain, a Bravo one(I believe) on my Thunderbird, and I may buy a 3rd next week that is yet to be determined, but will need to be installed on a 302 engine. Just trying to learn some of this stuff. It certainly won't be easy, but I certainly can't afford to spend any significant time having marinas working on any of them.
 

Don S

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Re: helpful links for outdrive familiarity

You should really start giving more information when you have a question, like model numbers and years, it would help you get the right information. No engine info at all.<br /><br />This one ought to get you started.<br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm <br /><br />If the Pre-Alpha drives (Thats a lot of different drives) are between 83 and 90, here's a manual.<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf <br /><br />If the Bravo is between 88 and 98, hers a manual.<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/11/11covr5x.pdf
 

lakelivin

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Aug 19, 2004
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1,172
Re: helpful links for outdrive familiarity

Originally posted by swimmin' for shore:<br />...Somewhere along the way, I traded in a wife for 2 boats, and working on the 3rd.... -Swimmin
Wife or boat? :D
 

swimmin' for shore

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
490
Re: helpful links for outdrive familiarity

:) Boat, but I'm thinking of trading a couple in on a new wife. The bottom line is that at the end, I'll have come out ahead by a boat, but I'll have a newer-model wife. <br />Sorry about not posting enough information. I have a pre-alpha drive in the Mark Twain, and that is powered by a 160 hp mercruiser-1967 type. I honestly do not know what is in the Thunderbird. It doesn't run, has bubbles in the hull, and a rotten transom. I'm getting ready to scrap it and might sell the outdrive(Bravo drive) and trailer. I am considering buying a new boat. I do not know the drive, but it's powered by a 302. I know this is probably still a bit vague. To be honest, I'm just trying to learn more about what I'm looking at in general. People say to take a certain thing apart, and I'm totally confused as to what they're talking about. Trying to educate myself, as I did with fiberglass, floors, etc...I'm not any kind of mechanic, nor have I ever been, so this is a bit harder for me to reason through, but we'll get her. Thank you all so much for the replies so far, and any more that you send.
 

swimmin' for shore

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
490
Re: helpful links for outdrive familiarity

Should have said this a second ago, but where do you get model numbers and years from the outdrives? I'll find them when I get home tonight.
 
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