Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

[lmannyr]

So I purchased a 1989 220 Sundancer Merc 5.7 vortec Alpha 1? without a survey. I did not dunk the boat before purchase but did put it on muffs. Engine turns on at first crank, and sounds smoother and quieter than my wifes dodge durango. Water pumps out of the exhaust tubes and not the prop (I'm guessing this is normal). The dipstick oil was not black but close to it. Zincs need changing. Belts looks new I'd like to change to a serpentine belt system thgough.

Is there an online merc/alpha manual?

The serial # on the drive is gone. The top cap has 4 bolts with a hole front and center (to lift the drive off?). Is this an Alpha 1 Gen1 or Gen2.

What should I inpect, change or replace before launch?

THANKS!!!

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

mercinfo.com has info verifing I have a Alpha 1 Gen 1. More searching....

 

[Don S]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Belts looks new I'd like to change to a serpentine belt system thgough.

Absolutely not worth the expense or effort to do that.

For manuals, look here.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

So I purchased a 1989 220 Sundancer Merc 5.7 vortec Alpha 1?
The top cap has 4 bolts with a hole front and center (to lift the drive off?). Is this an Alpha 1 Gen1 or Gen2.

Are you sure of the year? It sounds like you have a model 1, or pre-alpha outdrive. Which would certainly not be the "normal" case for a 1989 boat. Here's a helpful site to help identify what you have:
http://www.mercstuff.com/drive_idprealpha.htm

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Yup I'm sure. The cap doesn't have the "shark fin" with hole. the hole is incorporated with the front of the cap. It's an Aplpha 1 Gen 1.

I noticed a couple things today after running it at idle on muffs.

1) Drive sounds a little "whinny"

2) I can place my hand on the starboard riser for more than 10sec with no problem. I can put put my hand on the port riser for about 5sec before it starts to really burn.

How do I address these issues? What kind of oil do I put in the engine and filter? Does it have to be marine specific or any 350 oil filter will work from an auto parts store?

Thanks for the help!

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Here is an update on progress so far:

1 - drive water pump impeller, housing, and tube replaced.
2 - Inspected drive and shift bellows; both looked like new.
3 - Drive oil changed.
4 - Motor oil and filter changed.
5 - Topped off trim tab fluid.
6 - Shutters replaced (found half of one in my exhaust tube).

Things to do:

1 - Adjust shift cable, (reverse does not catch until revved some)
2 - Replenish power steering fluid.
3 - ???
4 - ????

Is there a special power steering fluid I need to use?
Anything else anyone can think of I need to do before I launch for the first time?

Thanks!!!
Luis

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Water pumps out of the exhaust tubes and not the prop (I'm guessing this is normal).

Is this normal????

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

The Exhaust Bellows was replaced by just a tube. Some people have trouble putting the exhaust bellows on and simply replace it with the tube which is also rubber but does not connect to the drive, only to the gimbal.

I'm sure an expert will chime in here because there are three holes in my gimbal. One on each side that flows warm water and the 3rd being the one mentioned above in the center bellow the drive bellows. I didn't bother putting my hand near this hole for fear of the unknown.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Based on your statement regarding the riser temps............I would remove the risers/manifolds and inspect for blocakges/corrosion and replace as neccessary.

Was the boat used in salt or fresh water?
FWC'd or raw water cooled?

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

I removed the risers to replace the shutters and inspected what I could see from that point and all was clean with no flakes. I didn't remove the manifolds though.

The boat was used in salt water and is raw water cooled.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Are you sure you removed the risers and not just the elbows? The risers are bolted to the manifolds..........there must be somekind of a blockage if you can't hold your hand on top of the riser............should be cool.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Yup I'm sure it s the riser, I had to make gaskets for them to back on. I can hold my hand on it but just one seems warmer than the other. After I changed the oil yesterday, it seemed it was much cooler as well. I'll try it again after letting it idle for about 15 mins.

 

[John_S]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Sounds like you are making great progress.

- The water coming out the relief holes when running on muffs is normal.

- A difference in temp between risers is normal. Water takes the path of least resistance. ie one will flow more water than the other at low speeds.

- You should be able to keep your hand on top of both risers running on muffs, idling in the driveway.


Other tune-up:
- Plugs
- Distributer cap (you will have to id distributer - it could be a stock T4 or aftermarket marine that came with replacement engine)
- Rotor (same as above)
- Timing
- Idle Speed
- Idle Mixture

Options:
- Compression Test for records and year to year eval
- Vacuum Gauge Test for records and year to year eval

Also: Check the Holley carb to make sure it is marine. With the flame arrester removed, you should see a prominent J style vent tube. If they are just straight, you have an auto carb and will need to replace it.

 

[John_S]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Yup I'm sure it s the riser, I had to make gaskets for them to back on. I can hold my hand on it but just one seems warmer than the other. After I changed the oil yesterday, it seemed it was much cooler as well. I'll try it again after letting it idle for about 15 mins.

Not sure of which style of exhaust manifolds you have because this is a replacement motor, but my gaskets are stainless/graphite, and not "standard" gasket material of something you make at home. The last thing you want is an internal leak. There was also a service bulletin that DonS posted on type to use with the type of system used. Mine was changed from stock. After replacing, per service bulletin, the elbows ran a little cooler than stock.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Hmm...Thanks for the gasket info. I looked at all the mating surfaces and it was infact stainless steel gaskets. They were intact so I just added some meat to get a better reseal. I'll probably change them out anyway to the stainless only like suggested for peace of mind. Thanks!!

 

[John_S]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Here is the SB: http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/99/99_10.pdf

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

what ignition do I have?....

I'm trying to get part numbers to order the rotor, cap, and wires. Do these parts need to be marine certified or are automotive parts sufficient?

I'm also trying to figure out how to classify my engine. When I look at parts catalogs, they ask if it's mag, mpi, efi, etc... I know it's not MPI. Any help with this will be appreciated. thanks!!!

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

Anyone????

 

[mthieme]

Re: Just Purchased...Time for a tune up.

I assume you've gone over the electrical system?
Tested Battery(s), inspected connections, fuse block, bilge pump, lights, etc.?

Don't forget the plug!