Preventative maintenance while engine and outdrive are pulled

JASinIL2006

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Feb 10, 2012
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5,735
Hi all, my engine and outdrive are spending the winter in my garage while I'm fixing my transom and deck. I don't know if I'll be able to do much fiberglassing once it gets cold, but I would like to use that down time to do any preventative maintenance I can (or to gather the stuff needed for maintenance). I bought the boat in Spring '12 and I ran it for one summer. There were no problems with the motor or outdrive, except for the engine dying when I'd open it up. (From what I've read, this might be a carb issue, but I haven't much experience with working on engines.)

Anyway, I am wondering what sorts of things I should be checking and/or replacing as long as the boat is in pieces. Some specifics:

1) I plan to get a complete impeller kit and replace the impeller and related seals and gaskets. How does one find the official Mercruiser part number for OEM parts (like the impeller kit)? I don't see it in my service manual.

2) The large bellows did not have water in them, but there was some greasy stuff in there. Is that normal? If not, what should I be checking?

3) I will be changing engine oil and outdrive lube. I presume it doesn't make sense to do the outdrive lube before the impeller change. Does it matter whether I do those (impeller and outdrive lube change) now or in the Spring?

4) Are there other things I should inspect and/or replace to take advantage of the engine being pulled?

I have the service manuals for both my outdrive (Alpha One Gen 2 ser # 1A270120) and engine (Merc 350 Mag ser #0F747565). As I mentioned above, it's not always clear how to know where to find part or kit numbers for my equipment. Where do you all find that?

Thanks,
Jim
 

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
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18,328
Re: Preventative maintenance while engine and outdrive are pulled

Since you will be able to easily reach a lot of areas on the engine that are normally inaccessible, you can take care of things beyond what you have already mentioned, like:

Rust spots/paint touch up.

How to those exhaust manifold bolts look? Sometimes it is a good idea to replace the bolts mid-way through the life of the manifolds.

Go to http://www.mercruiserparts.com for your OEM numbers, etc.
 

JASinIL2006

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Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,735
Re: Preventative maintenance while engine and outdrive are pulled

Thanks, I hadn't thought of painting, etc.

What about the bellows? Is that the sort of thing I should be replacing no matter what (since I don't know their age)? Is grease in them anything to be concerned about?

Thanks,
Jim
 
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