reliability question

sat1962

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
106
just bought 1987 glastron with merc 3.0 IO just curious on reliability and what if any common problems i should watch or look for always had outboards thanks in advance for advice or comments
 

BAYLINER185

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
474
Re: reliability question

reliability is all based on how it was taken care of before you owned it.

BUT typically Id say the 3.0 is a very reliably Mercruser motor thats why they still make it.

Its a hard working motor and does really good on gas. I had on in an 84 webbcraft and it ran like crazy. Just take care of it and it will take care of you.
 

sat1962

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
106
Re: reliability question

Thanks bayliner and happy boating was just curious im new to IO so i will get manual also so i can do the mainteniance as required boating is best when u dont save gas by being towed
 

BAYLINER185

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
474
Re: reliability question

I agree. My last boat got toed in quite often it was the time between getting help that used to stink.

I would change the water pump implellar in the outdrive if you dont know how old it is, If you have had outboards Im sure you are well familure with this procedure.
 

RJLeuwen

Seaman
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
69
Re: reliability question

just bought 1987 glastron with merc 3.0 IO just curious on reliability and what if any common problems i should watch or look for always had outboards thanks in advance for advice or comments

DITO to what bayliner said!

Bigest problem I have seen with them is the distibutors ware out.
check it out with a good dwell meter, dwell should be steady not jump around if it moves around replace the dist.

RJ
 

sat1962

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
106
Re: reliability question

rough idling cant be any worse than my johnson 70 outboard the ole shake n bake
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: reliability question

rough idling cant be any worse than my johnson 70 outboard the ole shake n bake

LOL, I have a 60 Johnson and 90% of my boating is at idle speed. The nice thing about the Mercruisers rough idle, is that it can be fixed, the Johnsons can't be.
 

CharlieB

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
5,617
Re: reliability question

lol

Why am I not so surprised to learn Don still has an old Johnson, could it be the same reason I have an old belt driven magneto J85?

Cause we can and refuse to part with an old horse as long as we can keep it alive and running well.
 

sat1962

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
106
Re: reliability question

my johnson 70 idles great now it detonated last weekend
 
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