Recent content by Gas Giant

  1. Gas Giant

    Got my first Mercury - need some quick help hooking it up.

    Just picked up my first Mercury outboard, a 2004 200hp Mercury Saltwater (carbureted). I've always had Johnson/Evinrude engines prior to this one. This engine is replacing the twin Johnson 70's I had on my Starcraft - one overheated and warped the exhaust baffle, and I didn't feel like...
  2. Gas Giant

    Need repower advice

    Boat is a 1978 22ft Starcraft Islander (aluminum cuddy). The boat originally had twin 70hp Johnson engines on it. I liked the redundancy of twin engines. However, at WOT the boat would manage about 22 knots, and took awhile to get there. Long story short, I need to repower. I have about 3k...
  3. Gas Giant

    Johnson 85 gear case - magnet and spring?

    Hey gang, Dealing with a 1978 Johnson 85hp, model no. 85ML78C. Earlier in the year I took the gearcase (or lower unit, if you prefer) apart to reseal it. That was a few months ago; had some medical issues and had to stop on it for a bit. Anyway, all better now, so I am starting to put it back...
  4. Gas Giant

    Boat runs well but dies after a few minutes - check my logic before I spend money

    Hey guys, Engine is a '78 Johnson 85hp motor, red plastic above-the-deck fuel tank, new primer bulb/hose. To make a long story short, the engine runs well, but only if there is fuel in the carbs (imagine that). I can prime them with the primer bulb, and it does get hard. I did that and...
  5. Gas Giant

    Cooling problem solved, but it water supposed to be here?

    To start, engine is a '78 Johnson 85, Model No. 85ML78C Long story short, I replaced my water pump (and thermostats) due to the engine getting hot. Well it pumps really strong and keeps its cool properly now, however I have water coming out from the spot indicated in this picture: I don't...
  6. Gas Giant

    Water coming from hole in lower unit - normal? Plus temp issues

    Hello gang, Engine is a '78 Johnson 85HP. I think the model no. is 85ML78C. First off, I feel like an idiot for not knowing this, but does water normally come out of this hole in the lower unit? I don't really remember seeing water shooting out of this hole. See below...
  7. Gas Giant

    1980 Answer Marine 24 Hardtop - transom replacement

    As with most of the wood in this boat, the transom is soaking wet, so I've decided to replace it. I've read a lot about replacing transoms on this site, and I have a fairly good idea of the basics. I'm likely going to go with the traditional wood-and-glass route, but a pourable transom...
  8. Gas Giant

    Anyone ever had to drill out a tilt pin?

    Engine is an '82 Johnson 235. I'm trying to replace the non-functional, corroded tilt/trim unit with a much nicer one that actually works. The engine is pretty old, and corroded, but I need to get a few more years out of it before I can afford to repower. However, that tilt pin is stuck...
  9. Gas Giant

    New project - stringer questions

    Okay, let me start off by identifying the boat in question. I picked up a 24' 1980 Answer Marine hardtop as a project. This is my first fiberglass boat project; my last one was an aluminum Starcraft Chieftan (which I still have!) The floor in the open deck area of the boat was made of these...
  10. Gas Giant

    Tilt/Trim compatibility for a 235HO Johnson

    To start, the motor is a 1982 Johnson 235, model number J235TXCNE. Picked up a 24' Answer Marine hardtop project, which has the aforementioned 235 sitting on it. It actually runs, believe it or not. However, the trim motor is shot on the tilt/trim setup. Its rusted out. The engine has been...
  11. Gas Giant

    Want to add tilt/trim....what to look for? (1978 Johnson 85)

    I want to add a tilt/trim setup to my Starcraft with a '78 Johnson 85hp (85ML78C is the model number I think) for a number of reasons. The problem is, I'm not really sure what to look for. As far as getting used ones, does anyone know what range of years will work with this engine? I'd like...
  12. Gas Giant

    85hp link n sync procedure

    Can anyone post the link and sync procedure for a 1978 Johnson 85hp motor? I replaced the control cables and and swapped out the carbs on my dad's boat, but I can't find my manual anywhere. I practically tore my garage apart looking for it, but I have a bad feeling it was in my Cobia when I...
  13. Gas Giant

    Engine "sneezes" a few times when started - problem or no?

    Motor is a '63 Evinrude Big Twin, 40hp. Can't remember the model number offhand. First off, let me say that the engine runs great when its warmed up; idles good, and has no problem flinging that little Orlando Clipper through the water at breakneck speed. :D I can throttle up slowly, or...
  14. Gas Giant

    Special thanks

    This isn't a request for tech post. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone on here who helped me get my Evinrude going. F-R, Joe Reeves, lindy46, 1946Zephyr, HighTrim, and all the others that I may be forgetting - thanks for all your help. On Friday, I took the little Orlando Clipper out...
  15. Gas Giant

    First time in the water = fail!

    Engine is a '63 Evinrude Big Twin 40hp, Model No. 43053. It has a '61 carb, fuel pump, and lower unit on it. Carb freshly rebuilt, ignition is new, and I just replaced the flywheel key because it was sheared when I got the motor. Had a tank of fresh 24:1 fuel too. Okay, had the engine...
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