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  1. MikeDobbs

    How tight? Leaf Spring Bolts.

    I just installed a new axle, leaf springs, and hubs on my trailer. All the leaf spring bolts have lock nuts. My question is, how tight should I make the nuts on the leaf spring bolts? Since they're lock nuts, I was thinking leaving them just short of tight would allow for better movement in...
  2. MikeDobbs

    HELP: Rusted bolts on leaf springs

    I'm replacing the axle on my boat trailer (18' bowrider, single axle, no brakes), and I'm really struggling to remove the forward bolts that attach the springs to the hangers. All the hardware was extremely rusted on this trailer, so I planned to just cut all the bolts off. Worked fine in the...
  3. MikeDobbs

    engine hesitating moving through 1500-1800 RPM range

    This is a mercruiser 3.0lx engine When we got to the water today the boat started up, idled, moved into and out of forward and reverse gear in the water all completely fine. When I went to move from idle to a 5mph no wake speed, the engine stalled out. Started right back up, and hesitated...
  4. MikeDobbs

    Can I leave my boat in shallow water through low tide?

    I have an 18ft bowrider with an Alpha I stern drive. There's an area I'd like to get into that gets very shallow at low tide (great for clamming, etc). I can easily get there when it's not dead low- but I am concerned about whether it would do any damage to the outdrive if it sits on the...
  5. MikeDobbs

    Alpha 1 Gen II Gimbal Bearing Replacement

    Greetings! I'm getting the boat ready for the season and am replacing the gimbal bearing. I've got the leg off, and have a slide hammer inserted through the bearing, and I've been banging on it for a good while now. I'm not sure how much progress I've made thus far. Any suggestions or tricks...
  6. MikeDobbs

    Store propane tanks on board?

    Hey everyone, This might seem like a silly question, but on the 1lb propane tanks it says not to store at temp above 120 degrees or so, and it's got me alittle concerned about leaving them on the boat. Do you all bring propane on and off the boat with you each time? Or do you leave it on the...
  7. MikeDobbs

    Substantial Cracks in Gelcoat

    Hey everyone, I'm trying to determine how to best deal with a series of cracks in my gelcoat. I think these are stress induced; as you will see in the pictures, they appear around the fitting securing the swim ladder to the boat. The fiberglass seems to be intact underneath the gelcoat- it's...
  8. MikeDobbs

    Rusty Pulleys? Here's what worked for me...

    Hey everyone, All the folks on here have been such a huge help to me getting my first boat going that I wanted to repay the favor a little. I ran into trouble on my merc 3.0lx with rusty pulleys eating through my belts, and on the forum I found lots of posts talking about lifting the engine...
  9. MikeDobbs

    What kind of hubs are on my trailer?

    Hey everyone, I purchased the boat with this trailer, and I'm just trying to get a hold on properly maintaining the bearings. I've spun the wheels with the trailer jacked up and they sound good- nice and smooth. I also check the temp on the hubs after trailering and they're not at all hot...
  10. MikeDobbs

    What should trim gauge read when underway?

    To clarify: When I purchased my boat the trim gauge did not work. I replaced the sender and limit switch when doing the bellows- and finally got around the redoing the wiring to the gauge today. Here's the thing. I followed the directions and set the gauge to down when the drive was full...
  11. MikeDobbs

    Power trim sounds strained when underway

    Hey everyone- Today when out on the water and on plane I tried to trim the engine up and it made a "screaming" sound. I realize the pump is working against the full thrust of the prop, so is this normal? Or does it indicate a problem? If so, what should I be looking at?
  12. MikeDobbs

    Merc 3.0LX bogging around 1200-1400 rpm (in gear only)

    So the boats running a lot better, but there's still something off about the engine. When moving from about 1200 or 1400 rpm it starts to die out, and I have to "goose" the throttle a touch to pump some gas down into the carb. Once I get it past that spot it runs great. Boat idles...
  13. MikeDobbs

    Mercruiser 3.0LX Boggs down over 2K rpm IN GEAR ONLY

    Hey Everyone, The saga continues. Headed to the water today excited for my first trouble free outing with the wife : ) Boat started right up, idled beautifully, and ran well in gear while we made our way to open water. Ran well under a little more gas as well- I'd say up to about 1500 or...
  14. MikeDobbs

    Merc 3.0LX Smoking Badly - running ROUGH

    Hey everyone, I've been working on this engine for weeks, and thought I was almost completely done. For the last couple of weeks the engine has been starting and running great (every time), except for a tapping noise which I've been chasing, and some detonation getting up on plane. I will...
  15. MikeDobbs

    Changing lifters on a Mercruiser 3.0LX engine

    Hey everyone- I finally got around to changing the lifters on my Merc 3.0LX and I figured I'd post a little video of the job. I wasn't able to find ANY videos, or instructions online about how to proceed with this job, soI figured a little video might help someone else out if they are looking...
  16. MikeDobbs

    Adjusting Valves on a Mercruiser 3.0lx

    Engine Serial # 0K277779 I'm having some difficulty getting the valves adjusted properly and have read two different suggestions for the correct method. I cannot find the correct manual for this engine- so if anyone has the link I'd very much appreciate it. Otherwise, if anyone has the manual...
  17. MikeDobbs

    Does my engine sound OK?

    Hey everyone, So I just finished installing my new manifold and riser. This is the first time I have had the engine running since adjusting the valves as per the manual (the 3/4 of a turn past zero lash thing). It definitely sounds much better to me than it did before the adjustment, but I do...
  18. MikeDobbs

    What do the dash switches do? 1998 Marada Sport

    This is my first power boat, and I got it cheap with many things not working. On the Dash, there are four switches. One works the horn, one works the engine blower, and the other two don't work anything as far as I can tell. My question is... what SHOULD they be working? One of the switches...
  19. MikeDobbs

    Is this exhaust manifold gasket OK?

    I just unboxed a new Mercruiser Exhaust manifold for my 3.0lx engine, and the gasket was a little bent from the shipping. I'm new to this, and my first reaction was to call my marina and tell them it was damaged and I needed a new one. But, the parts guy has gone home, and now I'm wondering if...
  20. MikeDobbs

    Mercruiser 3.0lx exhaust shutter - what should it look like?

    Hey everyone- So on Bondo's recommendation, I'm deep into my exhaust system and have reached the exhaust shutter. It's there, and looks to be in relatively good condition (flexible, moves freely)- but I have a question. Should it be in the folded position (as mine is), and water coming up...
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