Need advice on my first boat

Hey fellow boaters,
Im new to this forum and new to the boat scene. Im really good with my hands and love working on anything with engines and mostly work as a auto mechanic as a hobby. Decided to pull the triger and purchased my first boat, Im still a beginner and haven't even been in the water yet. I bought a 1988 Sea Ray with a 4.3L mercury onboard engine with an outdrive. The motor needed a new starter when I purchased it this winter so I spent alot of my winter getting it ready for the water. Im looking for some advice on exactly what I should be looking for and what needs to be maintained before I get it out in the water. Things iv done so far is replace the starter, new fuel filter, new fuel pump, oil change, new spark plugs and distributor cap. Iv got the engine to run but it runs a bit rough so im looking into another carburetor or get mine rebuilt (if anyone on here has 1 ill buy it) So if there's anything that I need to know to maintain or check out before I get it out in the water please let me know. Things iv noticed is the propeller moves in and out about half an inch when I pull on it with my hand and im not so sure if that normal or not? and another thing im not so sure is how the cooling system works on this boat. I just want to make sure im not going to overheat or something like that. Also How would do a complete flush of the cooling to make sure everything is nice and clean. Here is a picture below of the same exact engine I have in my boat. Im not so sure what this is (circled in the pic)


Thanks

Re: Need advice on my first boat

Welcome to the iBoats Forum!

You've posted in the wrong forum, though. Your boat has what we call an inboard/outboard (an "outboard" motor is an independent unit that hangs off the back of a boat.) Try reposting your question in the appropriate forum, but first: Look at your "outdrive" - the thing with the propeller sticking out. Is it a Mercruiser? Or Volvo? Or OMC? Keep scrolling down the list of forums to find the one that matches your brand of outdrive. Repost your questions there. Good luck!

Dave

Re: Need advice on my first boat

That picture looks like a Mercruiser 5.7L V8. I hope your engine looks a little better than the picture, because there are a few critical pieces missing. It sounds like you could use a maintenance manual for the engine & outdrive. Knowing the engine serial number will be important to get you to the correct maintenance manual and replacement parts, etc.

There is a serial number plate riveted to the flywheel housing just above where you replaced the starter.

If you go to http://www.mercruiserparts.com and do a search by pictures, you will find many illustrations and parts lists, etc. ( I even order some of my parts from those guys )

The cooling system takes in water from the outdrive . . . brings it up to the front top/center of the engine . . then the water takes several paths . . . some of it goes out to those things you circled . . . they are 'elbows' . . . it is a place where the cooling water mixes with the engine exhaust in order to cool it down.

This is where things differ from cars. Things are not supposed to get hot in a boat engine due to fire/explosion hazards.

The rest of the water goes through the engine block, just like a car and then when done, it goes out to the lower side of the exhaust manifolds . . . which have a dual set of chambers . . . one chamber for the exhaust and one for the water. This cools the exhaust manifold. The water entering the bottom of the manifold rises up into the elbow and joins the cooler water that gets to the elbow directly. All of this water gets mixed with the exhaust and discharged thru the exhaust pipes.

So, I hope that explanation helps. . . some pictures that you can find on the Internet will also show the flow of things.

As far as water pumps, there are 2 pumps . . . a sea water pump and a recirculating pump. The sea water pump does the job of pulling water in from the outdrive and pumping it up to the top of the engine at the thermostat housing (top/front/center). The recirculating pump is like the water pump in a car. It just moves the water through the engine block.

In terms of sea water pumps . . . there are 2 types . . . some are inside the outdrive, similar to an outboard engine . . . others are a separate water pump run by a belt off the engine. In the Mercruiser line, "Alpha" drives have the water pump inside the outdrive . . . "Bravo" drives have the sea water pump as a separate pump running off of the engine.

If you are into replacing parts, it is very/very important that you use approved 'Marine' parts for anything electrical and fuel related. You mentioned replacing the starter and some ignition components . . . they should be marine approved . . . if they are regular automotive, take 'em out and get marine type. The thing about boats and engines in a boat is that fumes cannot escape . . . they stay in the engine compartment and can reach explosive levels. so, there is ventilation systems required . . . and just in case, anything that could throw a spark or cause a fuel spill is design so that it does not.

Anyway, get a shop manual for the engine and the outdrive and you should be on your way.

Re: Need advice on my first boat

Looks like a Merc 6 cyld like the OP stated since there are 6 plug wires on the cap....

Post the serial# off the out drive and motor and someone will get you a link for the manuals...

You said it ran rough..... I would think it may be a carb issue easy enough to rebuild a carb but you need the manuals to work on the boat... Lots of things to check out!

Heres a good place to start http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342393

I hope you ran the boat on muffs feeding water to the out drive or had it in a lake..... if not your gonna be replacing your impeller in your drive..... It should be changed anyway since it's a maintainance item....

Read over the info provided in the above link on summerizing your boat....

Ted is correct on the marine parts......NO auto parts in a marine application....

Hows the rest of the boat? Hull condition,deck solid ? You can look at the resto threads to make sure you don't have any structural issues as well.....

Re: Need advice on my first boat

Looks like a guessing game on the engine... I counted six plug wires and it looks like 4.3 so I will believe him...serial number will tell (I guess since he's already replaced parts, it has to be so). Go to the stickies section at top of this forum and get ALL the information for your setup...specs, manuals, etc...download them and use them. Sounds like you have much to learn and this is the place to do it. I will second the comment about making sure you run the engine on muffs (since you were asking questions about the cooling system). Snap some pics of the outdrive. Post them, and the serial number (the stickies tell you where to look for that). I'm guessing its an Alpha-1 like mine. I have had much fun taking mine off and on the boat, changing the impeller (really needed it after I bought it), pressure testing, and other routine maintenance actions. If you are as mechanically inclined as you say, you can do the routine stuff yourself, but I cant stress enough to have the manuals open and use them, and ask questions here when you are stumped.
Oh, by the way, welcome aboard!

Re: Need advice on my first boat

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... You've circled the exhaust risers/ elbows....

Go have a look 'round in the Adults Only section, pinned to the top of this forum,....
It contains Alota info on yer motor, 'n drive,... manuals, 'n all...

Re: Need advice on my first boat

Sorry if I posted in the wrong sections, still learning on how this forum works. Where should I move my thread to ? rebuilding and restoring?

The engine is a Merc 4.3L v6 and all the parts were purchased from an approved marina and they were very helpful with giving me advice on what to expect. I will also try and get the serial numbers you guys are looking for.

The engine in the picture is not mine, just a picture I got off from google because I haven't had time to go snap some pictures of mine but its basically the same exact engine. What are some of the components that are missing exactly?

I will also be taking pictures throughout the boat to show you guys what im up against lol.

I really appreciate all this help and thanks for all the warm welcomes.