Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

Hi All,

Somewhat new to the world of boating, but very new to the world of I/O boats.

A bit about me:
- I do have some self-taught mechanical skills
- Most of my experience has been with 2-stroke engines, and I have rebuilt the top end of a 2-stroke E-Z-Go golf cart
- I have done some other work on 4-cylinder motors, including rebuilding a lawn mower, and general R&M on my cars

On a lark, I bought a boat through an auction about 6 hours away from me. For the price I ended up buying it, I figured I couldn't lose. I like tinkering with things, and figured a boat should be fun for me and the family for the summer. Ended up with a 1985 Glasstream Tempest 152. Also, when I spoke to the person running the auction, he told me this was his friend's boat, and they had had it on the lake last summer. Overall, I felt pretty darn good about the purchase - that is until I started taking a closer look.

After closer inspection, I believe it is safe to say this boat was not on the lake last summer, and I am treating it as being in an "unknown" condition right now. The vinyl on the seats is way too brittle, and is cracking too much for it to have been used last year. The throttle control is quite loose, to the point where I think one could have difficulty in starting the boat, and increasing RPMs via "throttle only".

Good points are the hull is sound, and there are no soft spots in the floor. Bad part is there is a lot of cosmetic work to do, though as a former car detailer, I sort of enjoy doing this. However, my immediate concern is making sure that:
- I do everything I can to ensure no damage occurs to the motor when the boat is first started
- I go through a regular PM routine, so that I'm checking all the critical systems before using them, and
- The boat is safe for me and my family when we do get it out on the water.

The drive system appears to be an Alpha 1 drive from a 140 (3L) attached to a 120 motor. The motor:


First sticker on the valve cover:


Second sticker on the valve cover:


Third sticker on the valve cover:


Outdrive:


Again, I am a complete noob here, and appreciate some tips as to where to start digging. I have obtained a copy of the service manual already, and really don't have a lot of fear of digging in - just would like some tips on the best place to start.

Whatever you smart experienced folks can tell me, I'd be happy to listen to.

Re: Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

Before doing anything you will want to:
1) remove the existing fuel from the fuel tank since you have no idea how old it is. Check for presence of water at that time.
2) Change the fuel filters.
3) Pull the spark plugs and check condition. Leave them out for now.
4) Check the engine oil. If it looks clean and at proper level that would be a good sign and no need to change it at this moment.
5) Check the outdrive lubrication levels and condition. Milky looking or water in the fluids indicates a leaky outdrive. Drain and refill at this point but repairs will be needed later.
6) Charge the battery.
7) Good time to check to ensure the blower works. If not, fix it.
8) Turn the key to RUN (not START) and see fi the gauges come to life. In particular you at least want the oil pressure and temperature gauges to work.
9) Turn the key to START and see if the engine turns over. If water is expelled from cylinders that is NOT a good thing. If the engine does not turn over (seems locked up) you have an engine that is seized and it is not worth trying to loosen it up as the cylinders and rings will very likely be covered with rust.
10) If all appears normal at this point, hook up muffs to a water source, install the plugs, add some fresh fuel and good dose of SeaFoam or other fuel system conditioner and see if the engine fires.

STARTING PROCEDURE"
1) Pull the throttle/shift lever toward the center of the boat or push the button in the center of the lever (depending on type) and pump the throttle several times while cranking the engine. Since you don't know how long it has been since it ran, it will take awhile to get fuel to the carb. A shotglass fuel of fuel down the carb throat should make it fire. Good luck from that point forward.

Re: Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

ScooterMcTavish said:

Hi All,

Somewhat new to the world of boating, but very new to the world of I/O boats.


Again, I am a complete noob here, and appreciate some tips as to where to start digging. I have obtained a copy of the service manual already, and really don't have a lot of fear of digging in - just would like some tips on the best place to start.

Whatever you smart experienced folks can tell me, I'd be happy to listen to.

Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... You need to spend a few hours readin' in the Adults Only section,... Enjoy,...

Re: Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

Welcome aboard!! Thanks for all of the good info. Great way to start here

Re: Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

Hey Silvertip,

Exactly the sort of checklist I was looking for - thanks!

Bond-o - had spent some extensive time in the Adults Only area (do love the name - implies boat porn or something...), but couldn't find a "checklist" like Silvertip gave. Nothing worse than a new person on a forum who creates a new thread that 20 dozen people have already posted. I do try to avoid this as much as possible.

Thanks for the welcome as well QC.

Now if only it got above 35* here for more than a day or two, I might be able to get the boat running (got some muffs already). Winter is refusing to let go this year, and I'll be happy when I can get back to summer stuff.

Looking forward to some experienced help here. Or, Silvertip's checklist will be all I need, and the boat will fire up right away once I go through the steps. Here's hoping anyways.

Anything I can learn from the serial #s I posted?

Re: Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

ScooterMcTavish said:

Anything I can learn from the serial #s I posted?

Click to expand...

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

Put those serial numbers in the following page and you'll get some more info!

https://webapps.brunswick.com/literature/literatureSearch.do

Cheers,

Rick

Re: Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

ScooterMcTavish said:

Anything I can learn from the serial #s I posted?

Click to expand...

Not really, unless you are ordering parts. The serial numbers are for your 85 engine, drive, and transom shield.

The drive is a 140 of unknown year, might look at the decal on the port side upper of the drive for a serial number.

Re: Complete Noob with I/O - Where to start? Mercruiser '85 2.5 L with Alpha 1?

Hi folks,

Thanks again.

After reviewing parts of the manual, and using the serial number tool above, I am a bit confused. The manual covers all 120/140 models, so it is sometimes a little tough to figure out what features, etc. Your motor exactly has. When I punch up the codes, is this giving me "exactly" what my boat has, or is it instead referring to a "group" of motors like the manual?

Don, I did notice the mismatch on the drive, and do see a serial # sticker on the top middle (not port) where the drive is mounted to the transom. It's illegible, and I'll likely need to do a pencil rubbing to get the #.