Recent content by dg512055

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    4.3LX Runs great but starts funny

    I have a 1997 4.3LX with TV ignition. Most of the time when I turn the key to start, the starter will bog down for a second or two and then take off. The engine will start right away after this. I disconnected the ignition and the engine turns over right away (no bogging of the starter). I have...
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    First Time Gimbal Bearing and Alignment

    Well I have now installed a new gimbal bearing and I have an alignment tool that came with the bearing installer. Sure made the job easy. Put the bearing in the freezer for 10 hours and it hammered right in. I have a question on the alignment. I had heavy drag marks on the right side of the...
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    Gimbal Bearing Photo

    Here is the outer race from the gimbal bearing I removed. Small amount of corrosion on both races. Grease was brown instead of green. Must have had some water in it sometime. The bearing looked perfect when removed.
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    Gimbal Bearing Question

    I pulled the drive to inspect everything and the gimbal bearing had a few small rough spots when turned by hand. Had the growling noise when turning hard before winter shut down. I have the bearing pulled and I am wondering if a new bearing carrier can be installed with the notches out. This...
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    Sand Proof Thermostat????

    I have taken my thermostat out 3 times this season and cleaned out the sand wedged in there. Is there a thermostat made with larger clearances that would not clog with sand? Yes I know the obvious answer is to stay out of the sand. On the Mighty Mississippi, this can be difficult when...
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    Bass Boat Question

    While watching some pro-angler programming on TV I notice several boats with very tall "attachments" mounted to the transoms. Some boats with 1 and some with 2. These things are maybe 3 to 4 feet tall. They look somewhat like tail fins. I have searched on the web wondering what they are. Anyone...
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    Trim Pump Stalls at end of Travel

    Is it normal for the trim pump motor to nearly stall to a stop when the drive reaches its full up or down position? I thought maybe there should be a relief valve of some kind in the system. My trim system works perfectly in between, but I hate to hear it bog down at the end of travel.
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    Black Stains on Transom - What causes it?

    Each time I go out I come back with a line of black stains on the transom. I am guessing this happens during idle speed operations. The engine has not used any oil at all summer. The engine idles and runs fine at all speeds. Could this be caused by a rich idle mixture? Or is it normal?
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    Smart Tabs SX - Yet Another Install.

    I read all I could find about the Smart Tabs SX. I could not find anything negative about them on the internet. I just installed mine and went out for a day on the river. I got them from iBoats.com. I must say that the service here is great. I forgot to order some 4200 sealant when I placed the...
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    Alpha shift cable adjustment question.

    I have read the service manual on adjusting the shifter linkage. I have mine adjusted so that there is just a slight pressure on the cable from the cut-out switch cams in forward and reverse. The switch remains centered in the V-notch. Is it OK to keep a slight pressure on the shift cable...
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    Still Stumped - Water Quit Pumping on Muffs

    I posted earlier that when I ran the engine on muffs I had water coming out the ports below the gimbal for a few minutes and then the water quit coming out, also none coming out the prop hub. I have pulled the drive off again and the water pump is all correct, direction, key, center hub still...
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    HELP, No water pumping -What have I done????

    I installed a new water pump impeller a few weeks ago. Also installed a new thermostat. I cranked the engine on muffs today and water came out of the ports below the gimbal, for a short time, and then quit. The temp gauge went to about 180 and then I shut it down. I turned the vertical shaft...
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    Merc 4.3 Electrical Question

    I have compared the wiring diagram for my power package to the actual on the boat. I have found that the purp/yel wire that connects to the extra starter solenoid terminal has been jumpered directly to the purple wire on the coil. I looks like this wire (purp/yel) powers up the fuel pump while...
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    Who is this Constantcontact????

    I keep getting emails from someone who claims to have an Iboats website on Facebook. The link goes to some site on constantcontact.com. It looks like some email marketing outfit. Does anyone know who this might be and what they are trying to do? DG
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    My Compression Numbers?

    I have done a compression test on the old 4.3 LX gen1 today. Here are the numbers: 200, 205, 200, 205, 200, 205. I am using a gauge with the schrader valve in the spark plug hole fitting, and running through 5 commpressions for each cylinder. The manual says 180 psi. Do these numbers seems...
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