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    External Oil Filter hose routing?

    I am restoring an older Sea Ray that has two Chevy V8 stroker motors/Bravo 1s. Covid and heath issues have delayed my progress to the point of frustration. Both motors have external oil filters that attach to risers nearest the sides of the boat. I photo-ed oil filters and attachments but forgot...
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    Rebuilding Mercruiser Trim Cylinder/Bravo 1?

    I have rebuilt Alphas in the past but cannot remember exactly where the continuity spring fits inside the the end cap. I downloaded manual 90-863160--1 JUNE 2003 page 5B-3 but photo is not clear, at least to me. I guess I am getting old? Does the spring fit snug inside an o-ring grove and up...
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    RADAR with GPS overlay

    I am looking for a RADAR 9-12" screen combination with all the sonar bells and whistles and I also want an accurate GPS overlay so that if I have a RADAR contact, the unit will accurately display contact's GPS coordinates (+-100 feet). A mile range for GPS would be OK but I prefer 2 miles. I...
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    Mercrusiser synthetic vs non-synthetic?

    Soon, I will have to change oil in my MC 383s. I have never been a fan of synthetic oils in boats since I normally change oil yearly and don't want the extra expense associated with more expensive synthetic oils. But, then a friend told me that once a motor has used synthetic oil, you can't go...
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    Ball valve in fuel pickup tube necessary?

    I am installing fuel tanks now in my 1986 Sea Ray AJ rebuild. I replaced a 140+ gal tank near my engine compartment with two 55 gal tanks located just short of mid-ship. Ancient SRs were notoriously rear-end heavy. SR recognized the error of their ways and replaced the 140+ gal tank with two...
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    Mercruiser Gas Tank Pick up Tube?

    This may not be the best or proper forum for my help request. So, if not, please redirect it. I am fitting two aluminum gas tanks into my MC/Searay rebuild, but unfortunately after pressure testing, I noticed one SS NPT fitting (gas tube) had a leak (weird it cracked). I have always been...
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    Different Bravo 1 Shafts?

    I suspect that former owner mixed and matched parts that would work on Alphas to Bravos in order to save $$$. Attached are photos of main drive input shafts. One has 4 O-rings, while the other 2 0-rings. The 2 o-ring shaft fit a later style Alpha coupler that had a longer snout with a grease...
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    Aligning dual MC ODs (toe-in or out?)

    We finally got both V8s in and have one's shaft aligned. Blame Covid-19 on the delays!!!!!!!! We don't have our Bravo one drives on yet but will soon. We did notice that bellhousings appear to have significant tow out. My cheap manual is not real clear on the correct amount that is OK. Both ODs...
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    Alpha Couplers used on Bravo 1s?

    I purchased a used boat that I had to replace transom. Believe me, this job has taken its tole on my old body! I have owned Mercruisers V8s since the 80s. All were Alphas. An incompetent marine surveyor missed the rot! Motors are carbureted (Edlebrock) retro-ed 350s to "stroker" Chevys. Not...
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    Mercruiser alignment issues

    I have performed Chevy V8 motor/alignments at least a dozen times in my life but now I am experiencing issues. I was careful to torque flywheel and coupler to specs after making sure that there was NO contamination on mated surfaces. I raised or lowered engine to where I could freely insert and...
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    Base timing on TB 5 Chevy V8 350/383 Carburated?

    My book explains how to set base timing on motors but only refers to timing tab diagram that shows 8 degrees advanced, after grounding a specific colored coil wire. It does NOT say 8 degrees, but tab is marked at 8 degrees. I assume 8 degrees, then???
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    Are MC Stainless Steel Risers Worth it?

    The only salt water going through my exhaust system is through the risers. I have heat exchangers. I have been told that Stainless steel risers tend to crack and leak more so than cast iron ones, due to cold sea water colliding with hot exhaust gasses. SS likes to warp! Anyone experience good...
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    Mercruiser Alternator on Chevy v8?

    While motor was out and being painted before being reinstalled, I examined and phot-ed alternator. I could not find any numbers or decals to indicate model/brand/amps, etc. Anyone recognize it and its amps? I'd like to know, just in case I need to order a new or more powerful one. It has a red...
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    Shelf life of unopened Styrene?

    I live in Florida and it gets hot. April typically ends in 85 degree days and climbing. In my opinion, you can thin polyester resin with acetone but it is not as effective as styrene. Soaking bare plywood with thinned polyester allows the solution to soak into the vineers before applying the...
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    Testing Mercruiser Risers

    Exhausts manifolds are FAIRLY easy to test and should be done yearly(my opinion). Plug 1" heater hose on the manifold with a 1" wooden dowel inside hose. Position the manifold so that you can pour acetone into it the water or anti-freeze cavity and let sit for a few minutes. You can then shine...
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    2005 282 Grady White Fiberglass Question

    This may not be the correct forum???? I friend is pondering buying a 2005 Grady. I had heard that they have had a lot of delamination and transom/stringer rot issues. But, it seems to me that the industry went total synthetic around 1995, so there should not be rot issues on a 2005 Grady. He is...
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    Mercruiser transom assembly torquing?

    I am going over (again) two different torque values listed in two service manual downloads. On my Bravo 1s, there are (8) 7/16" studs going through my transom connecting my Mecruiser gimbal housing to its corresponding inner transom plate. I have torqued all (8) corresponding 7/16" fine thread...
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    What is this on "feeze plug?"

    I have never seen a brass freeze plug with, what appears to be, an aluminum wafer glued or pressed on to it. I have included photo, but flash has bleached out the aluminum (size of a nickel) part. Motors are anti-freeze cooled, so saltwater should never be able to eat out. These are V8 Chevy...
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    Thunderbolt V vs 350 Mag Stern Drive Ignition Module?

    I Purchased boat a couple years back and have taken too long to restore it. Way too long... But, all is almost complete. Former owner indicated MC V8s had Thunderbolt V ignition systems with knock sensors. While motors were on stands, I noticed that "350 Mag Stern Drive" labels were on both...
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    Can't get oil to rocker arms on MC

    I pulled both MC v8s last years in lieu of replacing transom and other cosmetic repairs. Motors were running excellent just before the time of pulling. Both are antifreeze cooled. Both remained covered and on stands inside my enclosed boat's cockpit area (and drained of excessive...
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