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  1. FreeBeeTony

    Fuel Consumption

    Preparing to venture offshore with my 350 Vortec....<br /><br />Have never calculated (or really even noticed) the fuel consumtion of my rig. Honestly, up to this point, haven't had the need to!<br /><br />Anyway, does anyone have an educated estimate of much fuel I might burn at let's say...
  2. FreeBeeTony

    Tuning the Vortec

    Went out fishing today. <br /><br />Boat ran fine with the 17" prop and seemed to accelerate better (smoother) with the stronger springs in the carb.<br /><br />WOT was at ~4400 with 3 adults and some fishing gear.....water wasn't flat either.<br /><br />I like the 17" prop better than the...
  3. FreeBeeTony

    I THINK I MAY NEED A BIGGER PROP!!!

    Just got back from a short fishing trip.<br /><br />Really went out for a test ride.........<br /><br />IT'S FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Let's see who can put their finger on it.<br /><br />All I will say is it wasn't fuel or ignition related.<br /><br />Boy am I happy........it was screaming...
  4. FreeBeeTony

    Vortec Test

    Not quite what I had in mind.........<br /><br />Slowly bought up the throttle, backfired through the carb and lost power. I backed off the throttle, seemed to idle ok. Tried again, same result. tried again and seemed to clear out. Thought maybe a clog in the carb?<br /><br />Was able to...
  5. FreeBeeTony

    HELP- Exhaust Bellows Came Off

    Durng a final check-out, I raised the outdrive all the way to check the anti-foulng paint.<br /><br />To my suprise I found the exhaust bellows came off the gimbal housing!!!<br /><br />Any tips on getting it back on?<br />Please don't tell me I have to remove the outdrive and bell housing.<br...
  6. FreeBeeTony

    Prop Size

    As most of you know I had a low RPM problem last year. At the end of my troubleshooting nightmare I discovered I was losing a cylinder at ~3200RPM. After removing the heads it looked like I was ingesting water (anti-freeze) in one of the cylinders.<br /><br />I replaced the heads and intake...
  7. FreeBeeTony

    Canvas

    Does canvas shrink during winter storage?<br /><br />I installed my bimini top this w/e after being stored for the winter.<br /><br />Boy was it a tight fit!<br /><br />Hope the eisenglass goes on easier..........<br /><br />Any tips on making the installation easier?
  8. FreeBeeTony

    Bilge Pump Wiring

    My bilge pump is wired using a 3 position switch: on-off-on. I am assuming it's on-off-on (auto).<br /><br />Seems like the float switch is wired through this dash switch. I can't shut the batteries off like this, then the float switch won't operate.<br /><br />In my last boat, I diode-ored the...
  9. FreeBeeTony

    Vortec is Awake

    I brought the Vortec to life today.<br /><br />After some smoke....it smoothed-out nicely.<br /><br />When I started it in the fall I noticed a strange noise coming from the rear of the engine.<br />The outdrive wasn't installed at the time.<br />Heard the same noise today......almose seemed to...
  10. FreeBeeTony

    Zinc Anode Gasket

    I recently replaced the Zinc on my Mercruiser outdrive, the one under the trim cylinder manifold.<br /><br />Is there supposed to be a gasket in between the zinc and the manifold?
  11. FreeBeeTony

    Colored Caulk

    I just finished painting the cockpit on the 24 footer....used Interlux Perfection. Came out very nice.......used the roll/tip method. Worked out very well.<br /><br />I removed the floor panels over the gas tanks.<br /><br />When I re-install the panels, I would like to try to get caulik the...
  12. FreeBeeTony

    Painting Outdrive

    How far in advance of putting the boat in the water can I paint the outdrive with the anti-fouling paint?<br /><br />If I paint it this w/e can I wait 2-3 weeks to put it in the water?
  13. FreeBeeTony

    Boat Lettering

    I would like to change the nam of my boat.<br /><br />It has what appears to be "stick-on" letters.<br /><br />What is the best way to remove them and, where is the best place to get new ones?
  14. FreeBeeTony

    Non-skid Additive

    I am in the process of painting the floor of this 24' Grady. I plan on using Interlux Perfection.<br /><br />I currently have 2 coats of primer applied, am hoping to put the first coat of color on tomorrow.<br /><br />I would like to add the non-skid additive to only a portion of the floor. I...
  15. FreeBeeTony

    Bellows Replacement

    I have been reading everything I could on the bellows replacement.<br /><br />I have basically decided to do the job but have a few questions:<br /><br />1) should I replace the shift cable?<br />2) should I replace the gimbal bearing?<br />3) what about these bushings/shaft seal?<br /><br...
  16. FreeBeeTony

    Vacuum at WOT

    Was thinking about this today..........<br /><br />During the troubleshooting process last season of my low WOT I did the vacuum test. I took readings at various RPM's and I learned that the vacuum of an engine goes down to almost nothing at WOT.<br /><br />Question: Is this due to the fact that...
  17. FreeBeeTony

    Missing Clamp on Shift Cable Bellows

    While inspecting my u-joint bellows I noticed a clamp missing from the shift cable bellows. The clamp miissing was on the smaller end of the bellows.<br /><br />Any ideas on what problems this could cause?<br /><br />I bought the boat last season when it was in the water........
  18. FreeBeeTony

    Battery Selection

    I have decided to purchase 2 new dual purpose batteries this season. I am looking at the ones at West Marine . The battery boxes installed in the boat are the ones to accomodate the 24 series batteries. Are these adequate for a 350 Magnum Mercruiser. They are installed with a switch where I...
  19. FreeBeeTony

    Replacing fuel fill hose

    While doing some painting I removed the hatch/cover over the fual tank.<br /><br />I noticed that the fuel fll line looks kinda porous........<br /><br />I did smell gas lasr season only when i filled up.<br /><br />Doesn't look like a very easy job.<br /><br />Any suggestions on making it any...
  20. FreeBeeTony

    Cleaning Metal Trim

    Any tips on cleaning metal trim?<br />Like the stuff around windshields, seat pedestals, around engine covers, etc.....<br /><br />The metal is somewhat pitted. How can you clean it and remove the pitting?
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