Search results

  1. greg82255

    Repower Questions, Alpha One Horsepower Rating

    Hello, I currently have a 1986 Formula 206 Spyder with a Merc 260/Alpha One. It does about 50 on a good day, but I'd really like to get some more speed out of it (60??). The engine has 800 hours, and I don't want to invest a lot of $ into an old motor, so I am thinking of buying a long block...
  2. greg82255

    Eagle Trailer Needs a New Bunk

    Hello, I just bought a 22' Formula sitting on a 1989 Eagle dual-axle Trailer. I noticed that one of the bunks was sagging slightly off the hull, and today once the boat was in the water for the season I took a closer look. I tried to pick the bunk up where it was sagging and the bunk crumbled...
  3. greg82255

    Engine shifts into gear, hard to shift out of gear

    Hello, I have a 1986 Merc 260/Alpha One. It shifts from neutral into forward or neutral into reverse without any problem, but getting it to shift from either forward or reverse into neutral is really hard. I have to pull on the shifter very hard, and one time I even jumped from forward right...
  4. greg82255

    Merc 260 Oil Pressure

    What should be the PSI reading on the gauge for my 1986 Mercruiser 260? My old 305 had 60 PSI according to the gauge. This one is only reading about 30 PSI but goes up slightly when on plane. Is this OK or should I stop using it before it causes a big problem?
  5. greg82255

    How to mount a 33C Shift Cable on a Mercruiser Shifter

    Hello, I have a Formula with a 1986 Merc 350/Alpha one. I just replaced the shifter/throttle and had to switch to 33C cables. I purchased an adapter kit from teleflex that allows the 33C cable to work with the mercruiser shift assembly. Unfortunately this adapter kit is made entirely of plastic...
  6. greg82255

    Will this distributor work with my engine?

    Hello, I have a 1986 Merc 260/Alpha One with a thunderbolt IV ignition system. I posted earlier today because it wasn't working and I went through the troubleshooting and found that I need a new ignition amplifier. The part is around $460 from Mercruiser and I found $380 elsewhere. I found a...
  7. greg82255

    Engine Won't Start

    Hello, I have a 1986 Mercruiser 260/Alpha One, thunderbolt IV ignition system. Ran the boat for 20 minutes this morning, it was running fine then started sputtering and stalling every few seconds. I could get it started and it would sputter and then quickly die. Then it wouldn't start at all...
  8. greg82255

    Alpha One Shifts Into Forward, Not Reverse

    Hello, I have a 1986 Mercruiser 350/Alpha One. I bought the boat last October and test drove it and all worked fine. This spring I removed the lower unit to change the water pump impeller and I'm pretty sure I put everything back together correctly (everything was in forward gear). I then...
  9. greg82255

    Sealing Through-Hull Exhaust

    Hello, I have a 1986 Formula 206 that has one of Formula's bolt-on swim platforms. There is about a 1 inch gap in between the swim platform and the boat's transom. I am installing a through hull exhaust and am trying to figure out how to seal the pipes properly. I know the pipes come with...
  10. greg82255

    Engine Won't Start

    Hello, I have a 1982 Checkmate with a Mercruiser 898 of the same year. Everything ran fine when I winterized it last year. I went to put the battery in and start it up this weekend, turned the key and got nothing, not even a click. I have seen the post in the adults only section about how to...
  11. greg82255

    Smoking 350

    Hello, Just bought a 1986 Formula at the end of last year with a Mercruiser 260/Alpha One of the same year. I just put in new oil, a new water pump, dist cap, rotor, wires, plugs, and replaced the exhaust manifolds/risers about 2 weeks ago. I started up the engine and it runs fine but I...
  12. greg82255

    Through Hull Exhaust Cutouts

    Hello, I was cutting holes for through hull exhaust on my 1986 Formula 206 today. The boat is setup for this and has a thin section of the transom where the holes should be cut. However, the sections for the cutouts on the swim platform (which is bolted to the transom) did not line up properly...
  13. greg82255

    Mercruiser Riser Gaskets

    Hello, I know this issue has been brought up before (both by myself and other members), but I have a slightly different question. I just got new exhaust manifolds and risers for my 1986 Merc 260/Alpha One. I went out and bought a set of Mercruiser gaskets because I was told on this site to use...
  14. greg82255

    How do you install a neutral safety switch?

    Are there a set of standard directions for installing a neutral safety switch, or are they different for each shifter? If it is standard, how does one go about doing it? Also, where can I buy a new switch for a kiekhafer dual lever shifter? I saw in a thread from another site that you can pick...
  15. greg82255

    Are neutral safety switches universal?

    Hello, I am looking to purchase a set of Kiekhafer Controls on Ebay - here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130502482843&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT I emailed the seller and he said it does not come with a neutral safety switch. Are...
  16. greg82255

    Easiest way to drain oil on a 350?

    Hello, I have a 1986 Formula 206 Spyder with a Mercruiser 260/Alpha One, same year. After starting another thread I was told I need to drain the oil from my motor, and I am remembering what a pain it was last time because the drain bolt is on the bottom of the oil pan. Is there an easy way to...
  17. greg82255

    Water inside Exhaust Manifolds?

    Hello, I have a 1986 Merc 260/Alpha One. I was planning to replace the risers this year. After I drained the antifreeze out of the manifold, I pulled the port side riser off and found a liquid inside the manifold. It was on the inside where the exhaust gases come out. I'm not sure if it was...
  18. greg82255

    Dual Batteries... Do you need to use the same batteries?

    Hello, I have a 1986 Formula 206 with a Merc 260/Alpha One. It's currently setup with dual batteries, both of which need replacing. I was wondering is it necessary to use the same batteries or can they be different? I already have one new deep cycle marine battery but I can get a huge discount...
  19. greg82255

    Mercruiser Riser Gasket

    Hello, I have a 1986 Mercruiser 260 /Alpha One. I'm replacing the exhaust manifolds and risers and have heard that people often have problems with the manifold to riser gasket not sealing properly. I don't want to end up with water in the cylinders, so I'm wondering, is there any type of...
  20. greg82255

    Alpha One Leaking Gear Oil?

    Hello, I have a 1986 Mercruiser 260/Alpha One. I have been away at school for the last month or so, came back for the weekend and went outside to look at the boat. There's a little bit of snow around the drive, but I took a closer look and saw a lot of green-colored snow right beneath the oil...
Top