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    introduction

    Hello, I have been an avid reader of the Merc forum for the last year and a half. However, my old 1972 3 cylinder Merc 650 "Tower of Turd" threw a rod two weekends ago and I have decided to replace it with a Johnson (1989 90hp), primarily to see just what the difference is between the two...
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    one year boating this month, thanks to iboats!

    I was on ebay looking for a trailer to haul my DJ gear in and instead ended up buying a boat for $700. Of course it wouldn't start when I took it home. A couple of posts in the Mercury forum (coupled with the good luck that I have been blessed with), a little bit of troubleshooting, and a...
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    flying fish - coolest thing ever!

    I have only been boating since November of last year (and probably wouldn't be at all if it weren't for the help of the Mercury forum here on iboats). I am in South Florida and the weather here this weekend finally allowed me to take my 17' Hewes fish/ski into the ocean for the first time. The...
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    is nasty hot canal water going to overheat my outboard?

    As I am driving through 90 degree canal water down here in SFL, I am wondering how hot the water can get before it no longer properly cools the outboard. Anyone had any issues with this? Thanks, -E
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    Preventative maintenance on Mercontrol

    I have a 70s era blue band single lever Mercontrol that works fantastic and I'd like to keep it that way. From what I have read on here, it's a nightmare to get back together if it is opened. Is there any sort of PM I can do on this unit to help it live longer or is it better to just leave it...
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    I need my own section

    My Labor Day adventure, from the novice boater who recently brought you "I forgot my plug":<br /><br />First, I ran my engine aground (I word it this way to distinguish it from running my hull aground, which happens later in this story) while trying to maneuver just north of the St Lucie Inlet...
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    I now join club "I forgot to put the plug in"

    I forgot to put the plug in today, actually didn't notice until I was away from the dock and heading down the river! Luckily I always do a check of the bilge box after I get away from the dock area. Thanks to all the stuff I have learned here I had a spare plug on board and I knew to put the...
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    insanely hard to get impeller in housing?

    I just changed the impeller on my 72 650 (3 cylinder) and was wondering if it is normal for it to be insanely difficult to get the new impeller in the housing? <br /><br />The service manual said to put the impeller on and then put the housing on while turning the drive shaft. All this seemed...
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    QA2078R available in Flo Torq 2 hub?

    I am getting a(nother) new prop from here and I am fairly confused. The merc service manual suggested a 11.5x13, and the first time I bought a Michigan Match of this size. It worked great but since I destroyed it the first day out, I decided to try a genuine Merc this time. Merc Parts Express...
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    Lube point for 72 650 transom mount tilt tube

    Hello,<br /><br />My manual tilt 72 650 is getting harder and harder to tilt! I am trying to determine the lube point for the tilt tube and I can't locate one. I see that some of the other models have zirc fittings on the front of the tube, however, mine does not. I have the Merc factory...
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    4 hour prop

    I got my new prop from iboats last week, then during its first use today, hit something (I think it was an alligator, I was in the Everglades) and bent two of the ears about 60 degrees backwards. Luckily I was close to the ramp, because I can't reach the prop nut from inside the boat and those...
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    to cover or not

    I cannot decide whether I should be covering my boat or not. It's a 1969 17' runabout and I am down here in humid South Florida. My thoughts are like this:<br /><br />Cover:<br />(Yes) - The boat will rot and mold in this humid environment<br /><br />(No) - The boat will have gelcoat exposed...
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    any relationship between water depth and likelihood of prop venting?

    Before I troubleshoot a problem that might be nonexistent, is there any relationship between water depth and the likelihood that a prop will ventilate on the hole shot? A new prop that has worked OK in the ocean was ventilating fairly frequently in a 10 foot deep inland river this weekend, and...
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    spline washer and tab washer question

    Hello,<br /><br />I am replacing a Mercury prop of unknown pitch (numbers are worn off) with a Michigan Wheel 032043 on the lower unit of a 72 Merc 650. I selected that prop (11 3/4 x 12) as a starting point based on the propping charts in the motor's service manual. <br /><br />The current...
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    7 1/2" keel roller

    Hello,<br /><br />I have a keel roller that measures 7 1/2" from one end of the rubber to the other. Is that actually referred to as an 8" roller, or do I have an oddball trailer setup?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />E
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    greasing distributor

    Hello,<br /><br />There is a grease fitting on the distributor of my 72 3 cyl merc 650 . I am wondering how much grease I should apply there. Is a couple of pumps good, or is there instead some sort of visual or pump-resistance indication that I should be looking for?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />E
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    trailer configuration for 69 hewes tarpon

    Hello,<br /><br />I am not pleased with the current configuration of my trailer, as the bunks are scraping the lapstrake joints. The trailer seems to be an odd configuration, based on what I have read. It has an H-shaped wobble roller assembly on each side of the back, keel rollers up the...
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    propping my 65hp from scratch

    Hello,<br /><br />My Merc 650 has an unmarked prop on it. It's pretty beat up so I want to replace it. I have the factory service manual and it recommends one of two props for my 17 foot boat:<br /><br />11.5x13 (32-37 mph)<br />11.75x12 (27-34 mph)<br /><br />The thing I am wondering about is...
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    Do I have to drain gear oil before removing lower unit?

    Hello,<br /><br />I misaligned my shift lever when reassembling my lower unit. Do I have to re-drain the lower unit lube or can I drop the lower unit without draining the lube? This is on a 72 merc 650. I suspect the oil will stay inside just fine but I figured I'd ask so my big "tribute to...
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    Good operating RPM

    Hello,<br /><br />I am a very new boater and I am trying to gain a better understanding of engine RPM and the effect on motor wear. I believe, based on what I have read, that excessive idling causes carbon buildup and can also cause plug fouling. I have also read that running at WOT can cause...
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