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    4.3 spark arrestor replacements

    A 2 bbl 4.3 engine usually produces about 170HP. The 4 bbl 4.3LX produces 205HP. Are there any other differences between the 4.3 and 4.3LX other than carb and intake manifold?
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    Rust, generally how to clean and best spray to keep it from rusting?

    I like the Rustolium rusty metal primer or the Rustolium clean metal primer. These need to be covered with a topcoat of paint, as they are rather soft.
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    Changing 4 stroke motor oil

    Marine engines operate under more load than automobiles. They therefore require oils that do not thin out as much as automotive oils. The spec for marine engine oil is FCW (Four Cycle Water cooled). I would stick with the proper oil.
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    2006 40hpELPTO 2 stroke, is some white smoke normal?

    White smoke is usually steam. On a cold day, some is to be expected out the exhaust. You should not see much/any on a warm day. The temp of the engine is controlled by the thermostat. If it fails, the engine could start to overheat, causing steam even on a warm day. Thermostats do not last...
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    4.3 spark arrestor replacements

    Gee, my spark arrestor was a lot more than a screen. It was a stack of aluminum plates, riveted together. I cleaned it every year.
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    Rust, generally how to clean and best spray to keep it from rusting?

    Only use "cold galvanize" paint if the area to be painted is galvanized steel. if it is painted steel, the rust is best removed, the area primed with a good rust resistant primer and a top coat of paint applied.
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    4.3 spark arrestor replacements

    It should be cleaned every off season. As it is all metal, most any solvent is fine. I often hosed it off after the solvent cleaned off the dirt.
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    to vent or not to vent, that is the shrink wrap question

    Generally, you want ventilation. It is very hard to keep water and moisture out, so letting it dry is essential. I cover my boats with a simple ridge pole and tarp. I leave the rear open around the outboard motor hood to allow ventilation. In the spring, mildew is usually pretty light as...
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    1988 Merc 115 inline 6-Rough in low gear only after WOT

    Tough one...check for exhaust leak under cowling, or simply run it with wrap cowling off.
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    What type sterndrive

    Check the u-joint yoke that the oil seal rides on. Often these get grooved and will ruin a new seal in a short time. The fix is to replace.
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    1978 Mercury M-800 starting issues

    Mercury starters are usually held in place by rubber mounts. They therefore need a good ground cable to the block. You might check yours for corrosion.
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    Stringer rotten

    Gee, there is no way to tell IMO. Can you reach everything you need to grind out to fix the stringer? If so, the cap can stay on. Unfortunately, a rotten stringer is usually the indicator of other rotten structural components. If you keep the cap on, and the transom need replacement, it...
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    Help Buying Boat

    Those boats and motors are pretty old. Experienced guys can check the compression and gearcase, plus the overall condition of the hull. Generally if the motor has good compression and the gearcase is good, the rest can be fixed for reasonable money, if they do the work themselves. If you...
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    Shifter on 97 Crestliner with a 97 90hp Johnson

    It is a real simple system. Make sure the throttle is in neutral. Push and hold the button, and move the throttle forward. You may need to move it 45* (say to 3 o'clock position) before the throttle advances.
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    Please help.Motor keeps locking???

    Whereas seizure of the engine can be caused by overheat, it can also be caused by a lean air fuel mixture (dirty carb) or low or missing oil in the fuel. Do you mix the oil with the gasoline or does it have oil injection? If the latter, you should suspect it is not working properly. It...
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    Won't acccelerate

    The motor is a 2 cycle XR6, likely from 2001 or older. I doubt it is under warranty.
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    Won't acccelerate

    A lot of Mercs tend to stumble upon acceleration, if the carbs are set too lean, as most do not have accelerator pumps on the carbs. That is about as simple as it gets. You should have 6 mixture screws.
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    Mercury 135 not running

    You must be sure the carbs are clean and the timing is correct. Make sure you use the correct prop and the thermostats and poppit are working properly.
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    Start/turn over 2014 mercury 4 cycle 60 hp from the back of the boat

    Sure, put a momentary switch on the starter solenoid primary winding.
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    mercury blackmax 150 power/wot problems

    Duke is correct, and I mislead. Once you set the idle pickup timing and max spark advance, you push the throttle closed, which retards the timing, until you achieve the correct idle speed. Then set the idle stop screw to that point, and then adjust the throttle cable to push the throttle...
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