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  1. N

    overheating, what can I rule out?

    1988, 5.7 L mercruiser with alpha 1 gen1. 140 deg thermostat.<br /><br />New exhaust manifolds, risers, and ciruclation pump last season. <br /><br />Over the winter new water hose at bellhousing and new impeller. The old impeller was fully intact.<br /><br />Upon first start up of season when...
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    Identifying ignition system

    I have a 1988 mcm 5.7 merc with alpha 1. I have read about the different types of ingition systems used and am unsure which I have. I believe it is a thunderbolt ingnition, but really am not sure. Is there a quick way to id this by looking at my distributor cap or anything else?<br /><br />If I...
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    best way to bed a hatch.

    I have a recurring leak issue with a 22" square hatch on a 24' power boat. I can't seem to keep the water out. I am wondering what the best ways to seal in a hatch and keep water out are?
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    there is a rock in my hole

    I have an 1988 alpha 1 transom assembly and there are two approx 1" diameter holes on the both the port and starboard sides along the edge of the lower section of my gimbal housing. I can figure out what these are for. At first I was thinking they were access holes for some nuts deep within, but...
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    Exhaust bellows = 2 clamps. Why Exhaust tube only 1?

    I have read in previous forums that many v8's have issues with back pressure expanding the exaust bellows and therefor an exaust tube is often used instead.<br /><br />My current rig has exhaust bellows and no tube. These bellows aren't horrendously damaged, but are getting old and I am...
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    drawback of low hours

    I bought a boat this past spring with a raw water cooled 1988 5.7L alpha 1. The engine only had 288 hours on it. This is in new england so the seasons are short, but without a doubt these are very low hours for its age. The owner was very old and had the yard maintain it every year, but almost...
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    bending skeg of lower unit

    The lower portion of the lower unit is bent. If you were to sight along the bottom of the boat from forward to aft you'd see that instead of pointing at 6 oClock, the seg is bent such that it's .. well.. 5:45. The outdrive it only bent along this axis and is not twisted in any other way. I am...
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    locking nut on alpha 1 outdrive & no Key

    I just bought the boat this past spring. One of the six bolts that fastens the outdrive (1988 alpha 1) has a locking nut on it - I assume to prevent theft. Problem is, is that I never got that key, and the previous owner (2nd owner) never removed the drive nor had the original key. Assuming I...
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    shrink wrap supplier in MA

    I'd like to buy a roll of shrink wrap in the Boston area. Can anyone suggest a local supplier?
  10. N

    how to winterize without water supply

    I have a 5.7L raw water cooled w/ alpha 1 outdrive. <br /><br />If I keep my boat in a boat yard and there is no water supply nearby, is there any reliable way to still keep water flowing to cool the engine so I can do my own winterization?<br /><br />Someone had suggested keeping a few 6 gallon...
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    how to install new heads

    Mechanic told me that #6 valve (intake I believe) was tuliped and some other ones weren't seating too well. He said that both sides really ought to have valve job and is sending them out in trade for reman heads + $700. <br /><br />When the new heads come in, what's the process for installing...
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    new parts or new engine?

    Current rig: 1988 raw water cooled 5.7 Mercruiser. 320 hours and gen1 alhpa outdrive.<br /><br />Engine is clean and runs well, but needs a valve job (deformed valve heads at #6) and it's also time to replace manifolds and risers. $500 worth of parts and labor already been spent to replace...
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    How to replace manifold + risers

    Engine is a 1988 mercruiser 5.7 raw water cooled sterndrive with about 300 hours and original manifold and risers. I think it's prudent to replace these and I'm curious what is involved. Is it just a matter unbolting and rebolting parts on and off, or is there more to it than that? Can anyone...
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    1988 Mercruiser 5.7L bogs randomly

    I just recently have begun experiencing a problem with my 1988 5.7L Mercruiser Stern-drive bogging down. The problem seems to occur at any throttle position, and I've experienced it immediately upon a fresh start and also after an hour or so of use. It seems a lot like the engine is being...
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