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  1. Stinnett21

    View of unloaded trailer with pickups

    Shopping for a new tow vehicle. For the last 15 years I've towed with a 2004 Lexus GX 470. My boat is 21 foot. When backing the trailer to retrieve the boat I can stretch up and turn and look and still see the back 1/4 of the trailer (it has no guide posts although I realize they could be...
  2. Stinnett21

    Brake based limited slip differentials

    I think mechanical limited slip differentials are becoming a thing of the past. Most today are electronic brake-based. Can anyone with a 2WD truck with a brake-based limited slip share their experience on boat ramps? I'm considering such a buy in the future to tow a 4000 lb. rig.
  3. Stinnett21

    boat trailer calipers vs auto

    I've worked on the calipers for my boat trailer but never on automotive calipers. Due to the fact that boat trailer calipers are routinely dunked in water I was wondering if the boots for the slider bolts were made more water proof than their auto counterparts. If they are indeed tighter and...
  4. Stinnett21

    Dragging caliper away from home

    Hypothetical: My boat trailer has disc brakes on all 4. While 50 miles from home I notice a wheel is getting very hot. I jack it up to discover the caliper is dragging. What can I do to alleviate the situation so I can limp home? Aside from locking out the brakes completely, the only thing I...
  5. Stinnett21

    Kicker motor vs towing

    Considering a kicker in the future for safety concerns, i.e. not trolling. For those who have kickers, do you tow with them mounted? I see that Panther Marine says to ALWAYS remove the motor prior to towing. Now I suspect very few really do this and that is considered "attorney" language...
  6. Stinnett21

    Slip/moored boat what do you do with your trailer?

    For those who slip/moor their trailerable boats, where do you store your trailer? I live in an HOA. Unless I have a friend with a farm, which I don't, I suppose I'd have to pay for storage. Just wondering what others do.
  7. Stinnett21

    Lubricating starter motor shaft 5.0 MPI

    Page 1B-58 of Mercruiser Service Manual #31 (October 2001) details a procedure for lubricating the starter motor shaft. It says to remove a plastic plug from the flywheel housing and lubricate the shaft with motor oil. I currently have the back of the boat taken apart for other maintenance...
  8. Stinnett21

    Another MPI fogging question

    Out of curiosity just so I understand, when I disconnect the boats fuel line in order to connect a remote tank (Attwood 3 gal outboard tank) I plug the end of the boats fuel line. I have at times dropped the hose while fiddling with it yet no fuel came out. Additionally, when I go to connect...
  9. Stinnett21

    Aluminum trailer boating in salt

    I've never boated on the coast but would love to before my hour glass is empty. I know the protocol is to wash down and flush motor asap after exiting the ramp. But exactly how does this work with an aluminum boat sitting on the trailer? How does one rinse between the bunks and hull? These...
  10. Stinnett21

    MPI fogging mixture vs fuel return

    Let me see if I understand this correctly. On my 2002 5.0 MPI (serial #0M345638) the fuel pump puts pressure on the injectors, so much so that all of the fuel pushed to the injectors is not used but some is returned to the fuel filter. So when Merc recommends a 10:1 fogging mixture, 10:1 is...
  11. Stinnett21

    Merc prop selector

    Not that I'm loosing sleep over it but I wonder why the Mercury prop selector doesn't mention more prop families for my boat (21' bowrider 5.0MPI A2). No matter what parameters I input it never recommends the Mirage or the Tempest Plus.
  12. Stinnett21

    Date/name of Mercury props

    Does anyone know why Mercury chose to name what I believe is one of their newest props, the Spitfire aluminum, the same as one of their existing props, the Spitfire X7 which is SST? Seems like strange marketing.
  13. Stinnett21

    Alpha 2 not coming out of gear after new interrupt switch.

    2002 Alpha gen 2, 5.0 MPI serial 0M345638. In the spirit of preventive maintenance I replaced my 20 year old 1500 hour shift interrupt switch. I removed the shift plate to reach the small nuts on the back of the switch and put everything back together. Now it won’t come out of forward for...
  14. Stinnett21

    UFP Trailer Buddy retaining ring

    Has anyone ever removed the retaining ring from a UFP Trailer Buddy bearing protector to replace the zerk? When I try to remove the zerk the piston spins. I don't like the idea of simply replacing the entire protector because every time you remove one it slops out the bore of the hub.
  15. Stinnett21

    Tach at 0 when cranking 5.0 MPI

    I have a 2002 5.0 MPI A1 G2 serial 0M345638. I noticed my tach acting erratic only for a few seconds the other day. First time I've noticed this in 19 seasons and 1490 hours with the boat. After this I noticed the tach went to 0 when cranking. According to other posts on the forum I think it...
  16. Stinnett21

    Going electric vs marinas

    Man, everyone is working on electric power for the future. I see where tax incentives will be offered in the future for non-on the road vehicles, i.e. boats, RVs, aircraft, etc. Just wondering, how would this affect marinas? They would have to have charging stations. This would eat up a lot...
  17. Stinnett21

    Manual #31 spark plug torque

    Manual #31 page 4B-4 says the torque for my 2002 5.0 MPI spark plugs should be 15 Nm/11 lb-ft. Dang that seems light. Does this sound correct? Appreciate any input.
  18. Stinnett21

    Considering upgrading this season - prop exchange programs

    Considering undergoing a prop upgrade this season. I understand the technical aspects of prop optimization but what I have not experienced is the in/outs of dealing with prop retailers. If I want to get really dialed in I understand I need a retailer that offers an exchange program. I...
  19. Stinnett21

    Removing remnants of elbow to manifold gasket on still attached manifold

    Changing my elbow to manifold gaskets on my 2002 5.0 MPI (0M345638). I wasn't going to change the manifold to block gasket so the manifold is still attached. This is my first time doing this. This may be a dumb question but how careful do I need to be when scrapping off the remnants of the...
  20. Stinnett21

    Rusty film/staining on input shaft and inner ring of gimbal bearing

    Just pulled my alpha 2 drive (OM424120) and noticed a rusty film/stain on the input shaft where it contacts the gimbal bearing where the two o-rings are and of course on the inner ring of the bearing itself. No signs of water intrusion. Bellows is dry and I know for certain water has not...
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