Search results

  1. B

    Blew up my outboard, installing throttle cable on replacement

    So back in May I did this: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engine-repair-and-maintenance/mercury-mariner-outboards/9941790-merc-70-possibly-blown-up-in-driveway-stupid-human-tricks (Cliff's notes: I blew up a great 70hp Merc in my driveway). I got a clean, and newer, 75 hp Merc finally hooked...
  2. B

    Merc 70 possibly blown up in driveway - stupid human tricks

    Motor is an oil injected 70 with an oil pump that still works (probably going to bypass it soon). I installed new controls this past weekend and was trying to get it running on muffs. Boat sat in the garage for 1.5 years while I restored it. I had a hard time moving the idle speed lever and I...
  3. B

    Is there a thread for stupid previous owner tricks?

    I have finally gotten my boat working after fixing some things the PO let go too long. I've had three enjoyable weekends out on the Potomac. It's my first boat that worked - I had a project that I never got into the water and wasted two years on (thread in the resto forum). I was cleaning...
  4. B

    Blew it on my first day out - barely moving/almost stranded :(

    First time launching a boat yesterday, first time in my own boat :) - didn't screw the launch up, puttered up a long no wake zone (Occoquan River headed to Potomac) and noticed a lot of boats were sticking to the right side in one spot...I guess I didn't realize why and found myself in some...
  5. B

    70 hp '88 Merc stuck down, supposed to take it out today for first time :/

    I recently acquired a boat with a dying trim motor (horrible noises, almost dead) and a leaking center trim piston. I was going to manually trim it up until I have time to address these issues. Problem: I can't lift the motor! Did lots of searches here and tried the following: I opened the...
  6. B

    New boater/new owner, 70hp '88 Merc, what's this line?

    New to me boat has the above-mentioned motor, and this line hanging off the front of the lower. What is it? I would expect a water pressure line to be up on the powerhead. Mille gracias, Dave
  7. B

    Manually trim motor?

    Total newb here - I finally have a boat with a RUNNING motor. The trim pump is screeching and needs to be rebuilt as it is not basically inop. Until I get it rebuilt, given the shape of my hull, should I trim it up with a rod a few holes? Mille gracias! Dave Manassas VA
  8. B

    '69 Renken

    Well, I'm back. My old project never got off the ground, or in the water, so to speak. I could never get the motor running the way I wanted to get it on the water and I sold the thing...
  9. B

    1400 still leaking gas, should I shoot IT or myself?

    The top carb on my 1400 started leaking right after I fixed the middle carb (figures). Was shooting gas out the little overflow hole. Opened it up, the float was total trash and falling apart. Replaced it with a brand new one. Started leaking from carb itself. Installed new needle and...
  10. B

    Help buffing new paint

    Disclosure: I have searched and found mountains of information on gelcoat buffing, what compounds to use on paint to buff it, etc., but nothing on my question, which is: With new paint, well set for months, three coats of Rustoleum topsides - how many passes can I make with a buffer? This...
  11. B

    1400 replace needle valve/starter maint questions

    Per advice from you folks I ordered a needle valve kit for a carb on my 1400 that was puking gas. Got this off the carb after removing the starter. I see two little spring loaded arms and a brass nut. Do the arms come off or do I just finagle the nut off somehow? Any advice for a dummy...
  12. B

    Gas leak Merc 1400

    Thanks to this forum my Merc finally has a new timing belt and has been re-timed. It's finally running on muffs for extended periods. However, as you can see from this image of the middle carb, gas is leaking down above it from the top carb area. See pic. Specifically, it looks like...
  13. B

    Rustoleum topside question re: finishing - how much wet sanding can I do?

    I have three good coats of rolled/tipped Rustoleum topside on the neverending project. I started wet-sanding with 1000 grit to get some runs and brush strokes knocked down, but before I get to far I wanted to ask: Just how much can I sand down? One firm pass? A couple? I don't want to hit...
  14. B

    Spark test (video!) and mystery wire questions Thunderbolt 1400

    Spring is in the air which means I am back in the garage working on the neverending project, part of which is the probably-too-big '72 1400 hanging off the back. I finally finished redoing the timing belt and re-assembling everything properly. Now I'm trying to diagnose a no-start using this...
  15. B

    Finish Rustoleum coat

    Obligatory I-searched-for-a-long-time-and-while-the-information-may-be-there-I-could-not-find-it notice :D I am getting back to working on the neverending project that has had all winter to set up after I painted with Rustoleum topsides last summer. Since the hull is now bright shiny red it...
  16. B

    Lower cowling removal - '72 1400

    As I restore my Thunderbird, I have been repainting/refreshing my 1400. I bought a media blasted lower cowling on Ebay, got it beautifully painted, and am now realizing that the powerhead probably has to come off to replace it. I ain't gonna do that right now, because this is a cosmetic change...
  17. B

    Parts source for my '72 1400

    I need fuel lines for my 1400. The ones in there now are a mix of original (gulp) and replacements using generic auto line clamped down. Is there a reasonable source, or am I stuck cobbing auto fuel line? I also need a timing belt, as the one on there looks cracked and haggard. I can't find...
  18. B

    Re-painting bottom...how much prep?

    I have been using stripper/scrapers and an electric sander to get the horrible mess of antifouling off my T-bird. Here's how the best of it looks right now: I am going to be painting the hull with Rustoleum Topside. Boat is trailered. My question is, do I need to worry about stripping...
  19. B

    May I see pics of your interior side panels?

    My T-bird had no interior to speak of when I got it, just a couple of cheap swivel seats which are staying for the time being. I therefore have a blank canvas with which to work, so to speak, and would appreciate seeing what you folks have cobbed up and how you've attached them. Thanks! Dave
  20. B

    Under-deck fuel tank - where's the hose connected? (incredible diagram)

    First, I apologize for this more general question here - but it involves an old boat (my '68 Thunderbird) and I figure many of you guys have had the (mis)fortune of tearing up your decks in your old boats. This is a top down view of the rear of the boat (please contact me for prints! ;))...
Top