1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Hey guys just got a new to me boat. Its a 1989 Regal Medallion 185 with the 4.3l merc and alpha one outdrive. Boat needs a good buff and has a couple of soft spots on the floor. I bought the boat from the orginal owner who bought it brand new in 1989 at the dealer. only has 224 hours on it.

1. My question is I need to replace the ignition coil. The motor was running and now I have no spark so going to start there. Can anyone point me in the right direction on the correct coil to get? Also the wires look fairly new.

2. We had an 88 chevy v8 years ago and it was EFI. Do they make an EFI kit for these motors? Would it be worth it? I personally dont care to much for carbs so just wondering.


Thanks for the help!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Tell us more about the soft spots in the floor . . .

Post some pics when you can.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Hey guys just got a new to me boat. Its a 1989 Regal Medallion 185 with the 4.3l merc and alpha one outdrive. Boat needs a good buff and has a couple of soft spots on the floor. I bought the boat from the orginal owner who bought it brand new in 1989 at the dealer. only has 224 hours on it.

1. My question is I need to replace the ignition coil. The motor was running and now I have no spark so going to start there. Can anyone point me in the right direction on the correct coil to get? Also the wires look fairly new.

2. We had an 88 chevy v8 years ago and it was EFI. Do they make an EFI kit for these motors? Would it be worth it? I personally dont care to much for carbs so just wondering.


Thanks for the help!

Ayuh,.... Odds are the coil ain't the problem, that's why Testin', 'n Diagnosis is used to see Why the coil ain't firin',...

Got a serial number of the motor,..??

Do ya have a Test Light,..?? how 'bout a Multimeter,..??

I'm guessin' you've got the T-Bolt ignition,...
Is the control box the little 1 on the distributer, or the big 1 on the exhaust riser,..??

An Efi kit is way outa reason economically,... Too Expensive to ever see a payback...

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

1. My question is I need to replace the ignition coil. The motor was running and now I have no spark so going to start there. Can anyone point me in the right direction on the correct coil to get? Also the wires look fairly new.

Do your troubleshooting first, then replace the right part. This is not a points ignition system, it's fully electronic. Shotgunning like that will just cost you money.

2. We had an 88 chevy v8 years ago and it was EFI. Do they make an EFI kit for these motors? Would it be worth it? I personally dont care to much for carbs so just wondering.

I'm completely with Bond-o on this. I had a 1994 4.3LX (4bbl carb) and looked very seriously into EFI. Just not worth the expense. Look after your carburetor and it will perform well enough. Just keep your filters changed on a regular basis and clean fuel and you shouldn't go too far wrong.

For the troubleshooting chart on TB-IV (your ignition system), download THIS MANUAL and look in Section 4B page 18...

Chris......

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

The boat was running a few days ago, he has his mechanic look at it and the mechanic said the coil went out.


Yes I own test lights/multimeters

3 soft spots, one near the bow, 1 near the engine and 1 near the right side.

He had the transom replaced a couple of years ago.


Also the trim pump does not seam to be working? I hear the click of the solenoid but nothing happens. Anything I can do to the pump or do I have to replace it?

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

I'm fairly good at building things. Any chance the stringers are save-able and maybe just the top plywood needs replacing?

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

The boat was running a few days ago, he has his mechanic look at it and the mechanic said the coil went out.

How exactly did he determine that? VERY unusual to lose a coil on those systems... You have a multimeter, go through the chart yourself.

Also the trim pump does not seem to be working? I hear the click of the solenoid but nothing happens. Anything I can do to the pump or do I have to replace it?

All in the manual I posted the link to.

 

[tinkerguy70]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

I'm fairly good at building things. Any chance the stringers are save-able and maybe just the top plywood needs replacing?

On a 23 year old boat? I suppose there is a chance, but it's highly unlikely.

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Whats the best way to start? grab a razr blade and cut carpet away from the rotted areas and see what i got?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Whats the best way to start? grab a razr blade and cut carpet away from the rotted areas and see what i got?

Ayuh,.... The Best way to start, is start a thread in the Restoration forum...

We only do the Motor, 'n Drive in this forum...

 

[Hoosmatroos]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Everybody starts a complete restoration with "oh, just one or two soft spots", "not to bad at all, just a minor repair". Look in the restoration section and there are they all to do a full job

Repair motor first because changes are big that you have to remove it to repair the deck.

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Ok motor is alive and purrrssss quite nicely! Bought a automotive coil that appears to be identical and it runs. My OEM coil is in the mail so ill swap them out when it gets here.

Can you only run the motor with the "muffs" or is there a way to hook up a hose besides that?



Checked the oil and appears to be turning milky so probably some water in there from sitting? Gonna do an oil change.

Need to get the trim motor working and ill take her out to make sure she is functioning before I invest in a floor.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

You need muffs or the drive submerged in a tank of water. The raw water pump is in the drive, and you must have water to it or you will destroy the pump.

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

You need muffs or the drive submerged in a tank of water. The raw water pump is in the drive, and you must have water to it or you will destroy the pump.

So if I get a huge black garbage can I can just drop the outdrive in that?

Can I remove the prop and submerge with out a prop?

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

Also can I pickup oil for this thing at advance auto parts or NAPA? If so should I be running fully syn? and what weight oil?

Funds are low so I'm asking to verify what you guys think?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

From post #13:
Ok motor is alive and purrrssss quite nicely!
Can you only run the motor with the "muffs" or is there a way to hook up a hose besides that?

From post #15:
So if I get a huge black garbage can I can just drop the outdrive in that?
Can I remove the prop and submerge with out a prop?


Funds are low so I'm asking to verify what you guys think?

How did you test the engine to say it "purs quite nicely" if you are asking for an alternative to getting a $10 motor flusher?
Did you run it without water?

I don't think a bag would have the strength to hold enough water to fill above the pickup even with the drive all the way down.
I did try a really big tub once but that will cost you more than the $10 flusher.

You can do a search here and find many threads on what oil guys use which is just about anything but obviously what is recommended by Merc. is a good default.

Mark

 

[Don S]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

If you can't afford $10 for a decent set of muffs to run the engine on, then you have no business with a boat at all.
There are things in the electrical system and fuel system of a boat that are specifically marine grade, and yes they cost more than the automotive counterpart. But they keep you and your family from getting blown up or set on fire.

Oil doesn't matter, use whatever you want, that subject has been beat to death a million times. If you really want to know, scroll to the bottom of this page (in the non repair forum) and look at all the oil threads. Non-Repair I/O and Inboards - Page 65

You should be able to find your oil, filter, gear lube, muffs etc. at Walmart.

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

-Oil change completed, oil was way to light colored. Not sure if its just A LOT of condensation over time or what. Guess I dont know if its a head gasket till I get it running (with water) and check the oil again.

-While changing oil I checked the power steering pump and it was almost bone dry. Added fluid. Turns left fine, but when you try to go right it gets stuck (with boat off or on)

-Removed the trim pump and motor and dissembled them and cleaned the pump out and the reservoir. Opened up the motor and wire wheeled all the plates and contacts as well as added some lube on the bearings. The motor is now operational. Hooked back up to the boat and trim is working.

-Muffs acquired and hooked up, started the boat and no water is coming out of the exhaust. Turned off boat after about a min.

-So I disconnected the hose that goes from the out-drive pump to the front of the motor and turned the water back on (with the motor off) and could see no water rising out of the hose. Also tried this backwards and water came out of the intake holes on the alpha one. I'm assuming my out-drive impeller is gone.

I tried to remove the lower unit of the alpha-one gen 1, 6 boats total, 1 front 1 back 4 sides. This thing will not come off. How in the heck do you get it loose? I watched you-tube videos they said to give it a good kick but i swear this thing is almost glued on. Im tempted to remove the whole out-drive and rebuild it anyway.

Can someone link me a rebuild kit for the lower and top ends?

What else do I need to do to the alpha while I have it in parts?

 

[sptjet90Reflexx]

Re: 1989 Regal 4.3l v6 Merc questions!

called the previous owner and said he had it running and water flowing correctly a couple weeks ago.. Not sure how the impeller would just go out but I guess i need to check it anyway.

Gear Housing Seal Kit for Mercruiser - Sierra 18-8370 - iboats

That the correct part for impeller rebuild?