Hey guys ! nice forum !

[zzrich]

I own a 1987 Galaxie Boat. Has the 3.0 mercruiser motor and an omc out drive. It has been sitting for about six years. I rid it of the old gas. I also rebuilt the carb. I reset the float the best I could as the kit I ordered did not have the adjustment specs for my carb. Does anybody know what the proper float level and float drop should be ? I set it at 5/8 level and 1 7/8 drop. (the boat wouldnt run until I reset the float) The carb number is 17086064 (rochester) . Also I set the points at .20 . The motor runs now, but I need a source of specifacations for my boat. Any help would be greatly appreciated !

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Now thats a combination you don't see everyday.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

To give you some idea what you have there. Merc and OMC were like Chevy and Ford for many years. OMC went out of buisness completely about 10 years ago, and Mercruiser is still here. They did use the same engines in many cases. But you have a bunch of different parts stuck together. AKA a junk yard dog. While it can work, don't expect anything to be quite as easy as it would be if it was all one manufacturer.

Do you have a Mercruiser SN for the engine. There should be a tag just above the starter on the back of the engine.

 

[zzrich]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Hello guys. Yes Don S. The mercury serial # reads : 0f278412. The model # is 430L000GS . Thank you. So far the boat will go in reverse with no problems, but when I shift it into forward the wants to die.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Well, I forgot I don't have the tools to tell you exactly what year it is, but I do know it takes service manual #13, and that one is online and you can download it to your computer for free. Just click on the link below, scroll down to the outline and click on the section you want to view. Watch the cursor change, the links don't show.

Service Manual #13

Your shift problem may be either a shift cable, or they type ignition you have.
Do you have the EST distributor or the DDIS system. (use the manual and pictures to figure it out.
Not sure if either one is compatable with the ESA system the Cobras used.

 

[zzrich]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Thanks for that link Don ! Those specs are gonna be mighty handy. As for the ignition it is the old points type. I going to adjust the points/dwell in a little bit. Im thinking there must be a way to convert to electronic ignition. I will post back on how she's runnin !

 

[Don S]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

I would be very curious as to how much of that Mercruiser engine is actually Merc.
The distributor from the OMC may have been used since the SN engine you posted didn't use a points distributor. In that case, you would need to use the point dwell from the OMC specs.
Can you take some pics and post them of the engine, shift linkage, and distributor?

 

[zzrich]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Oh sure. I just have to wait til the morning. Yeah I would like to know what kind a "mutt" I have here too. Hard to tell as all the old stickers on the engine and such have been painted over.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

There are a few here with "Mutts", (I like that term ) so don't think it can't be figured out and made to work, it can. You just have to understand what is going on between the 2 companies and how to deal with it.

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

There are a few here with "Mutts", (I like that term ) so don't think it can't be figured out and made to work, it can. You just have to understand what is going on between the 2 companies and how to deal with it.

Yup, one Junkyard Dog/Mutt here. Interesting Carb and Throttle Linkage on mine. Several Omc Engine Brackets and Engine Mounts used. The OMC Blue gives it away.

 

[zzrich]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

I would be very curious as to how much of that Mercruiser engine is actually Merc.
The distributor from the OMC may have been used since the SN engine you posted didn't use a points distributor. In that case, you would need to use the point dwell from the OMC specs.
Can you take some pics and post them of the engine, shift linkage, and distributor?

Ok Don. Here are some pics I took, I am not that good with posting images :



OK, I just got alot beter at posting pics !

 

[zzrich]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Well it took me a while to get the pictures uploaded (above). I hope they show enough detail.

 

[Coors]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

When you took the pics, was it in gear, or neutral?
The roller on the interrupt switch looks(hard to tell) to be in the wrong position.

 

[zzrich]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Yeah actually its was in neutral. Maybe that why it ran fine in reverse but would sputter and die in forward. BTW, I dont know very much about boats, cars Im alot better at.

 

[Coors]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

It may be an adjustment problem, but probably the lower cable.
http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/kw-shift.html
That may help the OMC mutt part.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Your pictures are way better than your trying to explain things. You have a Delco points distributor that was used by both OMC, and Mercruiser and is also completely compatable with the ESA system. Probably the original OMC distributor since your SN engine didn't use a points type distributor like you have.
I also agree with Coors, the shift interrupt is engaged and will cut out spark to a couple of cylinders. It shouldn't be that way. The cable is either so far out of adjustment (Doesn't look like it from the picture) or the cable just bad and needs replace. They get like that alot.

 

[zzrich]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Your pictures are way better than your trying to explain things. You have a Delco points distributor that was used by both OMC, and Mercruiser and is also completely compatable with the ESA system. Probably the original OMC distributor since your SN engine didn't use a points type distributor like you have.
I also agree with Coors, the shift interrupt is engaged and will cut out spark to a couple of cylinders. It shouldn't be that way. The cable is either so far out of adjustment (Doesn't look like it from the picture) or the cable just bad and needs replace. They get like that alot.

So is what I have mostly a merc with some omc accessories tossed in ? What type of manual should I buy ? I used to work on the boat for my father years ago, he has since passed on and I have had the boat for the last six years. I mostly just worked on the motor in the past. This was my dads pride and joy, but it also frustrated the heck out of him. I just hate to see it sit and rot away. I think I can get her goin again, but I cant put too much into her dollars wise. I will try do do all my own work. Thanks so far guys ! Edit : I think I need to go searching arround my mothers garage for the old manuals, that would help alot ! ALso I have the serial number from the hull of the boat, would that help in further identifying this rascal ?

 

[Coors]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

Yeah, you probably need both oem manuals, and then figure out the difference in the wiring; it might be close. Just a tweak around that interruptor switch.
The wiring after the switch and distributer may be different.
Don, correct me if I'm wrong. but it seems that once the switch is not cutting power to the ignition; he could use Merc wiring diagram after the switch.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

You need an OMC service manual for your engine and drive. Just pretend the Merc stickers, decals, and SN plate are not there (Mostly). If you need internal engine parts, you will need the Merc info for the correct parts. But as far as shifting and ignition (distributor, timing, dwell, etc.). You have OMC.

 

[Coors]

Re: Hey guys ! nice forum !

ahh, the black anchors are wired , so if a esa in in the circuit, they perform normally as soon as the esa stops the interrupt?