So tell me, ole' wise ones.

[Yepblaze]

Friend brought this by last year around this time. And at the time I changed out points, plugs, cap, rotor, oil, filters, and outdrive lube.<br /><br />

<br /><br />It's a Ford powered Mercruiser 188hp or 888 model. It doesn't get a whole lot of seasonal hours but maybe a couple of full weeks and a few weekends a year. As I'm told when it's at the lake it's pretty much pulling skiers, the tube, or at the gas dock refueling during daylight hours.<br /><br />Well this time I have on the list of items this time around to change out the oil and filter, check point gap, outdrive oil change, perhaps an impeller, along with the bilge blower and pump.<br /><br />My questions is; What other items should be considered as routine maintanence that should be inspected, replaced, serviced, or kept on the top of the "next time list" after determining their soundness at present?<br /><br />It comes over to me with a full factory manual. I'm wondering how long the bellows(?) should be expected to last? Do I need to get the outdrive off and lube anything in the U-Joints area? Are there any items that really need attention that are easily neglected while doing the minimal services?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: So tell me, ole' wise ones.

You have got it covered What about a fuel filter? How responsive is the motor? I have seen accelerator pumps go in the carb which makes for a sluggish take off.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: So tell me, ole' wise ones.

Yea, I'll be sure to pick one up when I make the parts run. It's got a screw on water sep. type. I was wondering if there is a sintered bronze in the fuel inlet on the carb. Looks like there is room for one. I'll make sure the acc pump jets are squirting nicely before it goes home. <br /><br />Last years biggest event was in tracking down a decent set of points. It seems to find some with a felt wiper and ventilated contacts can be elusive anymore. Even the Merc stuff was not what I wanted to install.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: So tell me, ole' wise ones.

Yepblaze...a nice old boat....those 888's were nice, smooth [if low powered] packages....I see aholley carb on top, they like to dry out gaskets and leak...the holley also tells me its an earlier 888...maybe need a lead substitute in the fuel...these distributors corroded badly just from sitting, make sure you still have some advance springs left under the breaker plate...10-12 years on a trailer boats bellows is not unusual...got a wet spot under the power trim pump? these pumps likes to shake the manifold block an lines on the bottom of the pump loose...

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: So tell me, ole' wise ones.

Thank you. I Know I'd rather be out on the river boating around and checking out the classic like today, rather that workin on em. But somebody has to buy the premix.<br /><br />