NO GIN ... updates
- Thread starter NO GIN
- Start date
NO GIN Specs:
Twin 3.7L 190MR Mercs w/ 780 hours
Alpha Gen I Drives
Radar, GPS, Depth Sounder, Waterproof VHF
Recent work:
Rebuilt port and starboard water pumps
New starboard starter
New port fuel pump, lines and filters
All new updated wiring
New starboard spark plugs
Fresh 89 octane fuel after dumping 50 gallons of bad fuel
New custom molded fiberglass helm with Faria gauges and molded in Garmin GPS
Stripped aft deck, cracks and chips filled, repaired, primed and soon to be painted
New Teleflex steering wheel
New SimRad RT63 VHF
In Progress:
Installing new port side stern drive shift cable
Installing both drives with re-built water pumps
Testing risers and manifolds for leakage
Oil change and filter replacement
Coolant flush
Stripping and anti-fouling stern drives
Painting entire aft deck and helm
Removing various original topside pin stripes
Twin 3.7L 190MR Mercs w/ 780 hours
Alpha Gen I Drives
Radar, GPS, Depth Sounder, Waterproof VHF
Recent work:
Rebuilt port and starboard water pumps
New starboard starter
New port fuel pump, lines and filters
All new updated wiring
New starboard spark plugs
Fresh 89 octane fuel after dumping 50 gallons of bad fuel
New custom molded fiberglass helm with Faria gauges and molded in Garmin GPS
Stripped aft deck, cracks and chips filled, repaired, primed and soon to be painted
New Teleflex steering wheel
New SimRad RT63 VHF
In Progress:
Installing new port side stern drive shift cable
Installing both drives with re-built water pumps
Testing risers and manifolds for leakage
Oil change and filter replacement
Coolant flush
Stripping and anti-fouling stern drives
Painting entire aft deck and helm
Removing various original topside pin stripes
Joe,
If you haven't yet, suggest you replace both lower shift cables while the boat is out of the water. Those are the cables from the shift plate, down to the transom area, through there, and connect to the outdrive.
Just be sure you get the right parts and follow the right procedure getting them installed. There are folk here who can help with the details. All I know about it that the cables were updated over the years, and some updates required different installation.
Then of course there's the adjustment process... But a sticky cable will make you unhappy once you're all assembled and back in the water!
If you haven't yet, suggest you replace both lower shift cables while the boat is out of the water. Those are the cables from the shift plate, down to the transom area, through there, and connect to the outdrive.
Just be sure you get the right parts and follow the right procedure getting them installed. There are folk here who can help with the details. All I know about it that the cables were updated over the years, and some updates required different installation.
Then of course there's the adjustment process... But a sticky cable will make you unhappy once you're all assembled and back in the water!
+1 for replacing both shift cables. I know you are replacing one. The second will be easier. When I had alpha's I did it myself and followed the procedure in the service manual exactly. You will need a helper to help route the cable, but other than that it wasn't bad. Also make sure yuo cleanh the interruptor switch well, that can cause some of the stalling problems.
btw, I was abel to "rehab" a shift cable once. It was sticky and causing problems. I didn't want to pull the boat mid season so I exposed some of the cable core at the interior conection and sprayed WD-40 and Lithium grease . I worked the cabel back and forth after each spray. After about an hour, the crud started to loosen up and the cable operated normally for the rest of the season. I replaced it the next off season.
Bellows replacement on the other hand, never again. If I ever have I/O's bellows replacement is a mechanic only job for me
btw, I was abel to "rehab" a shift cable once. It was sticky and causing problems. I didn't want to pull the boat mid season so I exposed some of the cable core at the interior conection and sprayed WD-40 and Lithium grease . I worked the cabel back and forth after each spray. After about an hour, the crud started to loosen up and the cable operated normally for the rest of the season. I replaced it the next off season.
Bellows replacement on the other hand, never again. If I ever have I/O's bellows replacement is a mechanic only job for me
I was actually considering doing the other cable. I have been trying to find good instructions on how to install the lower shift cable and so far all I found was how to attach it at the block. How about running it through the transom and gimbal housing? My only hesitation on doing the other side is that the new cable was $95! I have so many projects going on now that I have already superseded the price I paid for the boat. But then again as I have been told many-o-time, a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into. Guess the harsh reality is setting in.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2904
- Messages
- 279
NO GIN, check boatfix. I realize you will have to wait for delivery. I had to replace my shifter cable that goes from the dash to the engine that is 16 feet long and it was $20.00. I paid extra to get it 2nd day and I ended paying $40.00 total. That's a far cry less than $95. Perhaps the shift cable from the engine to the outdrive is more expensive but I don't see how since it's shorter.
On boatfix for mercury parts, you can go to http://www.boatfix.com/merc.asp Boatfix prices on Mercruiser parts are outstanding, the best I found and they carried damn near everything.
I think I found it. How many different brands make this shift kit?
http://www.boatfix.com/bykeywordmerc.asp?whichpage=4&pagesize=80&textfield=shift cable&texttype=2
Quicksilver
Sierra
Mercruiser
???? What's the difference in the kits besides the name on the box? Quality? Seems like they all come with the same parts.
http://www.boatfix.com/bykeywordmerc.asp?whichpage=4&pagesize=80&textfield=shift cable&texttype=2
Quicksilver
Sierra
Mercruiser
???? What's the difference in the kits besides the name on the box? Quality? Seems like they all come with the same parts.
So even though I was to spend the weekend with my family away from the boat, I did manage to sneak a in a few hours. I went back to work on the helm and wiring. I managed to figure out where to put the Ensign digital tach/syn. I moved my fuel and fume gauges to put the Ensign where they were. Very happy with the new look! I also completed the wiring and super psyched with how that came out!
Will have pics tomorrow. For now, back to the backyard camp fire and smores!!
Will have pics tomorrow. For now, back to the backyard camp fire and smores!!
“For now, back to the backyard camp fire and smores!! ”
LOL Joe,
Sounds like fun! Those two boys are keeping you busy or is it vise versa?
Just spent two nights on the hook with the Admiral and fixin to go to bed…..smores sound good right now [
]
Better than the three pound black bass that got trapped on the deck of the float of our hoist when we raised it to come home...never considered a 10K hoist as a fishing tool
Following your progress on the other thread. Wish I had your energy
Stan and Ronda
”LOL Joe,
Sounds like fun! Those two boys are keeping you busy or is it vise versa?
Just spent two nights on the hook with the Admiral and fixin to go to bed…..smores sound good right now [
]Better than the three pound black bass that got trapped on the deck of the float of our hoist when we raised it to come home...never considered a 10K hoist as a fishing tool
Following your progress on the other thread. Wish I had your energy
Stan and Ronda
LoL - That's great! Did you at least cook and eat the bass???? My boys keep me goin for sure. Wish I had the energy I had when I was their age but I am managing to keep up. Thanks for staying in touch. I will have some pics to post shortly.
I returned the previously purchased $95 shift cable assembly I purchased at a local marine shop and ordered 2 kits from BoatFix today. I have to say I am a bit disappointed in the lack of customer service. I called them this morning and only after about 7 tries was I able to speak with someone. He advised me they couldn't assist me with a product specific to my application due to liability so I needed to call Mercruiser direct (which he provided their telephone number). I called Mercruiser then attempted to call BoatFix back ALL DAY with no success. I went against my instinct of ordering from another website that I have ordered from before only because you guys seem to have good experiences with BoatFix. I can only hope they ship the kits right away and follow up with the phone call I had requested.
"Did you at least cook and eat the bass????"
LOL.....no, we were headed back to OKC...so we gave it to the marina guard. He's a nice guy and good to have around. We know he doesn't make much, had been fishing with no luck while guarding all day, and was grateful after laughing at me crawling under the boat on the float trying to pick the damn thing up.
If Mike doesn't get back to you...and it's most likely Mike or Les you talked to, great prices, low overhead...start a thread in mechanical forum,
Mikes the moderator of that forum, so name it "Help, wife’s bra caught in carburetor" or some such thing..that get's his attention away from filling orders. Anything titled with “beer or boobs” works also.[:-eyebrows]
Stan
LOL.....no, we were headed back to OKC...so we gave it to the marina guard. He's a nice guy and good to have around. We know he doesn't make much, had been fishing with no luck while guarding all day, and was grateful after laughing at me crawling under the boat on the float trying to pick the damn thing up.
If Mike doesn't get back to you...and it's most likely Mike or Les you talked to, great prices, low overhead...start a thread in mechanical forum,
Mikes the moderator of that forum, so name it "Help, wife’s bra caught in carburetor" or some such thing..that get's his attention away from filling orders. Anything titled with “beer or boobs” works also.[:-eyebrows]
Stan
BoatFix order follow up ... Mike did call me back first thing this morning. I actually switched the order from the Sierra cable assembly to the Mercruiser OEM cable assembly. Feel much better now! Can't wait to get the cables in and drives back on to see how she runs.