Pulled her, have a project to work on….

YYZRC · October 10

Same as starboard just without the branding.

Rich_ · October 10

Recess the vhf a bit?

aero3113 · October 11

Possibly, I’ll have to take a look and see what can be done. Replacing the VHF is probably the easiest but the black box units are pretty expensive!

aero3113 · October 11

I have this VHF trim from when I replaced it, I painted it black because it was faded. I can try to separate it and move the lower piece down and re-secure it somehow.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/bd/2d0eylw29ep5.jpeg

YYZRC · October 11

I’m pretty sure your boat originally had the black box VHF since you have the Poly Planar speaker next to the helm seat, right?

Check out the Standard Horizon GX1850. It’s very shallow and would mount where the Poly speaker is today. That was always my plan for the 350 if the black box died.

aero3113 · October 11

@YYZRC my current VHF is hooked up to the external speaker so I don’t know if that’s the case. Do you know if the original binnacle has these three mounting positions for the throttle cables? I’m thinking if it does, a different hole might give me the clearance I need.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/g4/m4pg5f75hcvw.jpeg

YYZRC · October 11

I can't remember what the Merc binnacle connections looked like. When I replaced the Merc binnacle with the Seastar, the instructions indicated which holes to use based on the powertrain of the boat.

I would go the Starboard route before I would mess around with the binnacle. It's a real pain in the **** to get it just right.

Rich_ · October 11

Separate the trim and then fiberglass/epoxy it lower? Not really much tension on it, just needs to be held in place

aero3113 · October 12

There was an easy adjustment to make! I want to say that I’m at 98% full throttle now. I can still push the butterfly a little more vertical with my hand but I think I’m okay with that now! ⚓️😅

Before adjustment

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/de/abx4bsas48c1.jpeg

After adjustment

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/ur/oj329w9ylkz6.jpeg

Rich_ · October 12

Re-indexed the handles? Will have less throw in reverse but no big deal. Truthfully when was the last time you really backed down so hard you needed full reverse. Will just take a little getting used to as to neutral position but that learning curve should be quick.

aero3113 · October 12

@Rich_ in the second picture the throttle lever isn’t at neutral. I had it in reverse. Neutral is pretty much in the same upright position.

aero3113 · October 12

I didn’t reindex the levers. I guess my pictures are confusing. Look at the front and rear of the binnacle, there’s screws and slots that I adjusted.

aero3113 · October 12

Over time it probably loosened up and dropped down.

Rich_ · October 13

👍

aero3113 · October 19

I pulled the intake manifold off the starboard engine today. I wanted to see if there was any corrosion underneath. It was starting to do the same thing. New one on order. I also found that the number 1 and 3 fuel injector connectors were swapped. I don’t know if it was labeled wrong or swapped. I do know that the previous owner had the heads changed on this engine and it’s possible that they put them on wrong. Looking at how they were, I want to say they were swapped (last pic). Just don’t know if the engine would run as good as it did with them swapped. I adjusted the valves also to the same spec that I did to the port side.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/8z/vpnckj1iwls4.jpeg

aero3113 · October 19

Screw tabs broke on this distributor also. Luckily I was able to find another one in good condition on eBay for a good price. So annoying that they made these out of composite.

captkevin · October 19

would using aluminum manifolds work better?

aero3113 · October 19

Not with the salt water running through it. I wish because aluminum is so much lighter.

captkevin · October 19

Not even sure there are aluminum marine manifolds but it would seem like there should be. Couldn't you just use Edlebrock aluminum manifolds & heads for a 350 anyway

rasbury · October 19

I really had the closed loop as a must have when I went shopping for sure. I do have an issue going to bite my butt if I don't get on it. I need to pull the distributor cap as when I changed my plugs and wires/rotor, I noticed really bad rust on the intake manifold...i have a 350 also, what did that manifold set you back? Looks like yours is not metal...is it plastic like the newer motors?? Our 270 has the dingy package which means the big seating has a spot for a little motor with a vent right on top of the motor- so water that makes it to that compartment goes and sits on top of the motor...

aero3113 · October 19

@captkevin there are aluminum intake manifolds and heads but with salt water running through them, aluminum wouldn’t hold up long.

aero3113 · October 19

@rasbury it’s a cast iron intake manifold. It was about $1200. Boats.net was the cheapest I could find and they have free shipping.

https://www.boats.net/product/mercury/8M0097032

aero3113 · October 19

Once I get everything back together I can use my Rinda scan tool to verify the #1 and #3 injectors. I’ll be able to fire each one individually to verify what should be where.

YYZRC · October 20

What gaskets are you using for the intake manifold? AC Delco? Felpro?

aero3113 · October 20

@YYZRC Felpro Marine

PickleRick · October 20

Aluminum top end would be awesome. With all that weight savings just think how much more stuff you could store on the boat!!!

rasbury · October 20

Dumb question I guess...but we know the power steering pump itself is a common GM pump- I wonder about the intake manifold, what would be special about the manifold for marine use?

PickleRick · October 20

There are bronze lined coolant passages, but im not sure if they are carb only or if there is an efi optional aluminum one.

captkevin · October 20

Salt water definitely has some challenges you guys have to deal with.

aero3113 · October 20

I removed the lower intake this morning and cleaned/painted the upper. Will give the injectors a cleaning also with the injector tool I bought.

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Pulled her, have a project to work on….

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