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1965-1989 Mercury Outboard 90-300 HP Service & Repair Manual
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 SAFETY II FUEL
INTRODUCTION 1-1 INTRODUCTION 4-1
CLEANING, WAXING, &. POLISHING 1-1 GENERAL CARBURETION
CONTROLLING CORROSION 1-1 INFORMATION 4-1
PROPELLERS 1-2 TROUBLESHOOTING 4-5
FUEL SYSTEM 1-7 "Sour" Fuel 4-6
LOADING 1-9 Leaded Gasoline & Gasohol 4-6
HORSEPOWER 1-10 Removing Fuel From System 4-7
FLOTATION 1-10 Fuel Pump Test 4-9
EMERGENCYEQUWMENT 1-12 Fuel Line Test 4-11
COMPASS 1-14 Rough Engine Idle 4-12
STEERING 1-16 Excessive Fuel Consumption 4-12
ANCHORS 1-16 Engine Surge 4-13
MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 1-17 CARBURETOR IDENTIFICATION 4-13
BOATING ACCIDENT REPORTS 1-17
NAVIGATION 1-18 CARBURETOR "A" - SIDE BOWL
AND BACK DRAG 4-14
2 TUNING Removal & Disassembling 4-14
Cleaning & Inspecting 4-16
INTRODUCTION 2-1
Assembling &. Installation 4-20
TUNE-UP SEQUENCE 2-2 Adjustmen ts 4-24
COMPRESSION CHECK 2-3
SPARK PLUG INSPECTION 2-3 CARBURETOR "B" V6 POWERHEADS
IGNITION SYSTEM 2-4 DUAL FLOAT CENTER BOWL 4-25
TIMING AND SYNCHRONIZING 2-5 Removal & Disassembling 4-25
CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT 2-7 Cleaning & Inspecting 4-27
FUEL PUMPS 2-9 Assembling & Installation 4-29
CRANKING MOTOR
AND SOLENOID 2-10 CARBURETOR'~"-CENTER
INTERNAL WIRING HARNESS 2-11 SQUARE BOWL 4-33
WATER PUMP CHECK 2-12 Removal & Disassembling 4-33
PROPELLER 2-13
Cleaning & Inspecting 4-37
LOWER UNIT 2-15 Assembling &. Installation 4-37
BOAT TESTING 2-16
FUEL PUMP 4-42
3 MAINTENANCE Theory of Operation
4_IJ2
Pump Pressure Check 4-43
INTRODUCTION 3-1 Pump Removal 4-44
OUTBOARD SERIAL NUMBERS 3-2 Cleaning & Inspecting 4-45
LUBRICATION - COMPLETE UNIT 3-2 Assembling 4-45
PRE-SEASON PREPARATION 3-6
FIBERGLASS HULLS 3-10 ELECTRONIC FUEL
BELOW WATERLINE SERVICE 3-10 INJECTION (EFI) 4-47
SUBMERGED ENGINE SERVICE 3-11 General Infor ma tion 4-47
PROPELLER SERVICE 3-13 System Description 4-47
POWER TRIM/TILT 3-15 Troubleshooting EFI 4-55
INSIDE THE BOAT 3-16
LOWER UNIT 3-16 EFI MAINTENANCE 4-62
WINTER STORAGE 3-18 Removing Fuel from System 4-63

4 FUEL (Continued)
Assembling 5-37
ELECTRONIC "BLACK BOX"
SERVICING EFI 4-64 MODULES 5-38
Intake Manifold &: Injectors 4-64 Operation 5-39
Cleaning &: Inspecting 4-70 Troubleshooting 5-39
Assembling &: Installation 4-70
Fuel Filter Service 4-75 6 TIMING AND SYNCHRONIZING
Fuel Pressure Regulator
&: Vapor Separator Service 4-77 INTRODUCTION &: PREPARATION 6-1
Throttle Sensor Service 4-81 IGNITION TIMING AND
OIL INJECTION SYSTEM 4-83 CARB SYNCHRONIZATION 6-3
"Auto Blend" System 4-84
ELECTRONIC IDLE STABILIZER AND
Description 4-84 SPARK ADVANCE MODULES 6-6
Troubleshooting 4-85 MODEL 900 - 1965
Storing the System 4-88 MODEL 950 - 1966
Prep. for Use 4-88 MODEL 100 - 1965
Advanced Oil Injection 4-89 MODEL 1100 - 1966 6-7
Description 4-89
Operation 4-92
MODEL 950SS - 1966
Filling System 4-93
MODEL 1100SS - 1966 6-9
Purging Air 4-93
Oil Pump Adjustment 4-94
MODEL 950SS &: 1100SS - 1967 6-10
Troubleshooting 4-94
Servicing 4-94
MODEL 1000SS - 1968-69 6-12
MODEL 1250SS - 1968-69 6-14
5 IGNITION MODEL 1150 - 1970-73
MODEL 1350 - 1970-71
INTRODUCTION 5-1 MODEL 1400 - 1972
SPARK PLUG EVALUATION 5-2 MODEL 1500 - Early 1973 6-16
POLARITY CHECK 5-4
WIRING HARNESS 5-5 MODEL 1150 - 1974 SIN 3761035
MODEL 1500 - Late 1973-74
TYPE I SYSTEM - DISTRIBUTOR SIN 3628318 to 3752840 6-17
WITH POINTS
Description 5-5 MODEL 900 - 1978-79
Troubleshooting 5-7
MODEL 1150 - 1975-79
Servicing 5-10 MODEL 140 - 1979
Removal 5-10 MODEL 1500 - 1975-77
Distributor Disassembly 5-11 MODEL 1500XS - 1978
Cleaning &: Inspecting 5-14 (UNITS WITH DISTRIBUTOR) 6-19
Distributor Assembling 5-14
Installa tion 5-19 MODEL 90 - 1980 &: ON
TYPE n SYSTEM - DISTRIBUTOR MODEL 115 - 1980 &: ON
CD - POINTLESS MODEL 140 - 1980 &: ON
Description 5-20 (UNITS WITHOUT DISTRIBUTOR) 6-21
Troubleshooting 5-22
Servicing 5-23 MODEL 1750 V6 - 1976-77 6-24
Distributor Removal 5-24
Cleaning &: Inspecting 5-25 MODEL 1750 V6 -1978 ONLY
Distributor Assembling 5-25 MODEL 175 V6 - 1979-81 6-27
TYPE In SYSTEM - CD
COIL PER CYLINDER MODEL 1500 &: 150 V6
Description 5-28 SIN 5203428 AND BELOW
Troubleshooting 5-29 MODEL 2000 &: 200 V6
Servicing 5-35 SIN 5363917 AND BELOW 6-31

MODEL 200 SiN 6073192 & ABOVE 8 POWERHEAD
MODEL 225 ALL 6-34-
CHAPTER ORGANIZATION 8-1
MODEL 135 SIN A907777 & ABOVE GENERALPOWERHEAD
MODEL 150 SiN 5203429 & ABOVE INFORMA TION 8-1
MODEL 200 SIN 5363918
TO 6073191 L6 POWERHEAD
MODEL 175 SIN 6618751 Removal and Disassembling 8-5
& ABOVE 6-37 Cleaning and Inspecting 8-11
Thermostat Service 8-11
MODEL 250, 275, 300 Reed Block Service 8-12
AND 3.4- LITRE 6-40 Crankshaft Service 8-13
V6 POWERHEADS End Cap Bearings 8-14
WITH EFI 6-43 Connecting Rod Service 8-14
Piston Service 8-16
Honing Procedures 8-20
7 ELECTRICAL
Cylinder Block Service 8-21
Assembling &: Installation 8-21
INTRODUCTION 7-1
L6 With Oil Injection 8-37
BATTERIES 7-1
V6 POWERHEAD
GAUGES AND HORNS 7-7
Removal and Disassembling 8-35
Temperature Gauges 7-8
Crankshaft Disassembling 8-40
Warn ing Ugh ts 7-8
Piston Disassembling 8-42
Fuel Gauges 7-9
End Cap Disassembling 8-43
Tachometer 7-11
Cleaning and Inspecting 8-46
Horns 7-11
Thermostat Service 8-46
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7-12
Reed Block Service 8-47
General Information 7-12
Crankshaft Service 8-48
CHARGING CIRCUIT SERVICE 7-13
End Cap Bearings 8-48
Troubleshooting 7-14
Connecting Rod Service 8-48
Rectifier Removal 7-15
Piston Service 8-50
Rectifier Installation 7-17
Cylinder Block Service 8-51
STATOR SERVICE 7-17
Honing Procedures 8-52
Removal 7-18
Assembling 8-55
Installa t ion 7-18
Piston &: Rod 8-58
CHOKE CIRCUIT AND
Crankshaft Installation 8-61
ENRICHENER SYSTEM 7-19
Crankcase Cover 8-67
CRANKING MOTOR CIRCUIT 7-20
Powerhead Build-up 8-71
Description & Operation 7-20
Troubleshooting 7-21
Removal 7-25
Disassembling - Pinion Gear
with Rubber Cushion 7-26
Assembling 7-26 9 LOWER UNIT
Disassembling - Pinion Gear
with Snap Ring or Nut 7-27 DESCRIPTION
9-1
Assembling 7-28 CHAPTER COVERAGE 9-1
Disassembling - Pinion Gear TROUBLESHOOTING
9-5
with Top Spring 7-29 LOWER UNIT REMOVAL
Assembling 7-30 ALL UNITS
9-6
CRANKING MOTOR REPAIR 7-30 Propeller Removal
9-7
Disassembling 7-31
Testing Parts 7-32 WATER PUMP SERVICE
Cleaning &: Inspecting 7-34 Removal and Disassembling
Assembling a Bosch 7-39 High Pressure Type Pump 9-9
Assembling a Delco Remy 7-39 High Volume Type Pump 9-10

9 LOWER UNIT (Continued) SERVICING E-Z SHIFT
MODELS SINCE ABOUT 1979
SERVICING CAM-SHIFT TYPE I Special Words 9-53
UNITS ;\1ATCHED WITH EARLY Removal
L6 AND V6 POWERHEADS Bearing Carrier 9-53
TO ABOUT 1979 9-12 Propeller Shaft 9-55
Removal 9-12 Driveshaft & Bearing 9-56
Bearing Carrier and Separa te Forward Gear
Propeller Shaft 9-13 from Bearing 9-60
Driveshaft & Bearing 9-ll/. Disassembling
Forward Gear & Bearing 9-16 Driveshaft 9-60
Disassem bUng Separate Reverse Gear
Bearing Carrier 9-17 from Bearing Carrier 9-61
Propeller Shaft 9-18 Assembling & Installation
Driveshaft 9-18 Lower Driveshaft Bearing 9-61
Assembling Bearing Carrier 9-61
Lower Driveshaft Bearing 9-23 Forward Gear & Bearing 9-64
Shift Shaft 9-23 Forward Bear ing Race 9-65
Bearing Carrier 9-24 Propeller Shaft 9-66
Forward Gear & Bearing 9-25 Driveshaft 9-71
Forward Bear ing Race 9-26 Shimming
Driveshaft 9-27 Pinion Gear Depth 9-75
Shimming & Backlash Forward Gear Backlash 9-76
Pinion Gear Depth 9-29 Alpha Drive 9-78
Forward Gear Backlash 9-30
Assembling & Installation
Bearing CarrIer 9-33 WATER PUMP ASSEMBLING AND
Reverse Gear Backlash 9-34 INSTALLATION 9-81
High Pressure Type Pump 9-81
SERVICING CAM-SHIFT TYPE II Shimming (Certain Units) 9-81
UNITS MATCHED WITH LATE High Volume Type Pump 9-85
MODEL L6 POWERHEADS FROM
ABOUT 1980 CLEANING AND INSPECTING
AND 150XR4 V6 POWERHEAD 9-35
ALL UNITS
9-86
Removal and Disassembling
LOWER UNIT INSTALLATION
Bearing Carrier 9-36
Filling Lower Unit 9-88
Propeller Shaft 9-37
Assembling & Installation 9-89
Shift Shaft 9-38
Propeller Installation 9-93
Pinion Gear 9-39
Driveshaft 9-39
Forward Gear 9-40
10 TRIM/TILT
Pinion Gear Bearing Race 9-41
Forward Bearing Race 9-41
INTRODUCTION 10-1
Driveshaft Bearing 9-41
CHAPTER ORGANIZATION 10-2
Assembling and Installation
MECHANICAL TILT PIN 10-2
Driveshaft Bearing 9-44
Pinion Gear Bearing Race 9-45
SYSTEM "A"
Forward Bearing Race 9-45
TWO TRIM/TILT CYLINDERS
Shift Shaft 9-46
Description and Operation 10-3
Forward Gear 9-46
Special Instructions 10-5
Driveshaft 9-47
Bleeding System "A" 10-6
Pinion Gear 9-47
Troubleshooting 10-7
Propeller Shaft 9-48
Cleaning and Inspecting 10-9
Bear ing Carr ier 9-49
System "A" Service 10-12
Pinion Gear Depth 9-50
Pump Service 10-14
Forward Gear Backlash 9-51 Electric Motor Service 10-17

SYSTEM "B" CARBURETOR JET SIZE/ELEVATION
TWO TRIM CYLINDERS CHARTS A-13
ONE TILT CYLINDER PISTON AND CYLINDER SPECS. A-19
Description and Operation 10-21 REED STOP OPENING A-20
Bleeding System "B" 10-22 LOWER UNIT OIL CAPACITY
Flushing 10-23
AND GEAR CHART A-21
Troubleshooting 10-24
LOWER UNIT BACKLASH TABLE A-22
System "B" Service 10-31 TORQUE VALUE SPECIFICATIONS A-23
Preliminary Tasks 10-31
Removal 10-33 WIRE IDENTIFICATION DWGS.
Component Service 10-34 L6 Models 900, 950, 1000
Manual Release Valve 10-34
and 1100 -- 1965-66 A-24
Oil Reservoir Cover 10-35 L6 Models 950, 1000, 1100,
Trim Cylinder 10-35 and 1250 -- 1967-69 A-25
Tilt Cylinder 10-36 L6 Models 1150, 1350, 1400
Electric Motor 10-36 and 1500 -- 1970-78 A-26
Cleaning and Inspecting 10-37 L6 Models 900, 1150,
Assembling & Installation 10-38
and 1500 -- 1976-78 A-27
L6 Models 90, 115,
SYSTEM "C" and 140 -- 1979 only A-28
ONE TRIM/TILT CYLINDER V6 Models SIN 4301235
Description and Operation 10-53
to 5129480 A-29
Bleeding System "C" 10-54 V6 Models 150, 175 & 200
Troubleshooting 10-54 SIN 5129481 to 5363918 A-30
System "C" Service 10-55
Pump Removal & Service 10-55
V6 Models 150, 175, & 200
Cylinder Service 10-55
SIN 5363919 to 5464484 A-32
V6 Models 150, 175, & 200
SIN 5464
1
185 to C 100860 A-34
11 REMOTE CONTROLS V6 Model 225 SIN 5615282
and higher A-36
INTRODUCTION 11-1 V6 Models with 74
0
block A-38
STEERING SYSTEMS 11-1 L6 Models 90, 115, &
DIRECTIONAL INDICATOR 11-2 140 -- 1980-89 A-40
ROTARY STEERING SERVICE 11-5 V6 Models 135, 150, and 175
Disassembling 11-5 SIN CI00861 & higher A-4l
Cleaning & Inspecting 11-5 V6 Model l50XR4
Assembling 11-6 with 40-amp stator A-42
V6 Model 200 WITHOUT EFI
STANDARD RIDE GUIDE KIT 11-8 SIN C100861 & higher A-43
CUSTOM RIDE GUIDE KITS 11-8 V6 Model 220 XRi WITH EFI A-44
MER CONTROL PANEL V6 Model 200 XRi WITH EFI A-45
EARLY MODEL 11-9 Early V6 remote control WITH
Disassembling 11-9 temperature horn A-46
Assembling 11-12 Early remote control WITH
power trim/tilt A-47
COMMANDER CONTROL BOX "Commander" side mount con troIs
Removal & Disassembling 11-13 WITHOUT power tr im A-48
Cleaning & Inspecting 11-20 "Commander" side mount controls
Assembling & Installation 11-22 WITH power trim/til t
CABLE ADJUSTMENTS 11-31 and WITHOUT warning horn A-
l
19
"Commander" side mount controls
APPENDIX WITH warning horn
to 1989 A-50
METRIC CONVERSION CHART A-I "Commander" side mount controls
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS WITH warning horn
AND TUNE-UP ADJUSTMENTS A-3 1989 and on A-51

WIRE IDENTIFICATION (Continued)
Type "A" power trim/tilt
system -- two trim/tilt
cylinders -- with OLD style
"Commander" side mount controls single solenoid A-62
WITH trim indicator gauge Type "A" power trim/tilt
and trim sender A-52
system -- two trim/tilt
Panel mount con trol A-53
cylinders -- with NEW style
Tachometer WITHOUT adjustable single solenoid A-63
dial, trim indicator gauge, Type "A" power trim/ tilt
and alarm horn A-54
system -- two trim/til t
Tachometer WITH adjustable dial, cylinders -- with DUAL
tr im indica tor gauge and solenoids A-64
temperature gauge -- Model Type "B" power trim/tilt
200 &. 220 WITH EFI only A-55 system -- two trim cylinders
Instrument panel -- single outboard and one tilt cylinder A-65
installation using "Commander" Type "c" power trim/tilt
2000 remote control A-56 system -- WITHOUT fuse --
Visual warning system single cylinder --
installation A-57 pump mounted in boat A-66
Oil level gauge installation A-58 Type "c" power trim/tilt
Dual outboard synchronizer system -- WITH fuse --
system A-59 single cylinder -- pump
Dual outboard instrument mounted in boat A-67
setup for PORT Type "c" power trim/ tilt
outboard uni t A-60 system WITH fuse --
Dual outboard instrument 1990 and on A-68
setup for STARBOARD Trim indicator gauge
outboard unit A-61 and alar m horn A-69

1
SAFETY
1-1 INTRODUCTION
In order to protect the investment for
the boat and outboard, they must be cared
for properly while being used and when out
of the water. Always store the boat with
the bow higher than the stern and be sure to
remove the transom drain plug and the inner
hull drain plugs. If any type of cover is used
to protect the boat, be sure to allow for
some movement of air through the hull.
Proper ventilation will assure evaporation of
any condensation that may form due to
changes in temperature and humidity.
1-2 CLEANING, WAXING, AND POLISHING
Any boat should be washed with clear
water after each use to remove surface dirt
and any salt deposits from use in salt water.
Regular rinsing will extend the time be-
tween waxing and polishing. It will also give
you "pride of ownership", by having a sharp
looking piece of equipment. Elbow grease, a
mild detergent, and a brush will be required
to remove stubborn dirt, oil, and other un-
sigh tly deposi ts.
Stay away from harsh abrasives or strong
chemical cleaners. A white buffing com-
pound can be used to restore the original
gloss to a scratched, dull, or faded area.
The finish of your boat should be thoroughly
cleaned, buffed, and polished at least once
each season. Take care when buffing or
polishing with a marine cleaner not to over-
hea t the surface you are working, because
you will burn it.
1-3 CONTROLLING CORROSION
Since man first started out on the water,
corrosion on his craft has been his enemy.
The first form was merely rot in the wood
and then it was rust, followed by other
forms of destructive corrosion in the more
modern materials. One defense against cor-
rosion is to use similar metals throughout
the boat. Even though this is difficult to do
in designing a new boat, particularly the
undersides, similar metals should be used
whenever and wherever possible.
A second defense against corrosion is to
insulate dissimilar metals. This can be done
by using an exterior coating of Sea Skin or
by insulating them with plastic or rubber
gaskets.
A clean boat and properly tuned outboard unit,
reflect the "pride of ownership" a family has each time
the equipment is used.

1-2 SAFETY
Zinc installation also used as the trim tab. The tab
assists the helmsperson to maintain a true course
without "fighting" the wheel.
Using Zinc
The proper amount of zinc attached to a
boat is extremely important. The use of too
much zinc can cause wood burning by plac-
ing the metals close together and they be-
come "hot". On the other hand, using too
small a zinc plate will cause more rapid
deterioration of the metal you are trying to
protect. If in doubt, consider the fact that
it is far better to replace the zincs than to
replace planking or other expensive metal
parts from having an excess of zinc.
When installing zinc plates, there are
two routes available. One is to install many
Accessory zinc installation on the boat transom to
provide additional corrosion protection.
A new trim tab zinc, left, and a corroded zinc,
right. An excellent example of the inexpensive zinc
saving more costly parts of the outboard unit.
different zincs on all metal parts and thus
run the risk of wood burning. Another
route, is to use one large zinc on the tran-
som of the boat and then connect this zinc
to every underwater metal part through
internal bonding. Of the two choices, the
one zinc on the transom is the better way to
go.
Small outboard engines have a zinc plate
attached to the cavitation plate. Therefore,
the zinc remains with the engine at all
times.
1-'1 PROPELLERS
As you know, the propeller is actually
what moves the boat through the water.
This is how it is done. The propeller oper-
ates in water in much the manner as a wood
screw does in wood. The propeller "bites"
into the water as it rotates. Water passes
between the blades and out to the rear in
the shape of a cone. The propeller "biting"
through the water in much the same manner
as a wood auger is what propels the boat.
Diameter and pitch are the two basic dimensions of
a propeller. The diameter is measured across the
circumference of a circle scribed by the propeller
blades, as shown.

Diameter and Pitch
Only two dimensions of the propeller are
of real interest to the boat owner: the
diameter and the pitch. These two dimen-
sions are stamped on the propeller hub and
always appear in the same order: the diam-
eter first and then the pitch. For instance,
the number 15-19 stamped on the hub,
would mean the propeller had a diameter of
15 inches with a pitch of 19.
The diameter is the measured distance
from the tip of one blade to the tip of the
other as shown in the accom panying illus-
tration.
The pitch of a propeller is the angle at
which the blades are attached to the hub.
This figure is expressed in inches of water
travel for each revolution of the propeller.
In our example of a 15-19 propeller, the
propeller should travel 19 inches through the
water each time it revolves. If the propel-
ler action was perfect and there was no
slippage, then the pitch multiplied by the
propeller rpms would be the boat speed.
Most outboard manufacturers equip their
units with a standard propeller with a di-
ameter and pitch they consider to be best
suited to the engine and the boat. Such a
propeller allows the engine to run as near to
the rated rpm and horsepower (at full throt-
tle) as possible for the boat design.
The blade area of the propeller deter-
mines its load-carrying capacity. A two-
blade propeller is used for high-speed run-
ning under very light loads.
A four-blade propeller is installed in
boats intended to operate at low speeds
under very heavy loads such as tugs, barges,
or large house boa ts. The three-blade pro-
peller is the happy medium covering the
wide range between the high performance
units and the load carrying workhorses.
1-+--- 10" --_~
PROPELLERS 1-3
Typical attaching hardware for a propeller.
Propeller Selection
There is no standard propeller that will
do the proper job in very many cases. The
list of sizes and weights of boats is almost
endless. This fact coupled with the many
boat-engine combinations makes the propel-
ler selection for a specific purpose a diffi-
cult job. In fact, in many cases the propel-
ler is changed after a few test runs. Proper
selection is aided through the use of charts
set up for various engines and boats. These
charts should be studied and understood
when buying a propeller. However, bear in
mind, the charts are based on average boats
with average loads, therefore, it may be
necessary to make a change in size or pitch,
in order to obtain the desired results for the
hull design or load condition.
Propellers are available with a wide
range of pitch. Remember, a low pitch
takes a smaller bite of the water than the
high pitch propeller. This means the low
pitch propeller will travel less distance
through the water per revolution. The low
21" -------~
Diagram to explain the pitch dimension of a propeller. The pitch is the theoretical distance a propeller would travel
through water if there were no friction.

1-4 SAFETY
pitch will require less horsepower and will
allow the engine to run faster.
All engine manufacturers design their
units to operate with full throttle at, or
slightly above, the rated rpm. If you run
your engine at the rated rpm, you will
increase spark plug life, receive better fuel
economy, and obtain the best performance
from your boat and engine. Therefore, take
time to make the proper propeller selection
for the rated rpm of your engine at full
throttle with what you consider to be an
average load. Your boat will then be cor-
rectly balanced between engine and pro-
peller throughout the entire speed range.
A reliable tachometer must be used to
measure engine speed at full throttle to
ensure the engine will achieve full horse-
power and operate efficiently and safely.
To test for the correct propeller, make your
run in a body of smooth water with the
lower unit in forward gear at full throttle.
If the reading is above the manufacturer's
recommended operating range, you must try
propellers of greater pitch, until you find
the one that allows the engine to operate
continually within the recommended full
throttle range.
If the engine is unable to deliver top
performance and you feel it is properly
tuned, then the propeller may not be to
blame. Operating conditions have a marked
effect on performance. For instance, an
o
o 0
o
Cavitation (air bubbles) formed at the propeller.
Manufacturers are constantly fighting this problem, as
explained in the text.
engine will lose rpm when run in very cold
water. It will also lose rpm when run in salt
water as compared with fresh water. A hot,
low-barometer day will also cause your en-
gine to lose power.
Cavitation
Cavitation is the forming of voids in the
water just ahead of the propeller blades.
Marine propulsion designers are constantly
fighting the battle against the formation of
these voids due to excessive blade tip speed
and engine wear. The voids may be filled
with air or water vapor, or they may actual-
ly be a partial vacuum. Cavitation may be
caused by installing a piece of equipment
too close to the lower unit, such as the knot
indica tor pickup, depth sounder, or bai t tan~
pickup.
Vibration
Your propeller should be checked reg-
ularly to be sure all blades are in good
condition. If any of the blades become bent
or nicked, this condition will set up vibra-
tions in the drive unit and the Motor. If the
vibration becomes very serious it will cause
a loss of power, efficiency, and boat perfor-
mance. If the vibration is allowed to con-
tinue over a period of time it can have a
damaging effect on many of the operating
parts.
Vibration in boats can never be com-
pletely eliminated, but it can be reduced by
keeping all parts in good working condition
and through proper maintenance and lubri-
cation. Vibration can also be reduced in
Example of a damaged propeller. This unit should
have been replaced long before this amount of damage
was sustained.
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The manual provides comprehensive coverage of general maintenance and complete overhaul procedures for the entire outboard. It includes detailed instructions, specifications, and visual aids such as photos to assist with the procedures. This valuable resource contains the same information and details utilized by professional mechanics at their workshops, making it equally beneficial for both professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts.