Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

Let me preface this post by saying that I have limited boating experince,
but considerable automotive experience, so I am trying to learn the marine
jargon and make things easier on myself.

In my quest for spark plug wires for my newly acquired waterbound money
waster, I went to the local BoatUS of all places, thinking that they might
have what I need.

After twenty minutes of waiting in line without an employee to be seen, I
said I needed a set of plug wires for a Mercruiser 165 hp four cylinder.

After about 48 minutes of looking through his big book, answering the phone,
asking other employees, etc, he says "I can't find a listing for that
engine".

Huh? Is this engine that uncommon? I realize that the 165 is the horsepower,
and not the displacement. It is an inline four cylinder, with points
ignition. So should I be referring to this engine as a 165 hp, or a 3.7
litre, or as a 224 cubic inch, or all of the above?

The other item on my list, which he said was discontinued and not available,
was the heat exchanger end gaskets. I need two of them in the three inch
diameter variety.

I asked him if any of the other local locations would have these parts, and
he said they are unusual items, and would need to be special ordered. Is it
that unusual or was I just dealing with an inexperienced parts counterman?

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

TSC wrote:
Let me preface this post by saying that I have limited boating experince,
but considerable automotive experience, so I am trying to learn the marine
jargon and make things easier on myself.

In my quest for spark plug wires for my newly acquired waterbound money
waster, I went to the local BoatUS of all places, thinking that they might
have what I need.

After twenty minutes of waiting in line without an employee to be seen, I
said I needed a set of plug wires for a Mercruiser 165 hp four cylinder.

After about 48 minutes of looking through his big book, answering the phone,
asking other employees, etc, he says "I can't find a listing for that
engine".

Huh? Is this engine that uncommon? I realize that the 165 is the horsepower,
and not the displacement. It is an inline four cylinder, with points
ignition. So should I be referring to this engine as a 165 hp, or a 3.7
litre, or as a 224 cubic inch, or all of the above?

The other item on my list, which he said was discontinued and not available,
was the heat exchanger end gaskets. I need two of them in the three inch
diameter variety.

I asked him if any of the other local locations would have these parts, and
he said they are unusual items, and would need to be special ordered. Is it
that unusual or was I just dealing with an inexperienced parts counterman?



Wire set:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=sierra%2018-8808

Your 3.7 Liter is also known as a 224 cid.

Rob

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

you're working with a Chevy engine.

NAPA! they should be able to get your gaskets too.


TSC wrote:
Let me preface this post by saying that I have limited boating experince,
but considerable automotive experience, so I am trying to learn the marine
jargon and make things easier on myself.

In my quest for spark plug wires for my newly acquired waterbound money
waster, I went to the local BoatUS of all places, thinking that they might
have what I need.

After twenty minutes of waiting in line without an employee to be seen, I
said I needed a set of plug wires for a Mercruiser 165 hp four cylinder.

After about 48 minutes of looking through his big book, answering the phone,
asking other employees, etc, he says "I can't find a listing for that
engine".

Huh? Is this engine that uncommon? I realize that the 165 is the horsepower,
and not the displacement. It is an inline four cylinder, with points
ignition. So should I be referring to this engine as a 165 hp, or a 3.7
litre, or as a 224 cubic inch, or all of the above?

The other item on my list, which he said was discontinued and not available,
was the heat exchanger end gaskets. I need two of them in the three inch
diameter variety.

I asked him if any of the other local locations would have these parts, and
he said they are unusual items, and would need to be special ordered. Is it
that unusual or was I just dealing with an inexperienced parts counterman?

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

Tim wrote:

you're working with a Chevy engine.

Not a Chevy.

This one is a proprietary Mercruiser engine, based somewhat on the Ford
460 V-8, or half of one anyway, w/ an aluminum block.


NAPA! they should be able to get your gaskets too.

Sierra is the supplier for NAPA.

Rob




TSC wrote:

Let me preface this post by saying that I have limited boating experince,
but considerable automotive experience, so I am trying to learn the marine
jargon and make things easier on myself.

In my quest for spark plug wires for my newly acquired waterbound money
waster, I went to the local BoatUS of all places, thinking that they might
have what I need.

After twenty minutes of waiting in line without an employee to be seen, I
said I needed a set of plug wires for a Mercruiser 165 hp four cylinder.

After about 48 minutes of looking through his big book, answering the phone,
asking other employees, etc, he says "I can't find a listing for that
engine".

Huh? Is this engine that uncommon? I realize that the 165 is the horsepower,
and not the displacement. It is an inline four cylinder, with points
ignition. So should I be referring to this engine as a 165 hp, or a 3.7
litre, or as a 224 cubic inch, or all of the above?

The other item on my list, which he said was discontinued and not available,
was the heat exchanger end gaskets. I need two of them in the three inch
diameter variety.

I asked him if any of the other local locations would have these parts, and
he said they are unusual items, and would need to be special ordered. Is it
that unusual or was I just dealing with an inexperienced parts counterman?

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

I didn't know that... thanks!

But I suppose my point is that a good auto parts store should be able
to come up with the goods.


trainfan1 wrote:
Tim wrote:

you're working with a Chevy engine.

Not a Chevy.

This one is a proprietary Mercruiser engine, based somewhat on the Ford
460 V-8, or half of one anyway, w/ an aluminum block.


NAPA! they should be able to get your gaskets too.

Sierra is the supplier for NAPA.

Rob




TSC wrote:

Let me preface this post by saying that I have limited boating experince,
but considerable automotive experience, so I am trying to learn the marine
jargon and make things easier on myself.

In my quest for spark plug wires for my newly acquired waterbound money
waster, I went to the local BoatUS of all places, thinking that they might
have what I need.

After twenty minutes of waiting in line without an employee to be seen, I
said I needed a set of plug wires for a Mercruiser 165 hp four cylinder.

After about 48 minutes of looking through his big book, answering the phone,
asking other employees, etc, he says "I can't find a listing for that
engine".

Huh? Is this engine that uncommon? I realize that the 165 is the horsepower,
and not the displacement. It is an inline four cylinder, with points
ignition. So should I be referring to this engine as a 165 hp, or a 3.7
litre, or as a 224 cubic inch, or all of the above?

The other item on my list, which he said was discontinued and not available,
was the heat exchanger end gaskets. I need two of them in the three inch
diameter variety.

I asked him if any of the other local locations would have these parts, and
he said they are unusual items, and would need to be special ordered. Is it
that unusual or was I just dealing with an inexperienced parts counterman?

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

Only if they carry marine stuff. That merc was specific to boats and never
had an auto equivilent except that it used some parts from the 460. Merc
quickly figured out it didn't really want to be in the engine building
business and went back to gm and ford.

"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...



I didn't know that... thanks!

But I suppose my point is that a good auto parts store should be able
to come up with the goods.


trainfan1 wrote:
Tim wrote:

you're working with a Chevy engine.

Not a Chevy.

This one is a proprietary Mercruiser engine, based somewhat on the Ford
460 V-8, or half of one anyway, w/ an aluminum block.


NAPA! they should be able to get your gaskets too.

Sierra is the supplier for NAPA.

Rob




TSC wrote:

Let me preface this post by saying that I have limited boating
experince,
but considerable automotive experience, so I am trying to learn the
marine
jargon and make things easier on myself.

In my quest for spark plug wires for my newly acquired waterbound money
waster, I went to the local BoatUS of all places, thinking that they
might
have what I need.

After twenty minutes of waiting in line without an employee to be seen,
I
said I needed a set of plug wires for a Mercruiser 165 hp four
cylinder.

After about 48 minutes of looking through his big book, answering the
phone,
asking other employees, etc, he says "I can't find a listing for that
engine".

Huh? Is this engine that uncommon? I realize that the 165 is the
horsepower,
and not the displacement. It is an inline four cylinder, with points
ignition. So should I be referring to this engine as a 165 hp, or a 3.7
litre, or as a 224 cubic inch, or all of the above?

The other item on my list, which he said was discontinued and not
available,
was the heat exchanger end gaskets. I need two of them in the three
inch
diameter variety.

I asked him if any of the other local locations would have these parts,
and
he said they are unusual items, and would need to be special ordered.
Is it
that unusual or was I just dealing with an inexperienced parts
counterman?

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

James wrote:
Only if they carry marine stuff. That merc was specific to boats and never
had an auto equivilent except that it used some parts from the 460. Merc
quickly figured out

and it only took 14 model years... '76 to '89...

Rob


it didn't really want to be in the engine building
business and went back to gm and ford.

"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...



I didn't know that... thanks!

But I suppose my point is that a good auto parts store should be able
to come up with the goods.

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

So they're slow. Just look at some of their other rube-goldburg
engineering. Water pump requiring frequent servicing buried in the
middle of the outdrive. Shifting gears in the bottom of the outdrive.
Engine "stall" shift mechanism.

trainfan1 wrote:
James wrote:
Only if they carry marine stuff. That merc was specific to boats and never
had an auto equivilent except that it used some parts from the 460. Merc
quickly figured out

and it only took 14 model years... '76 to '89...

Rob


it didn't really want to be in the engine building
business and went back to gm and ford.

"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...



I didn't know that... thanks!

But I suppose my point is that a good auto parts store should be able
to come up with the goods.

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

Oops, I forgot the water cooled alternator.

jamesgangnc wrote:
So they're slow. Just look at some of their other rube-goldburg
engineering. Water pump requiring frequent servicing buried in the
middle of the outdrive. Shifting gears in the bottom of the outdrive.
Engine "stall" shift mechanism.

trainfan1 wrote:
James wrote:
Only if they carry marine stuff. That merc was specific to boats and never
had an auto equivilent except that it used some parts from the 460. Merc
quickly figured out

and it only took 14 model years... '76 to '89...

Rob


it didn't really want to be in the engine building
business and went back to gm and ford.

"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...



I didn't know that... thanks!

But I suppose my point is that a good auto parts store should be able
to come up with the goods.

Just exactly what engine do I have?
 

I didn't know they used a water-cooled alternator. I know Delphi makes
one for certian Cadillac models, and there were a few varients of oil
cooled units on Detroit engines,
PLUS the giant 50 DN on greyhound bus's

I've also heard that Hitachi makes a "universal utility" water cooled
unit, but have never seen one.


jamesgangnc wrote:
Oops, I forgot the water cooled alternator.

jamesgangnc wrote:
So they're slow. Just look at some of their other rube-goldburg
engineering. Water pump requiring frequent servicing buried in the
middle of the outdrive. Shifting gears in the bottom of the outdrive.
Engine "stall" shift mechanism.

trainfan1 wrote:
James wrote:
Only if they carry marine stuff. That merc was specific to boats and never
had an auto equivilent except that it used some parts from the 460. Merc
quickly figured out

and it only took 14 model years... '76 to '89...

Rob


it didn't really want to be in the engine building
business and went back to gm and ford.

"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...



I didn't know that... thanks!

But I suppose my point is that a good auto parts store should be able
to come up with the goods.