1986 Mercruiser 3.0L - Cold Start - First Start of the Season 2022

Starting my 1986 Four Winns Horizon 170's 3.0L Mercruiser engine for the first time since September 2021. The engine had been winterized and oil fogged last fall and not run since. How much cranking will it take? Let's see.

[@deksea]

The choke is set a little heavy but it came off quick enough. Id leave it where it is for good starting.

[@jaykay18]

A bit cranky and rough, but once going it ran nice. I expect about the same with the Bluick, hopefully I'll take it out next week.

[@tallboyyyy]

It always runs rough for the first 30 seconds or so, I think it runs on 3 cylinders, but then smooths out. It's done that on cold starts as long as I've owned it.

[@jaykay18]

@@tallboyyyy Bluick does that too. Not the first car I've had that's done that, and probably won't be the last.

[@GamerPro-nw5lf]

What models boats used GM 151 marine 3.0 4 inline engine?

[@tallboyyyy]

It would be easier to list the boats that didn't use the 3L Mercruiser. It was a workhorse for over 30 years.

[@tallboyyyy]

Actually I just looked it up. The 3.0 was in production from 1963 to 2015. That's 52 years! They were basically in almost everything up to a certain size boat where it would have been too underpowered for the job.

[@tallyrc]

how many hours on the engine?

[@tallboyyyy]

I don't know as it doesn't have an hour meter. The engine was refreshed 4 years ago with new rings a valve job and new seals. It wasn't a full rebuild but the important stuff was changed.

[@RustyShakleford1]

@@tallboyyyy what's the top speed
On her? Or
Rough estimate on fuel
Consumption at cruise speed

[@tallboyyyy]

@@RustyShakleford1 top speed is a little over 40. I generally cruise between 30 and 35. Fuel economy is good. It's only used maybe every other weekend. I fill the 26 gallon tank when I put it in the water for the summer usually Memorial day, and don't need to add more before it comes out on Labor Day. Of course I'm not pulling skiers or tubes, just going for rides and cruises around the lake so I'm not taxing it much. And I'm not out driving it around all day. A trip around the lake is about 7 miles.