Question I have a 1989 Marlin with a new 350 Chevrolet (8 Hrs) and the stock Mercruiser Alpha I. My problem is that I was driving the boat for about an hour and then went to an idle when I went to take off again it started to go then the motor revved way up and it was like slipping I checked the prop and it was ok so I lifted the engine case and it was smoking really bad smelled like I burnt up a belt but they were ok too. I started the motor back up and it started just fine and idled great but when I put it back in gear it moved a little when in gear with no throttle added but once I added the throttle it slipped and started to smoke again I shut it down and rowed to shore I talked to a couple of people at the lake and they said it could be the Gimbal bearing but I did not think it would do this. What do I need to do. Should I pull the motor or the outdrive first to check into this or do I pull both. Any advise you could give would be appreciated.
Answer the engine coupler is bad....the smoke is the rubber hub of the coupler.....pull the drive, then pull the engine..remove the bolts to the stringers, that way you will not change the alignment....good luck...not hard just takes time....
