Maintenance/Tune Up

[Jek5068]

Good Morning Cruisers,

Name is Justin. Recently purchased a 26' Tollycraft with a Mercruiser 255 V8.

I would like a fresh start to the engine because I am not sure when the last time it had any maintenance on it. It has 400 hours on it and looks great.

I am pretty handy when it comes to a car and do everything on my old 1998 jeep that doesn't require a lift.

Can anyone help me with a list of things to replace/check/clean?
(example: oil change, spark plugs, i heard about iginition switches?)

Thank you

[Jek5068]

any advice?

[ranger58sb]

I'm not great with gas engines, but...

Check/repair/replace everything you'd do on your Jeep, including new belts and new anti-freeze (preventive maintenance).

And then check/replace repair cooling system stuff. If it's freshwater cooled, for example, you would:
-replace the exhaust risers and elbows and wing plates (I'm told they only last 5 years or so in salt water)
-clean your sea strainer (periodic service)
-confirm the water pump">raw water pump is in good repair
-change the raw water pump impeller anyway (annual service)
-check the heat exchanger (and probably have it serviced anyway, even if it appears good)
-check and maybe (preventive maintenance) replace raw water hoses

And while you're at it, deep clean (detail) the engine room and do some touch-up painting on the engines. This is partly for looks, but especially so it's easy to spot future hose-ups (leaks, etc.) before they turn catastrophic.

-Chris'