Help with ordering manifold kits/parts

Shaun77

Shaun77

Member
Mar 23, 2012
112
Florida
Boat Info
2011 185 Sport
Engines
4.3L 190hp Alpha 1
Found some hot spots on my exhaust system the day(up to 185 deg) temp never ran hot tho?? and guess it's time to change the manifolds/risers. Problem i'm having is finding the correct kit, or even parts for that matter. It's a 2011 4.3l. Went to Mercurys website and pulled all the part numbers. The manifold itself is pretty easy to find but my riser is measured at 9" and a 2" spacer. The part number is clearly stamped on the spacer but google search returns nothing and all i've seen are 4" risers. Mercs website even says "not sold separate" for the spacer on the diagram. Any better websites out there for full kits? Also. the manifold part number says it's a dry-joint manifold, which I was happy to hear, but many of the kits i've found are "not for dry-joints".

Manifold-864612t01
Riser-86459t02
Spacer-865944-c
 
Last edited:
$ years or so on dry joint .... That seems on the low side even for salt water usage. Do you know what happened?
 
find it hard to believe it would have riser extentions on a small boat plus what is the engine serial number
 
Here is the best pic I could get. Nothing really happened. I was just feeling around underway and it felt a bit warm. While flushing it at home I put a IR gun on a couple spots and temps were up near 190 on the manifolds.

Serial # is-1A631540

View attachment 39523
 
I assume the raw water pump is good? I've always been in freshwater, so I've never changed a riser or manifold, but 4yrs seems short. But 190deg on the manifold is hot - you should be able to lay your hand on the risers and the manifold sides.
 
Yes, impellers good. Less than 80hrs on it. But due to be changed anyway. I've got an impeller and thermostat on the way. But like I said, it's never overheated. Gauge has always stayed on the "low" side.
 
Shaun77 said:
Yes, impellers good. Less than 80hrs on it. But due to be changed anyway. I've got an impeller and thermostat on the way. But like I said, it's never overheated. Gauge has always stayed on the "low" side.
Click to expand...

Don't assume the impeller is good based on low hours.....I was speaking with a friend recently and he had brand new Mercruiser impeller go bad after just a few hours....the rubber blades were slipping on the metal center hub......the pump shaft was turning the impeller hub but the rubber blades were not turning.....

cliff
 
Where was it hot? Some places, depending on current load and water flow, will obviously be hotter than others. It's normal/expected to have some spots hotter than others. Generally, you should be able to keep your hand on top of the elbow, but the side of the manifolds can be quite a bit hotter. Are you comparing the same spots to other times that you've done this (under the same conditions)?

Any Merc shop can get the parts for you by simply telling them your engine serial number.

Before you go and replace parts that may or may not be bad, why don't you pull them off and check them out? But based solely on what you've written so far, I'm not convinced they're even bad. Does the boat stay in the water full time, or is it trailered? Flushed when you get home?
 
Last edited:
The hottest part I found were the manifolds. When I first felt the risers I was at idle, had been on plane about 10 minutes prior. The starboard riser was cool to the touch and the port was hot, but I could keep my hand there for a few seconds. At home with the gun both risers showed around 140 on the muffs and 189 on port manifold/170ish on the starboard. I'm gonna do the impeller and t-stat first and then put the gun back on and see. When you just pull the risers/manifolds to "check", if they're still good you just replace them with new gaskets?

on a side note, went back to the parts diagram and that spacer is a kit in and of itself, $400 for the pair!! Part # is actually 865995A01. When the time comes I may just have to but it all in pieces.
 
Just an update. Ordered from fixmymercruiser.com on Saturday and received my parts today. Very quick very well priced and customer service is outstanding
 
Yes, check and replace.

Don't get too stuck on the IR gun readings. This is by no means an exact science and trying to make it one will only get you in trouble. It's good tool to have, though. From what you're saying everything sounds normal.
 
nuwavemarine.com. beat everybody on OEM Mercruiser manifolds and risers.
 
Nuwave.com and fixmymercruiser.com are the same company. When you check out online it redirects you to nuwave. Opened my boxes to check my order today abd everything is perfect. Very happy with them
 
I had the same experience. Not only on manifolds and risers but just about anything. I only use them for parts now
 
Take it apart and inspect first. It has to come apart regardless, ordering parts after inspection may save you a few $$. Keep note on the gasket shapes, direction and position above and below the spacer (they are different). The gaskets are not re-usable, and being 'dry joint' more expensive. Order replacements using the engine S/N.

I know you said 80 hrs on the impeller, but how many years does that translate into? If you don't have a history, I'd focus on that now to establish a baseline. Rule of thumb is 2 years in salt water to inspect. To me that was a very conservative number and your mileage may vary based on the waters (ingesting sand for instance). FWIW I separated the drive every 2 years to inspect, and in all cases, the rubber was still very pliable, looking brand new.
 
Don't know guys but, the place "PBS Boat Store" has better prices online for my engine manifolds and risers.
I have recommended them in the past on here and have ordered from them with great results.

They shipped from the same warehouse that my local Mercruiser dealer would have gotten them from but, local dealer wouldn't match the price .. even if I allowed for the shipping expense, it was less expensive from PBS.
 
Last edited:
Air O'Nautical said:
Don't know guys but, the place "PBS Boat Store" has better prices online for my engine manifolds and risers.
I have recommended them in the past on here and have ordered from them with great results.

They shipped from the same warehouse that my local Mercruiser dealer would have gotten them from but, local dealer wouldn't match the price .. even if I allowed for the shipping expense, it was less expensive from PBS.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip; I will have to check them out before I order a complete set of hoses .
 
Impellar was change in June of last year, when the drive was serviced. I changed it today anyways just to see and it actually looked really good. I did notice the old gaskets were a nice beefy rubber. The quicksilver kit I bought were just your typical paper gaskets. Going to order some manifold gaskets now and try to pull the exhaust apart ASAP. Thanks for the help with the sites.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,241
Messages
1,429,115
Members
61,122
Latest member
DddAae
Back
Top