well yesterday i purchased two new mercury t-stats and gaskets. I flushed the heads, and tomorrow im going to install a new water pump with seals.
Good idea. This should resolve any issues from your cooling stand point. While your at it you may as well change the {gearlube.} Just buy two quarts just incase. If you dont have the little merc hand pump there about 10 bucks but will last you for years. Open the bottom hole first have a bucket ready. When you unscrew the top hole the oil will flow. Air tight. Its nice to use a very clean bucket!! That way you can see whats comming out after. Inspect the oil that came out for fillings or water. {milky look}. As these are other things that would cause over heating if the gears are messes up. Dont worry it was most lickely just the Stats or Impeller. Most common by far.
When you add gearlube put in on bottom hole with top hole open. Fill untill you see just a sip comming from the top hole. Put the top scrw back in with the {filler still in!!} As you pull the bottom filler tube out let a little drain out!!! That way your a 1/8 or 1/16th from full. Its been known that having the gearcase right full can blow seals because when the lube expands theres no were for it to go. That should do it.
On first water test let the temps get to 100 at idle before you start to step on her. Bring up to speed then cruise like you did before. Avoid shallow water were your pump can pick up crap!! if all is good all is good.
When you take your gearcase off be ready!! After the last bolt it will drop! :gasp Its heavey and awkward. Tie a rope around mine just incase!!! Make sure your in N {some say ingear}? I like N so I can spin the shaft going back in if i have to to line up the drive shaft. If a little white tube drops out thats your water inlet for your cooling. Just make sure thats lined back up going back on. Use dishwashing liquide to take off and on the rubber seal on the shaft to take off the water pump housing. Works great because its a tight seal youll see. DONT OVER TIGHTEN the screws on your pump houseing!!! Just good and snug tight. Its just plastic!! Inspect the gaskets around the water pump. Ive had a couple times were there was a small slice right on the edge of one. Thats all it takes. You can use the dish washing soap trick for impeller twisting in also. It sounds like alot and the first time takes 45 min or so. But after that takes about 15-20 min max to take off the gearcase and put back on.
If ya really want to go nuts change your plugs also.:banghead Because you over heated you might have one thats a little fried?? Its all good stuff to doonece or twice a year dapending on how often you boat. They accually charge people alot to do this at the stealerships. If ya got a 2.5 its cost effective and you know you did it right on your baby!!
:twisted evil