1986 Cobalt 269 Condurre twin 260 mercruiser alpha ones. 520 hours each at least, thats if the meters are correct. I'm going to change the couplers and have starters rebuilt or buy some mini gear reduction starters if I can find some worth the money. Outside of that was thinking valve springs maybe?

Big question is whether I should be looking at any other common wear items on the drives, steering , motors etc. etc.???


Motors run fine they are just old. Would really love to do aluminum exhaust risers, aluminum heads, and aluminum intake just to lighten her up, get a little power, better fuel consumption, improve hole shot and if I'm lucky get some top end. But the money involved in doing that seems cost prohibitive if I'm not going to really feel the improvements in the seat of the pants.

I would take the opportunity to look at the stringers and transom real close. If there is any sign of softening, this would be a great time to remedy.

I will check that out,, I forgot about that.

Good advice from Ken. At 520 hours i would seriously consider a top end rebuild at least. Take a compression and leak down test before pulling the engines. If bottom end seems OK I would freshen up the heads, new cams and lifters, rebuild the carbs and new fuel pumps.

With those hours you should be looking at EVERYTHING for slop, play and wear, leaks, noises etc. Whats wrong with the couplers? Watch the hole shots with those Alphas, should be fine with the small blocks. I wouldn't waste my money on exhaust manifolds and such for small blocks. Expensive and hard to find used. You might get 60mph out of it and you'll probly want more. Thats a good start.

You might even drill a few small "cores" to be sure.

Pulled drive last night and it spun out the aluminum splines. Fuel pumps are new. Oct 2010. Figure the other. Coupler is on borrowed time. I have a brand new set of edelbroc heads for one engine and have located an Identical set new. Do you think this would be worth the trouble.

Hoses, rebuild both starters & alternators, clean out the coolers, change the plugs, wires, cap, rotor etc. Basically anything that is a pain in the a$$ to get to in the boat.