Replacement Service Parts - Mercury Bravo Three Operation & Maintenance Manual

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Replacement Service Parts

! WARNING
Electrical, ignition and fuel system components on MerCruiser
gasoline power packages are designed and manufactured to
comply with U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations to minimize
risks of fire or explosion.
Use of replacement electrical, ignition or fuel system compo-
nents, which do not comply to these rules and regulations,
could result in a fire or explosion hazard and should be avoided.
When servicing the electrical, ignition and fuel systems, it is ex-
tremely important that all components are properly installed
and tightened. If not, any electrical or ignition component would
permit sparks to ignite fuel vapors from fuel system leaks, if
they existed.
Marine engines are expected to operate at or near full–throttle for
most of their life. They are also expected to operate in both fresh and
saltwater environments. These conditions require numerous special
parts. Care should be exercised when replacing marine engine parts
as specifications are quite different from those of the standard auto-
motive engine.
For example, one of the most important, and probably the least sus-
pected special replacement part, is the cylinder head gasket. Since
saltwater is highly corrosive, the steel-type automotive head gasket
cannot be used. A marine engine head gasket uses special materials
to resist corrosive action.
Since marine engines must be capable of running at or near maxi-
mum RPM much of the time, special valve springs, valve lifters, pis-
tons, bearings, camshafts and other heavy-duty moving parts are re-
quired for long life and peak performance.
These are but a few of the many special modifications that are re-
quired in MerCruiser marine engines to provide long life and depend-
able performance.
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