Auto parts instead of marine parts???

I'm getting ready to do some maintenance and was wondering if I needed marine parts from the boat dealer or if auto parts work. Also, does anyone have a parts list of which things you can use auto parts (and part #'s) and which you can't for a 1996 SuperSport?

Spark plug wires, spark plugs, cap, rotor, etc.

Thanks
Robert

really the only things that are marine specific are the starter and alternator.

As well as fuel pump, carb or injection, ignition, circ pump to name a few more.

Marine spark plugs are stainless steel, auto are not and they can rust and be very difficult to remove from the block. You can buy marine plugs at many auto parts stores.

Auto cap, rotor, plug wires are fine. Problem is finding the part numbers.

Hmmmmm... I've changed a lot of spark plugs on a lot of boat motors, and never seen a set made of stainless.

You might have a hard time getting an automotive plug wire kit to work. The coil wire usually needs some kind of oddball plug, and the lengths never seem to work with the different exhaust manifolds. I've tried to get automotive plug wire kits to work a few times, never succeeded.

For safety reasons, definitely stick with marine parts for the starter, alternator, distributor cap, fuel pump, and carb/EFI.

A good starter/alternator shop can also modify automotive starter/alts for marine use (explosion proof) - it's only a difference of couple screens over openings to where the spark happens.

I I've owned 3 v-drive boats with 3 different marine engines, Indmar, Mercruiser, and PCM, all had stainless plugs. I changed plugs in a friends Supra last month and it had stainless plugs.

I have worked on cars since I was 12 years old in my dad's auto shop and never ran into this until 2002 on my first inboard boat.

Use anti-seize on the plugs and you won't have any issues stainless or not.

That is weird. Has anyone else noticed stainless plugs?

robert just call skidim they are cheap and so fast. I think people here will back that up.

marine grade parts i believe have the part # of J1171. I may be off a digit or two but I know it's close.

I have used the autolite copper cor plug from day one in my engine and used them for 6 years and never had any problems. In your engine and the gt40 setup, I think it is a 3925 or possibly 3924 (1 heat range colder) Get automotive plugs and dont give it a second thought. I have also never antisiezed my plugs because it is a steel thread going into a steel head. You can use it and it wont hurt but I never have and I havent had a problem yet.

Why does a ski boat need stainless spark plugs?

The engine on my boat stays dry at all times. The engine on my car gets wet when I drive in the rain.

If I have ever had stainless sparkplugs I sure didn't know it.

As for marine components: Anything in the fuel system and anything electrical that is located in the engine compartment.

Rod

I've used Napa auto parts to tune up my boat engines for 15+ years & never had any issues. Ignition parts, oil, filters, fuel filters, water separators, hoses, belts, etc.

Alternators & starters are specific to a boat, or an enclosed engine compartment.

I went back and looked up the part number for the stainless plugs. AC MR43LTS the s is for stainless. I don't know that they have to be but GM (AC Delco) makes them and Indmar, Mercruiser and PCM have all used them the past few years.

If you look at the Skidim website you can see the stainless look on the AC and NGK plugs for the late model Vortex engines.

http://www.skidim.com/products.asp?dept=1023

(Message edited by mobv on July 28, 2008)

I still put anti-seize on just about every threaded assembly I touch...cheap insurance! It certainly makes a difference on trailer lug nuts.

plug wires can be fun b/c they need to be longer for exhaust manifold clearance.

fuel lines are supposed to be rigid steel on a boat. But, I just put a flexible braided steel line on and it is working just fine.

In Canada auto parts are illegal on boats.

Carb has to be marine simply becasue of the vent tubes turn into j-tubes on marine application.

Most parts are graded for a certain amount of 'seaworthiness', but they are similar to auto parts.