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  1. harringtondav

    Buying a automotive engine to replace my mercruiser, need opinions

    All of this engine discussion is great learning, but a mile over my head. My input is while you have the engine out is a great opportunity to update hard to get at parts. Particularly the flywheel engine coupler and front and rear engine mounts. Especially if these are original. Transom...
  2. harringtondav

    "Fogging" new VP 4.3?

    Also thanks. Goal is to get the 2 stroke oil in the engine and pink antifreeze into the sea water side of the closed cooling system. ....at the same time. First winter learning curve.
  3. harringtondav

    "Fogging" new VP 4.3?

    Thanks much! This will work. ...I've got plenty of 50:1 made up for my Husqy yard tools. ..recon that mix should be good.
  4. harringtondav

    "Fogging" new VP 4.3?

    I could access the spark plugs fairly easily on my Merc 4.3, and occasionally gave each cyl a shot through the hole, and crank it with the dead man switch tripped. One side of the new engine is accessible. Not sure about the starboard side. ...could take more excavation than I want to do.
  5. harringtondav

    "Fogging" new VP 4.3?

    My owners manual says to mix two stoke engine oil into my boat's fuel and run it through to get the necessary corrosion protection over winter lay up. With my previous Merc carbed 4.3 I simply sprayed fogging oil into the carb. My VP 4.3 is high tech with high pressure direct injection, O2...
  6. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    Chris, the boat came with a VP alum 14.3 x 21. It pegged at 5800 rpm. I suspect it was rev limited. Slip was 17% WOT. I'll recheck slip at 3500-4000 rpm with the 21P which is where I spend most of the time. WOT is interesting, but scares the wife.
  7. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    VP SX 1.91. (Please don't hate me. The VP 4.3 has too many advantages over the Merc 4.5)
  8. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    Update: I purchased a Solas HR Titan 3 14.25" x 22P here at iBoats. I think I'm as close to the sweet spot as I'll get. WOT rpm = 5500 vs 5400-5800 spec. GPS speed = 55 mph. Slip = 8% Per @achris "The prop maketh the boat."
  9. harringtondav

    Scan tool for new VP 4.3?

    Thanks, I recall past forum posts and discussions about Diacom vs Techmate. It seemed the trade off was convenience with the Techmate vs. less convenience but more capability with the laptop based Diacom. My post warranty objective is diagnosing engine problems, and resolving with DIY repairs.
  10. harringtondav

    Scan tool for new VP 4.3?

    Thanks. I assumed I need a Rinda, but I'm unsure which model. The link below looks close, but I'd like to know which model others are using. I recall @achris once posted that he used his to reset a low oil pressure fault after changing his upside down Merc 4.3 filter and loosing prime. I'd like...
  11. harringtondav

    Scan tool for new VP 4.3?

    I love our new VP 4.3. With their five year warranty I shouldn't be worrying about diagnostics and repair...yet. But I'm a DIY freak and a control freak, and I want the ability to know the cause of potential, or real trouble, as well as monitor things. Then I can deal with it myself if it's...
  12. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    Agree. Getting the correct SS prop dialed in can be pricey if I don't nail it the first try. Diameter and pitch decisions still have me wringing my hands. The only thing that made sense with my 21P=>23P experiment was a 500 rpm decrease in WOT rpm.
  13. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    Thanks I know SS would improve performance. I've got a hunch my 250 hp is overpowering and flexing the aluminum blades. The SS price doesn't scare me off. But we boat in the hazardous, trashy upper Mississippi river, and every bent prop shaft I've had came from a SS prop impact. ...aluminum...
  14. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    Thanks. Your success story and other's show the counterintuitive can work.
  15. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    Thanks. ...same 17% slip the Merc racing calculator gave me. My question is how do I reduce the slip % which is essentially the same with 21 and 23P three blade alum props.
  16. harringtondav

    Need Help From You Guys That Have Prop Efficiency Calculators

    Update. I loaded a GPS speedo app and bought a 23P Solas 3 blade alum prop. Results have me a bit perplexed. The 23P prop predictably pulled WOT rpm down to 5300 rpm from 5800 with the OEM 21P. WOT GPS speed essentially a wash at 50-51 mph. Slip also about the same around 17+%. Hole shots to...
  17. harringtondav

    Merc prop on VP with Hub Kit?

    Thanks. Good info.
  18. harringtondav

    Merc prop on VP with Hub Kit?

    Thanks. ...I assume a VP hub kit is required? I don't know if the Merc pressed in hubs are compatible. ...are they? I have a beat up Apollo prop from my old Merc Alpha II. I'll bring it to the river and see if it fits.
  19. harringtondav

    Merc prop on VP with Hub Kit?

    I'm trying to dial in a second prop on my new VP SX powered boat. The prop offerings for VP are fewer than for Mercruiser. My question is would a Merc interchangeable hub prop work on my SX drive with a the correct VP hub kit? My concern is keeping the correct clearance between the front of the...
  20. harringtondav

    1900ESX Prop Cavitation?

    This new boat was delivered with a 14.3x21 alum prop. Awesome hole shot and acceleration, but the engine tached at the 5800 rpm red line as well as having relatively high rpms for the speed. ...don't know if the 5800 rpm was from the rev limiter or actual engine load. I always carry a spare...
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