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  1. JASinIL2006

    Replace metal drain plug?

    I think you’re talking about draining the crankcase of oil… I’m talking about draining water out of the block when winterizing. I do kick myself, however, for not installing one of those oil drain hoses when I had my engine out. That would’ve made life so much simpler.
  2. JASinIL2006

    Replace metal drain plug?

    That looks like just what I want! It won't affect the function of the knock sensor to swap this out?
  3. JASinIL2006

    Replace metal drain plug?

    While winterizing my boat yesterday, I found myself struggling (again) to reach the lower block drain on the starboard side of my 350 Mag. It's a plug that is underneath what I think (?) is the knock sensor. It's the only plug that requires a wrench - a 9/16" - to remove, and the older I get...
  4. JASinIL2006

    WINTERIZING: Full fuel tank vs Empty fuel tank

    I honestly don't think it matters. For the last 10 years or so, I've left whatever fuel (E10) was in the tank after my last outing. I almost always add Marine StaBil (although I'm not entirely sure it really makes much of a difference, but better safe than sorry!) and usually the tank is 1/3 to...
  5. JASinIL2006

    New to me boat

    Looks like a fun project!
  6. JASinIL2006

    Where to pass the fuel filling hose and vent fuel hose?

    Just in case this is helpful... My boat has the fuel filler cap and vent in the back, just behind the sunpad. (See first pic below for interior detail of hose attachment to filler cap and vent.) This was when my boat was torn apart for restoration. The hoses run down the transom on the...
  7. JASinIL2006

    Trailer Security

    Like many other types of crime, this sort of thing depends A LOT on where you boat. In our area, it's unheard of for trailers or trailer parts to be stolen at the ramp. I suggest you hang out the launch sites you plan to frequent, and talk to the boaters who actually use those sites. Most...
  8. JASinIL2006

    Water in bilge

    Seems like a good idea!
  9. JASinIL2006

    Water in bilge

    That's actually an interesting possibility. When I rebuilt my Larson and reinstalled the engine, I had a couple of hose clamps that weren't tight enough, but they would only leak above 3000 RPM, so everything looked fine when run on muffs. When the boat was in the water and run harder, though, I...
  10. JASinIL2006

    Water stains

    Toilet bowl cleaners that have oxalic acid work well on stains, too. Just spray on and rinse off.
  11. JASinIL2006

    Signs of bad pour foam

    I used wood stir sticks in 1- or 2-quart cups, and had no problem getting a thorough mixing.
  12. JASinIL2006

    Water in bilge

    If it's happening only when underway, it might be the seal around the rubrail has deteriorated and water is getting in there... that seems a long shot, though.
  13. JASinIL2006

    Water in bilge

    Where did you read that some Larsons can take on water? I've never heard that... seems to me that a boat should not take on water at all. How much water are you accumulating over what period of time?
  14. JASinIL2006

    Running boat on land with no prop?

    No, you cannot run in a tub (unless you have a tub that allows most of the outdrive to be submerged). The water pump on an Alpha won't suck water up out the tub; with muffs, you have the water pressure from the hose forcing water into the pump and up into the engine. Running the engine as you...
  15. JASinIL2006

    Potential project boat

    Lots of us have rebuilt boats without prior experience. Being handy and good with tools will help a lot. Keep in mind that, even after you fix up a 20- or 30-year-old boat, it's still a 20- or 30-year old boat and you most likely won't recoup your cost if you sell it. You will, however, have a...
  16. JASinIL2006

    Boat turns over but will not start

    Checking the dead man switch is actually a really good idea. I did that once too; the switch got bumped when changing drivers while skiiing. Took a while to figure it out...
  17. JASinIL2006

    determining trailer hitch height

    On a single axle trailer without brakes, it probably doesn't matter much, but I'd prefer the main frame be level, rather than the tongue. If nothing else, I'd want the extra ground clearance you'd get by leveling the frame.
  18. JASinIL2006

    Need a New battery ,got more for less at Wallyworld....I think

    I've got a number of Walmart Everstart batteries and they seem to hold up as well as any other brand.
  19. JASinIL2006

    Advice on transom , stringers and floor rebuild

    Looking good!
  20. JASinIL2006

    Favorite 3+ person towable?

    We have an Airhead G-Force 3 person tube. It’s a flat disk-style tube. Works great for 2 or 3 riders. We’re actually on our second one. We wore out the first one! https://www.iboats.com/shop/airhead-g-force-3-3-rider.html
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