Search results

  1. Lou C

    Rebuild my choke to Electric. What with the "holes"

    OK if I had to guess, I think what was there, was a fresh air intake tube, that fits into the hole feeding the metal tube that's threaded into the exhaust manifold. The way it would work, is like this: the tube that connects to the choke housing is under vacuum from a passage in the choke...
  2. Lou C

    Cold Starting RPM: What is normal?

    I set my 4.3 4bbl to idle at 600 in gear in the water. At that rpm it goes in and out of gear very easy. 2 fingers on the throttle control….
  3. Lou C

    Manifold Change

    Same I have those too! Forgot to mention I use 2 headless bolts to hold the manifold in place with the gasket
  4. Lou C

    Manifold Change

    You might try warming up the engine, then drain the manifolds and then use an impact to break the bolts loose. The ones you’re most concerned with are those holding the manifolds to the cyl head, if the bolts for the spacers/elbows won’t come out or break you can remove the manifold & elbow as a...
  5. Lou C

    Cold Starting RPM: What is normal?

    Agreed you alway want to recheck idle speed hot and in the water due to the effect of back pressure of the underwater exhaust. For a drive with dog clutch shifting you want the idle to be about 600-650 max. Too high and even with a functioning shift assist it may not lower idle enough for the...
  6. Lou C

    Simple winterization process / draining 4.3gl

    It will look milky and the level will be higher than normal, also if you remove the oil cap, inside the valve cover there will be an emulsion that looks like mayonnaise. Here's mine after blown head gaskets. This led to a top engine overhaul in 2017.
  7. Lou C

    Bellows adhesive or not?

    I look at a driveshaft bellows like I look at tires, if I see small cracks starting to form it is time to replace, that is a sign that the rubber is becoming less flexible. Tilt the drive all the way up and look in between the folds, if you compare an old bellows with a new one you can see and...
  8. Lou C

    Bellows adhesive or not?

    When I do the Cobra bellows I've followed the OMC shop manual and used their gasket sealer on that flange, what I have found is just like with threaded fasteners, it keeps out moisture and the last time I changed the bellows (old one was in use in salt water for 11 years) the flange looked...
  9. Lou C

    What brand starter should I get?

    Ah yeah, I'm betting there isn't a backyard boat mechanic in the land who actually wants an old school heavy Delco direct drive starter after installing one of the lightweight PMGR starters. The are a pleasure for your forearms, hands and fingers lol.
  10. Lou C

    What brand starter should I get?

    ARCO is good too. I have used their starters and alternators
  11. Lou C

    No water coming out of the exhaust on muffs

    Definitely running rich lucky you caught the crack!
  12. Lou C

    Simple winterization process / draining 4.3gl

    I mix my own....cheaper than -100 (-55 freeze protection) 50/50 mix gives you freeze protection down to -26, but can increase it to suit your climate. Does it help reduce corrosion? 1988 block and intake are original, used in salt water close to 25 years now, 6 month season, moored in the salt...
  13. Lou C

    Simple winterization process / draining 4.3gl

    Look at lower section of exhaust manifolds and engine block for cracks & rust stains and for water in the engine oil. Since I fill mine with PG AF I always verify freeze protection with a refractometer.
  14. Lou C

    Cold Starting RPM: What is normal?

    One other thing to make sure of is that the choke unloader or vacuum break as it is sometimes called is working. This is a vacuum operated linkage that pulls the choke plate open a fraction of an inch right after the engine starts to allow enough air in to keep the engine running. If this does...
  15. Lou C

    Simple winterization process / draining 4.3gl

    You know as long as that hose is full of water and your muffs are on tightly and you turn on the water before starting the engine it should be fine, I like to add the dawn because the impeller has been sitting dry all winter.
  16. Lou C

    One riser 60 degrees hotter

    I did a similar conversion on my 1988 OMC 4.3 and didn’t see that big of a difference in temps, my starboard might be 95 at idle and port like 80*. Now after running out on the water both are higher but maybe like 135 stbd and 120 port after coming off plane. After idling for a few min it’s like...
  17. Lou C

    Cold Starting RPM: What is normal?

    However there is a ton of info on Holleys everywhere. I tried one, it gave me fits so I went back to my original Quadrajet and it’s been far less trouble. Why? Well GM had to make them at least pretty good because they were OEM on millions of their cars!
  18. Lou C

    Cold Starting RPM: What is normal?

    Thinking back to when I had cars with carbs & auto chokes they all had fast idles of at least 1500 rpm. When I crank over my 4.3 cranks over from cold it will start but needs 1500 rpm to keep running.
  19. Lou C

    No water coming out of the exhaust on muffs

    Running the engine cold is bad because the oil never gets hot enough to boil off any moisture condensation or fuel dilution which often happens in cool running marine engines. Water and fuel in the oil will increase wear. Even under optimal conditions the engine runs cooler than the automotive...
  20. Lou C

    Sharing a Pre-Startup Check List > What is yours?

    If you have an I/O or inboard check the tightness of every fuel line clamp & cooling hose clamp! Especially the ones that are for the hidden hose from the transom mount to the P/S cooler behind the engine.
Top