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  1. Lou C

    End of season maintenance checks…

    I used the one that you refill the drive from.
  2. Lou C

    Can I Tell if Water is Getting into the U-Joint Bellows?

    Unfortunately there’s no way to know if it’s going to leak. While it can be a pain that’s why pulling the drive at the end of each season helps to make everything last longer.
  3. Lou C

    A nice tip but it’s not about stern drive storage in the up position

    I just rebuilt my trim rams this spring, one started leaking a bit the year before, I was shocked how long they lasted. The BRP kits are about $50 for each cyl, if the end caps come out off easily you can leave the trim rams on the transom mount no need to disturb the hydraulic line fittings. If...
  4. Lou C

    End of season maintenance checks…

    Did a bit of maintenance checks, scoped inside of manifolds and did a pressure & vacuum test on the old Cobra drive. One manifold was totally clean the other did have some light rust probably from condensation because that side always runs a bit cooler. OD held pressure at 16 psi & vacuum at 13”...
  5. Lou C

    Did Water Get Into My Gear OIL?

    Should be dark bluish green. Not light which suggests water.
  6. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    If you get brown crud out of the ujoints that’s not normal and they’ve internally rusted and must be replaced. If they fail with the boat up on plane it could tear up the transom mount & let water in the boat. Risky & potentially dangerous. Speedy sleeve is a thin sleeve that gets installed over...
  7. Lou C

    Replacing transom foam seal

    Agreed if they’re good no reason to replace
  8. Lou C

    Trailer fit?

    The trailer fram does go to the back of the boat, if it has enough tongue weight you can shorten those bunks…
  9. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    What about the drive shaft & ujoints? Once you get it right it will be fine. I have had good luck with mine now used & moored in salt water 20+ years. Pulling the drive yearly, doing pressure & vacuum tests & changing & adjusting the shift cable when needed is what it takes to make it last….
  10. Lou C

    Replacing transom foam seal

    “Easy” and “trim hoses” doesn’t belong in the same sentence! Proper line wrenches and maybe judicious use of heat will likely be needed. If the rubber is cracked then yes have at it but if not, leave ‘em!
  11. Lou C

    Bottom paint around transom assembly

    If you want to paint that area just use the same safe for Alu paint you use on the outdrive…just use an alu safe paint stripper…be careful sanding any bottom paint they are all toxic to an extent!
  12. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Did TC rebuild the whole drive or just the lower or upper? I would contact them if it’s a recent rebuild. If you want to check it yourself here’s OMC’s specs: Pressure test, first 6 psi then 16-18 psi Vacuum test first 5”Hg then 15”Hg Yep there’s no way a high gear oil level causes shifting...
  13. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3L won't start

    That’s the part # of the intake manifold. Merc puts a plate above the starter
  14. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    Marine engine.com Been using them for years
  15. Lou C

    2002 240 Four Winns Volvo 5.7 Penta winterization process

    It's not that hard, just make sure to poke all the drain holes, due to the way cast iron corrodes, rust flakes can clog the block and manifold drains. I also like to coat the hose flanges with marine grease, this helps the hoses not get rusted on to the water pump and thermostat housing and...
  16. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    Because the tail end of the bellows is snapped into the pivot housing, it doesn't attach to the bearing carrier as the front end is clamped to the gimble housing flange, therefore the bearing carrier has to be pressed into the lip of the tail end of the bellows to keep water out. When you are...
  17. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    OK read the procedure for replacing the driveshaft, bearings and drive gear. This is like setting up a differential, not a job for someone who has no experience with drivetrain repairs. I would leave this one to a pro.
  18. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    The bearing carrier pushes into the aft end of the bellows and that has to seal. Now when you repaired it, is the shape the same as original? If not then that could cause a leak. One thing I have always done was coat that area of the bearing carrier with Evinrude triple guard grease and also the...
  19. Lou C

    Greasing the Gimbal

    I do it yearly. I grease it after I pull the drive while turning it by hand so I can check it for smooth movement.
  20. Lou C

    going to buy a used mercruiser

    What about the rest of the boat? That era of a ‘glass/wood boat will have plenty of places for rot to have developed, be very careful!
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