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  1. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

  2. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

    If you go over to: www.ifourwinns.com There are a few discussions of that all in one dash panel and some of the problems & solutions. Some replaced the whole thing with a custom panel with separate gauges. In my boat the 36 year old Medallion gauges all still work!
  3. Lou C

    How often to replace points ignition?

    I think the last time I changed mine was in 2016 lol. That was the start of the rough running that turned out to be the water in a cyl/blown head gaskets deal that led to the top end overhaul.
  4. Lou C

    How often to replace points ignition?

    I look to see if they are getting really burned if so I run a point file thru them clean with alcohol on a q tip & set timing & dwell. Then check idle speed. If it starts idles & picks up rpm well I keep using them. Only had a bad condenser once.
  5. Lou C

    De-winterize VP 8.1 Gi-J help please

    I have the same brass plugs in mine for years, and yes I use OMC gasket sealer or Permatex Aviation, never had a problem with seizing up.
  6. Lou C

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    Yep kinda like that. Pricey but less grief
  7. Lou C

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    It’s a business arrangement like leasing a boat. You pay X amount a year and can use several boats of a certain size each week. You pay membership & gas and they do the maintenance etc. It can be a good deal like car leasing is sometimes but it’s expensive. Good for people with $$ who want to go...
  8. Lou C

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    sorry to see that you're still dealing with this, that's why I will not ever do another. You have to be really careful with the personal protection equipment. Next boat will be near new. That, or I'm joining the Freedom Boat Club.
  9. Lou C

    This is one reason you lower the out drive...

    Mine actually works, I found that the Sierra trim sending units for the Cobra last longer than the OEM ones, that lasted about 2 seasons in salt water. However, the trim gauge is of limited value in terms of knowing how far down or up the outdrive is. I found counting down from full up or full...
  10. Lou C

    How often to replace points ignition?

    Every year definitely not needed I have had a points Prestolite distributor for 20 years and change them when the face of the points show burning. Like every 5 seasons.
  11. Lou C

    Time for Riser & Manifold > VP or Barr?

    If your rubber hoses are cracking I’d replace them if not, you can keep using them. The headless bolt trick works great for installing manifolds.
  12. Lou C

    Restoring a trailer vs replacing a trailer

    Four Winns said my boat weighed about 2800 lbs. Well I weighed it after I upgraded the axle: 4650 on the axle 420 on the tongue total about 5050 lbs weighed trailer with boat in the water trailer is 850 So boat is about 4200 lbs So much for manufacturer's estimates. When we redid the deck and...
  13. Lou C

    This is one reason you lower the out drive...

    When I have a shallow mooring spot and have to keep the drive up, my habit has been to tap the trim down about 6 secs to lower it about 1/2 down. Here's a tip for old tech guys with old tech boats: Time how long it takes your drive to go from full up to full down. Mine takes 12 Mississippis...
  14. Lou C

    Restoring a trailer vs replacing a trailer

    I did something similar to my old Load Rite which I call the "Franken-Trailer" Way to short for my boat. New trailer the right size is about the same price as a nice long block. So what I did was go through the Load Rite factory catalog. Installed a much longer tongue, and longer roller bars and...
  15. Lou C

    Time for Riser & Manifold > VP or Barr?

    Agreed I’d at least replace the elbows. You can test the manifolds off the engine on a bench by filling with Acetone (careful, flammable) and see if any wet spots appear at the exhaust ports that mate up to the cyl head. If you see a lot of flaking in the water passages in the manifolds probable...
  16. Lou C

    Failed exhaust flappers

    There is a grommet that holds the pin in place maybe that melted from an overheat or just rotted out. I’d just keep using the OEM style ones. I’ve never had a water up the exhaust problem with mine using 2 different exhaust styles (OEM batwings & then the later 2 piece style).
  17. Lou C

    88 OMC 4.3L V6 - Sitting for about 10 Months - Question

    Those are the best muffs I have found….
  18. Lou C

    88 OMC 4.3L V6 - Sitting for about 10 Months - Question

  19. Lou C

    Been an interesting start to the boating season!

    Titanic
  20. Lou C

    Lower Unit Gear Oil Change while on lift

    Better to do it all at once, in a place where you have everything you need. I am lucky I have a local ramp and can pull the boat by myself.
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