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  1. Lou C

    1992 four winns OMC

    Yep if it’s a Cobra the bellows is easy as long as the drive comes off. I usually get 10 seasons out of an OEM one. You bought an old I/O, they are high maintenance machines and if neglected will make you hate boating. An old salt water mechanic I knew here on Long Island referred to them as...
  2. Lou C

    Better muffs for Alpha One drives?

    I tried several of the rectangular ones I think the rubber is just a bit too stiff, the rubber on the Merc/Quicksilver ones is softer and it seems to fit better plus the clamp allows you to get it really snug.
  3. Lou C

    Better muffs for Alpha One drives?

    these
  4. Lou C

    98 4.3 Mercruiser Engine Removal Advice

    remove the outdrive first take pictures of how everything was before you remove stuff for example brackets for the alternator and P/S pump, label which bolts went to what. label wires for sensors, etc set up a system for organizing parts, so you can keep lifters, pushrods, rocker arms organized...
  5. Lou C

    Overhauling my 1988 MerCruiser 4.3 ltr. engine

    Congrats it sounds & looks great. Comp test results can vary depending on how you do it, engine should be warmed up with throttle wide open. When I did the cyl heads on mine after the top end rebuild my comp test results were #1 160, #2 160, #3 175, #4 165, #5 160, #6 165 before I replaced the...
  6. Lou C

    Another winterization question

    Do no have to pump in af. What I’ve done for 20 years: Drain engine & manifolds & poke drain holes to make sure it drains Disconnect bottom end of large J hose at bottom of front circulating pump Disconnect raw water intake hose at thermostat housing, hold it down in the bilge to drain Then get...
  7. Lou C

    Another winterization question

    Think back a few years about what happened; unusual freezing weather & thousands of boat engines ruined! At a minimum drain the engine, manifolds & raw water intake hose. Put the drive down so it drains. No you don’t have to add AF and in fact in freshwater it might not be that necessary. Merc...
  8. Lou C

    Anti-freeze Question . . . Change of Color ???

    this is a great tool to have, measures both PG and EG antifreeze concentrations. I use it to mix my own PG antifreeze to winterize the boat, cheaper than the West Marine -100.
  9. Lou C

    Volvo AQ131D cruising speed

    Even carb choice influences fuel consumption, combined with driving habits. A 4 bbl like the Quadrajet with the small primaries and large secondaries will be as economical as a 2 bbl or even more so as long as you stay out of the secondaries. I think on mine they start to open above 4000 rpm so...
  10. Lou C

    Volvo B20 AQ130 Water in Oil

    that water was in there a LONG time, the cyls are very pitted from the pix, not sure if you can save that one. I had salt water in 2 cyls for about a week, drained the water out and changed the oil like 3x, to save it. it looked like this when I took the heads off to fix the blown head gaskets...
  11. Lou C

    Volvo AQ131D cruising speed

    The 75% of redline rpm works for most engines. I run my 4.3 V6 at 3600 rpm on plane, that works out to only about 25 mph, but fast enough given the cost of fuel. Most times due to water conditions, wind, boat traffic etc you can't really go much faster safely at least.
  12. Lou C

    Volvo Penta AQ131D getting hot

    I think 200* is still too hot. Did you do the clear hose test? If the engine has a heat exchanger it should run between 160-180*; if raw water cooled about 160 at most. If it has a heat exchanger as many of these do it may need to be cleaned out. I think that hose connector on the outdrive may...
  13. Lou C

    Anti-freeze Question . . . Change of Color ???

    might want to catch a sample and test it with an antifreeze refractometer, that will tell you for sure...
  14. Lou C

    Replacement Oil Filters

    remember that the 4.3's filter mount is smaller than the 5.0/5.7. So your typical Chevrolet small block filters won't fit. the gasket OD on the 4.3 filter is 2.73" (69 mm) whereas the 5.0/5.7 one is 3.44" (87 mm). So if your engine has the filter on the block, search up the Wix catalog and get a...
  15. Lou C

    Dealing with bogging for too long and need help because I've done just about everything!

    I have heard many stories of this EFI system acting up & being difficult to repair. When our cars had carbs they didn’t run as well as EFI esp after a cold start but they were repair-able! With old boats & GM marine engines I prefer carbs, less failure points with respect to wiring and much...
  16. Lou C

    Water in the intake

    If you have the Vortec it’s like 13-15 ft lbs the pre Vortec like mine is 30-35. Sorry looks like you gotta do it again
  17. Lou C

    SAFETY ALERT: Bow Seating Hazard (Malibu)

    Some of those wakeboard/ski boats have a very low bow design that is just not good at all for rough water. Compare that with an off shore style Center Console or even a DC. Personally, I'd rather have a closed bow with a way of getting up to the front of the boat for trailering/mooring. Flip...
  18. Lou C

    Quit My Job . . .

    Yep that's exactly it. this job fills the bill for that well... enough for mental stimulation and some extra $$$ for boating and Jeep projects lol.
  19. Lou C

    Replacement Oil Filters

    the 4.3s use a smaller diameter filter than the 5.0/5.7s you could use a Sierra marine filter or an auto application for that engine like a Purolator or Wix... The Merc and Sierra filters have gotten much smaller over the years, they are easier to install in a tight installation but not sure if...
  20. Lou C

    Quit My Job . . .

    Same here…retired 6 years ago…. Then got a nice offer for a 2 day a week job only 4 hrs per day. The pay is good enough to make it worth my while…
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