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  1. Lou C

    1993 Bayliner Mercruiser 4.3 Starts and Dies after letting go of ignition switch. Need Wiring Diagram

    There is the B terminal (red wire) the I terminal (purple wire) and S terminal (yellow/red wire). Make sure that the I terminal has battery voltage when you turn the ignition on, and then continues to when you turn to start. If not the switch may be bad.
  2. Lou C

    Antifreez

    I’d at least drain it. 27 degrees for more than 2-3 hrs might freeze what’s in the block & manifolds
  3. Lou C

    Oil Change and Gear Oil Change issue . Can you help ?

    correct, those instructions I posted are for the 1986-1993 original Cobra. The 94 and up Cobras are the same as a Volvo SX as I said, I have done it this way 20 times over 20 years and never had a problem!
  4. Lou C

    Antifreez

    It's all a question of what it is designed to do. The -50 and -60 antifreezes are designed to be used in a narrow range of temps, like 32*F down to maybe 15*, this is not for extreme winter temps. If your temps get to zero that's a gamble not worth taking IF any water was still in the block. The...
  5. Lou C

    Slightly warm trailer hub

    I've been doing it that way for years....I bought an axle from them in 2004 then replaced that one with another from them in 2021. Definitely add an IR temp gun to your towing equipment, it is very handy to check bearings, brake and tire temps.
  6. Lou C

    Antifreez

    Yep I tested that stuff (-50 or -60) and it gets hard @ zero degrees F. I don't think it belongs in a cast iron engine. Also West Marine has a chart to tell you what temps you can use them, if it gets colder than 20*F I wouldn't use either of those, only the -100. I have used -100 or I mix up...
  7. Lou C

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    But it's cheap and relatively strong Cheap is the operative word Wood/Glass boats can last a long time, they have to use proper construction techniques, of sealing up everything and all the penetrations to mount seats, etc. And NOT gluing carpet on the plywood/'glass deck, which just traps...
  8. Lou C

    Trailer wiring…how to improve grounding…

  9. Lou C

    Trailer wiring…how to improve grounding…

    This is in response to the thread about testing trailer wiring where the debate was whether separate ground wires were necessary or not. Grounds are a common problem and here’s how I solved it on my trailer…run ground wires tying together all parts of the trailer so that corrosion in a bolted...
  10. Lou C

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    If you are looking to restoring an I/O boat & want to repower it with a Chevy small block from a car there are certain things that must be marine specific: Head gaskets & freeze plugs Distributor starter alternator & carb all must be marine specific units Wood in the structure is a given in any...
  11. Lou C

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    It really depends on your comfort level, and if you'd buy a nearly new boat, the modern OB is fine...however for me having grown up literally with Chevrolet small blocks in our everyday cars 50 years ago, they are like second nature to me. But if you're asking me for advice, well just because of...
  12. Lou C

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    I think pulling an inboard boat engine is easier than most if not all auto engines. You pull the drive and disconnect the wiring harnesses & linkages & fuel lines. You have 2 nuts on the rear engine mounts & 2 lag screws on each front engine mount. That’s it…
  13. Lou C

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    That’s been my same experience. My boat needed a lot of rot repair (due to sub par construction techniques and poor storage) but the mechanicals were pretty long lived. Only major job I had to do was replacing cyl heads from a past overheat. Even that was pretty easy and didn’t cost much. And...
  14. Lou C

    Put 'er up for the Winter

    I haven’t removed that p/s cooler plug in years….I put the drive down and fill that water intake hose till the AF comes out the drive water intakes. Never had a problem that way. I guess you could use a small wet/dry vac to blow it out first.
  15. Lou C

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Quotes from a few mechanics I know here in salt water land (Long Island NY) I/O= double trouble The only thing worse that one I/O, is two I/Os! What do you expect…that engine was meant to be in a Chevrolet! You can have an in (board) or an out (board) but never an in/out!
  16. Lou C

    Put 'er up for the Winter

    Yep winterized mine on Wed. As it turns out had a run of warm weather here in Long Island but I’d rather winterize on a 65 degree day than on a 40 degree day! Fogged. Drained manually & back filled with Sierra PG antifreeze. Next week I’ll pull the drive to check the bellows etc grease joints...
  17. Lou C

    Oil Change and Gear Oil Change issue . Can you help ?

    Exactly you must do it as described in the link I posted above. Nothing complicated about this I’ve been doing it that way 20 years never had a problem.
  18. Lou C

    Oil Change and Gear Oil Change issue . Can you help ?

    Straight means a single weight oil. You can use any of these choices but the one that is specifically blended for marine engines is the Mercruiser or Quicksilver 25/40. When you filled the drives did you get at least 2 qts of gear oil in? Recheck the level with the dipstick in the top cover. If...
  19. Lou C

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Yes they are. Yep unless you’re very familiar with Chevy small blocks… And don’t mind working with lousy engine access in sone cases… Stick with alu boats & outboards…this is from 20 years owning a ‘glass I/O boat…
  20. Lou C

    Leaf springs replacement

    Yep the rust sneaking out behind the paint doesn't look good.
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