Search results

  1. Lou C

    Mercruiser 233 Overheating--Out of Ideas

    Ahh good catch. This is why the clear hose test is so important.
  2. Lou C

    Mercruiser 233 Overheating--Out of Ideas

    Yep been there done that. Catch it quick before more damage is done. Get a set of Fel Pro marine head gaskets & ARP cyl head bolts & get your heads checked for cracks. If too far gone just buy a reman set; just match up casting numbers.
  3. Lou C

    Rusted spark plug well/mating surface - is this a concern?

    Looks like the rust is from the body of the spark plug maybe they weren’t marine grade. I would replace the plugs then spray the area with a corrosion dissolver like Kroil then spray with carb cleaner & compressed air. Less risk that way.
  4. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    If I actually get this done I’ll post up pix
  5. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    In order to get at the drains on the block & oil filter the seats have to come out. I modified the rear seats to make it easier than it was but as I’ve gotten older they seem to have gained weight 😉 So I have some ideas to make it easier & less time consuming….
  6. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    I’m going to stick with the drain & back fill routine but I’m working on a way of making it possible to drain the engine, change the oil & spark plugs without having to pull out the rear seats. Kind of a modified easy drain system but that can be rodded out with a coat hanger wire…
  7. Lou C

    Converting to carburetor from mpi 350 mag

    Yep this is great info for people with older boats running into NLA parts issues. It is very fortunate that you can utilize simple tech to keep an otherwise good boat still going!
  8. Lou C

    Growling noise when steering.

    Check for leaks all the way in the back of the engine compartment where the steering actuator lives….it’s probably leaking…and note to self don’t hold the wheel against the stops either way because that causes PS pressures to rise to the point that it can cause leaks…
  9. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    I agree with testing the AF that comes out of the block drains if you don’t drain first. Risky otherwise. First year I tried it that way & what came out looked like rusty water so drained it all again. Ever since drain goes then back fill with AF….
  10. Lou C

    Battery discharge. ...normal?

    Good point, if you use a meter to measure draw it would be interesting to see what it is, with the switch off, then if it is elevated, pull the fuse for the bilge pump first. If it drops to a normal level you found your culprit.
  11. Lou C

    Seaswirl 201 bowrider 1995

    https://www.crowleymarine.com/johnson-evinrude/parts/53942.cfm hope its something simple because most of the EFI and ignition parts for these are NLA. Ironically the parts for the older carbed models can still be found (carb kits, fuel pumps, ignition points sets, etc). Since these were built...
  12. Lou C

    Happiest Day of Ownership !!!

    There are many neighborhoods here on Long Island like this both on the North Shore and on the South Shore. Interestingly if you visit Jones Beach Island or Fire Island many houses have been raised up as a result of Superstorm Sandy. It’s a great boating area with many places to visit & if...
  13. Lou C

    Battery discharge. ...normal?

    If you hook up a multimeter with that harness I posted and remove fuses one at a time....when you find the one here the draw drops down to like 30-50 milliamps then you have found the module thats staying on. Basically a simple process you can do it yourself....
  14. Lou C

    Happiest Day of Ownership !!!

    That's beautiful Bruce, is that freshwater as well? We have a part of our neighborhood that is just the same, houses about 5-10 ft above sea level (mean high tide) with docks.... however, during Sandy...some of the people who lived at that elevation...wished they hadn't.....because when the...
  15. Lou C

    1983 OMC 5.7, I need help with the trim and tilt wires.

    look for the neutral safety switch on the throttle control
  16. Lou C

    1983 OMC 5.7, I need help with the trim and tilt wires.

    In the OMC wiring harness the tilt n trim works off of the battery, not the ignition, and the pair of yellow wires may be for the neutral safety switch, so the power to the start circuit (yellow/red wire) won't travel to the starter unless the gear shift is in neutral.
  17. Lou C

    Battery discharge. ...normal?

    I agree with this point, in a boat that doesn't run all the time a dual purpose battery may be better, but even so, a starting battery should not be drained in one week. Imagine you buy a new car, the car has even more electronic modules than a boat does, and the battery goes dead after one...
  18. Lou C

    Battery discharge. ...normal?

    Yeah but this is happening after 1 week! Not normal!
  19. Lou C

    Battery discharge. ...normal?

    The way I look at it is if they are fully charged when I put the boat away in Nov, if one is dead in April it was due to be replaced anyway. Usually after that length of time storage they are 75-80% charged still. Keeping a battery that has no loads on it on a maintainer can actually mask a weak...
  20. Lou C

    Battery discharge. ...normal?

    If you use that parasitic draw tester I posted up you’ll see the draw when you shut off the ignition gradually drop as the modules go to sleep. Regal must have a spec for what’s an acceptable draw. If it is staying high then something is wrong. These are simple tests to do that will help track...
Top