Search results

  1. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    If the OP wants to do a 4.3, the way I'd do it is go with a 96 and newer Vortec, with a 4bbl carb for sure. That will give approx 225 hp, maybe a little more with an Edelbrock intake. However, if the boat is heavy for its size like mine is, the 5.7 is easy to justify, the cost is about the same...
  2. Lou C

    Fuel treatment question.....

    With EFI engines because there isn't a float bowl like in carbed engines, I think they may be less sensitive to fuel storage issues. When we fired up my brother's 2020 Merc 4.5 last spring it just started like any other warm day. We didn't even run it on the fogging mix, just ran out of time the...
  3. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    The more room you have the less your body gets bent lol
  4. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    this was pretty easy on my boat..... this, was not, only way those large cotter pins were coming out, was with a special cotter pin extractor and some colorful language lol. cotter pins can be seen in this pic they are there to make sure the mounting bolts don't back off. OMC/Volvo used...
  5. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    With fuel filters I have noticed sometimes what happens is the base (aluminum) sometimes gets a bit of oxidation on it making the filter harder to remove. I just coat the base, and the rubber gasket with motor oil & never had trouble getting one off.
  6. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    Just compare the ratios used in each engine. There was a list of these floating around a while back….
  7. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Those new style Merc filters are totally different than the old standard canister filters. Not sure if they are more or less prone to get stuck on. At least Merc sells a handy tool to get it off….
  8. Lou C

    Swapped Thunderbolt IV for Delco EST

    Yep that job is easier to do if you have the valve cover on the port side off so you can watch the valves...Both valves closed and the rotor in the distributor pointing to #1 terminal....
  9. Lou C

    2002 Cobalt 240 OEM swim deck

    Maybe contact Cobalt and see if they keep information on older boats, was it made in house or did they source it from outside...
  10. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Yep that is true, if I were going to stay with an I/O I would look at bigger boats with a single engine, wide open engine compartment. However as I get older the drift to outboards seems stronger and stronger, once you get past the inital price gouging that is lol.
  11. Lou C

    Volvo 300 CR V8 fuel pump problem

    Might want to take a look at the anti-siphon valve on the gas tank. On older boats they can get corrded internally and then the ball sticks and restricts fuel flow.
  12. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Well that's good to hear Ted I have to say the new Merc 4.5 V6 in my brother's boat runs great. If you didn't look you would never know it is really just a very refined version of the old GM 90* V6, and not a V8. However his is raw water cooled, so I guess we'll see what happens in about 6 years...
  13. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Here's an old pic with everything taken out..... Later pic with everything in place One seat removed, access panel on a take apart hinge opens like a door. I thought of this about 15 years ago when I just couldn't keep moving that really heavy bench seat out of the way with the heavy wood...
  14. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    At least they provide an access panel! That actually doesn’t look bad to work on. The only things that might be challenging are the starter & steering actuator. But this is a nearly new boat so those may not need repair for years… On my old F/W I reconfigured the rear of the boat to make the...
  15. Lou C

    Fuel treatment question.....

    I've never run mine dry either and 20 years, never had a problem. The only time that is needed is if you anticipate not using it for more than a year. Then, it would make sense run the carb out of gas and drain the tank. Stabil says their fuel treatment makes fuel last 2 years and I haven't run...
  16. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    I was shocked when I weighed my '88 Four Winns. On the trailer it was 5050 lbs, the trailer is about 850. That's 4200 lbs for a 20'9" long boat. With a deep vee hull design and a 21* deadrise it does cut through the chop we always seem have here.
  17. Lou C

    1993 OMC 5.8 EFI and drive system conversion to Volvo Penta

    It depends on what shifting difficulty you are having....not going into gear....popping out of gear....or not coming out of gear. The last is the most common problem. To start, the adjustment process begins with the drive off. You check the shift rod height against factory specs, and make sure...
  18. Lou C

    At wits end Runs great for 20miles then knocking then sputtering 3.0

    Even though the carb was a reman from National Carbs I think you might need to go through it (clean, and check all the settings & adjustments). Check to see if the needle valve holds pressure. With carb off the engine, drain the fuel out of it. Then turn it over and see if you can blow through...
  19. Lou C

    1993 OMC 5.8 EFI and drive system conversion to Volvo Penta

    This has been done, and V/P also used that same 5.8 Ford engine on the early years of the SX model. If the shift cable is in good shape (low drag) and adjusted properly, the drive lower unit is in good shape (gears and clutch dog as well as shifter mechanism inside) the original Cobra with dog...
  20. Lou C

    Location of freeze plugs on 3.8 Liter V6 Inboard / OMC sterndrive

    If its still the original OMC engine what you'll see are brass fittings screwed into the block and a drain plug with a T shape at the end of it screwed into that. On the older engines that originally came with the large Delco direct drive style starter, they may have a 90* fitting to clear the...
Top