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  1. Lou C

    OMC water pump reliability modification.

    With the Cobra pump mounted in the upper gear housing there are only a few things that can cause low water flow & wear on the impeller: Clogged plastic water inlet screen Bad water tube gaskets Water tube has a hole rotted in it Aftermarket impeller kits sometimes don’t pump right Clogged water...
  2. Lou C

    OMC water pump reliability modification.

    Honestly after 20 years with a Cobra I’ve had very few cooling problems. Im not sure what the problem was here…..
  3. Lou C

    Why is my carb oxidizing????

    Nothing unusual, common with 1970s Fords. We had one, never self-combusted. A 1970 Torino with a 5 liter (302 cu in) V8 and an Autolite 2100 2 bbl carb.
  4. Lou C

    5.7L Non-Vortec to Vortec conversion

    Here the coldest I have run the boat is about 40*F and I think a choke is needed for reliable starts at that temp.
  5. Lou C

    Why is my carb oxidizing????

    Here's my Quadrajet used in salt water at least 20 years, boat is stored outside every winter under a canvas cover and got sprayed with salt water about 8 years ago when cooling hose popped off the P/S cooler. Something not normal is going on there.....
  6. Lou C

    Bad News from a Family Member Today

    I'm guessing if the motor isn't internally corroded they will wind up replacing all the electrical components and wiring on that motor. That and any other wiring that went under salt water. When my bilge got flooded with salt water I re-terminated the starter wiring, the wiring itself was OK...
  7. Lou C

    5.7L Non-Vortec to Vortec conversion

    Nothing wrong with a manual choke, I would actually prefer one!
  8. Lou C

    5.7L Non-Vortec to Vortec conversion

    Also you will need a Vortec intake manifold & convert the Quadrajet to an electric choke if you are still using a choke. No exhaust crossover passage in the Vortec head design.
  9. Lou C

    New Engine Replacement - Engine Died and Hydro locked after 5 hrs!?

    Well that’s good to hear because if the engine was losing ignition that alone could allow water to rush up the exhaust without the pressure of the exhaust to push it out. That leak, well I’m not sure could be a few things like the steering arm seal etc
  10. Lou C

    03 4.3 carb and manifolds

    The only other practical option is a Holley Marine 4bbl, they sell one that is specifically jetted for the 4.3 V6 but its on back order too. They do have some 4bbl Marine carbs in stock but they have generic tuning, you'd have to work with it to get it set up right. I would not do EFI in a boat...
  11. Lou C

    03 4.3 carb and manifolds

    I think Barr marine here in the USA also sells the Merc dry joint system in fact they were selling their version of the conversion kit (but this uses the wet joint style just like the Merc kit does) to get rid of the one piece manifolds uses on the 96-99 models without changing the Y pipe. I...
  12. Lou C

    carter mech fuel pump

    Just as tip when you install these, on the V8s at least there is a short bolt threaded into the block that is in line with the fuel pump pushrod. You can remove that bolt temporarily and use a longer bolt of the same thread to hold the pushrod from sliding down while you try to install the pump...
  13. Lou C

    Is Volvo Penta 3L a good engine?

    On the plus side they are very easy to take apart, like other GM marine engines, if you ever have to replace the head gasket and do a valve job. To avoid problems make sure that: The boat is propped correctly, if the engine does not reach max specified RPM it will cause very high combustion...
  14. Lou C

    Is Volvo Penta 3L a good engine?

    I’ve seen numerous cases on this and other forums where the 3.0 blew a head gasket which seemed to be detonation related. They seem to be more sensitive to too much spark advance or low octane fuel. As an aside I have always used at least 89 octane in our boat with the 4.3 and the gas docks I...
  15. Lou C

    Low Oil Pressure

    I agree that a conventional 10w/30 is not really adequate for marine inboard use. The marine engine companies themselves have said this, unless: you use full synthetic oil (Volvo recommended 10w/40 full syn) or the engine has an engine oil cooler Otherwise: 20/50, 15W40, 25/40, or straight 30 or...
  16. Lou C

    Is Volvo Penta 3L a good engine?

    Like any inboard/outboard power plant they require regular maintenance, especially making sure you don't have leaks from the water-cooled exhaust system into the cylinders, that is a major cause of trouble in inboard gas engines. The 3.0 in particular is prone to blown head gaskets, so check for...
  17. Lou C

    carter mech fuel pump

    I have 2 pumps for my 4.3 V6, one is a Sierra made in Korea and one is a Carter made in USA.
  18. Lou C

    carter mech fuel pump

    take a look at Carter's website and see if you can figure out which number the carb is, and the look on Jeg's or Summit Racing, you might be able to buy it for much less than Merc charged for the same thing.
  19. Lou C

    New Engine Replacement - Engine Died and Hydro locked after 5 hrs!?

    I am surprised that it started overheating when you installed the flapper. VPs from '98-98 had the OMC designed flappers in the Y pipe and all Cobras had them till the end of production (1986-1998) and overheating was never a problem unless one actually dislodged & blocked the exhaust. When...
  20. Lou C

    Sx outdrive water pump

    You can just blast it out with water. If they look good then clean up the mating surfaces & install new Volvo Penta gaskets. If not & you have to replace Barr Marine makes a nice aftermarket version. I have them on my old 4.3. I’d give them an extra coat of Rustolium though. The best way to...
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