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  1. tpenfield

    Mercruiser 7.4 MPI Idle Speed Very High

    During the prep of my twin Mercruiser 7.4 LX MPI engines (serial #'s in my sig) the starboard engine started idling very high, like in the 1200-1500 RPM range, even though the throttle was closed. A week ago, when I first started the engines after the winter lay-up it ran fine. Today, not so...
  2. tpenfield

    Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

    Stringer Grid Bonding Update: Just another update on the structural aspects of the boat. I had planned on doing a bit more bonding of the stringer grid to the cockpit sole, which basically joins the two 'halves' of the boat in more places, making it more structurally rigid. Today, as I did my...
  3. tpenfield

    Stereo Receiver Replacement Fail . . .

    Update: SOLVED . . . I did some probing around the wiring with my multi-meter and tested the Receiver for pre-amp output at the RCA jacks. Those were fine. I did find that there was a bad connection in the house wiring of the Blue/White wire. That wire is connected at a butt connector to two...
  4. tpenfield

    Mercruiser stainless risers

    The single Mercruiser blocking gasket does have a metal foil that is sandwiched in between the gasket material. . . but I find that the pressure of a closed cooling system tends to deform the thin metal layer a bit. The bigger problem seems to be deterioration of the gasket material itself...
  5. tpenfield

    Stereo Receiver Replacement Fail . . .

    Here are a couple of pictures/diagrams of the installation that I did, as best as I can tell the original OEM installation Then the new installation. . . . I did a 1-for-1 change-out on the wiring at the main connector, since the new connector was slightly different that the original...
  6. tpenfield

    Stereo Receiver Replacement Fail . . .

    After 21 years, the original stereo receiver in my Formula 330 crapped out . . . can you believe it :eek: :rolleyes: It is a Kenwood KRC-901 with a Kenwood KDC-C603 CD Changer and 2 Kenwood KAC-425 power amplifiers. I figured on staying with Kenwood for compatibility, etc. and got a new...
  7. tpenfield

    Overheating Mercruiser 7.4L MPI

    I had a similar predicament . . . $330 to pull the boat and another $330 to go back in. So, I did what I could while the boat was in the water, and it was not until the end of the season after the boat was hauled for the season that I found 'the shell' in the outdrive inlet tube. My approach is...
  8. tpenfield

    Dual Battery Setup, Starting from Scratch

    Don't let product marketing terminology confuse you . . . IMO batteries is batteries. :D A good approach would be to use the Perko battery switch with "Off-1-2-Both" positions. They sell them here on iBoats :thumb: That should take the guesswork out of wiring the batteries up, etc. . . ...
  9. tpenfield

    Riser block off - closed cooling

    I just replaced the gaskets on my 7.4L w/ closed cooling. Merc does not have the stainless steel block-off plate, as they maintain that the new gasket (with internal SS film layer) serves the purpose. Barr still sells the stainless steel plate. These are the parts I used for each manifold (2...
  10. tpenfield

    Is there a way to force New Members to fill in more Profile info?

    All too often we see new members join up, post a question or issue. . . Folks then try to help them, and often refer to their member profile for background information, like where they are located (country/state) what type of boats the have or previously owned, etc. Yet many of the new members...
  11. tpenfield

    Exhaust Manifold / Elbow Gasket Replacement

    The joint between the exhaust manifold and elbows on my Mercruisers have been showing some rust over the past couple of years. So, I had a gasket replacement on my pre-season maintenance list for this year. Today was the day to start into it. I should mention that I have twin...
  12. tpenfield

    Bravoitis Fix . . .

    Thanks for your guidance on this. :thumb: Yes, soapy water. Initially, I had been using the soap on the tube and rubber insert. Just now, I also used soap on the rubber hose itself, as it fits into a tight channel in the transom assembly. I found that I needed to get the position of the...
  13. tpenfield

    Bravoitis Fix . . .

    As far as converting to thru-hull water pick-ups . . . If I went that route (eventually), I would like to get the positioning as close to the transom as possible (maybe within a couple feet) as we often 'catch some air' when out in the bay, as per the picture below. So, I would not want to be...
  14. tpenfield

    Universal Warning Label . . .

    I got this as one of the 'extra' labels on an outboard decal kit . . . Rather than the plethora of specific warning labels, I thought it would be quite appropriate for a variety of machines and equipment . . . :D :D :D
  15. tpenfield

    Bravoitis Fix . . .

    Cutting the hose and pounding out the insert from the outside in worked great :thumb: Here are a few pix Cutting the hose to expose the insert . . . I broke the insert up with a screw driver and a bit of pounding. After a bit of persuasion the hose came out. This one is the port side, you...
  16. tpenfield

    Bravoitis Fix . . .

    As follow up to my over heating thread from last year (an issue which seems to be resolved), I did discover the beginning stages of Bravoitis on my Port outdrive. So, I planned on doing the Bravoitis fix on both drives as a preemptive measure. Fast-forward to now . . . the company that I work...
  17. tpenfield

    Got an IR Camera . . .

    I've been itching for Spring to arrive so that the temps would start going up and I could do some decent 'testing/surveying' of my boat with the IR camera. Well today was a pretty good day, cold over night and sunny in the morning to start to warm things up. I went all through my boat looking...
  18. tpenfield

    Do I need to prime outdrive prior to applying antifouling paint

    After you finish painting the outdrive, make sure to install a fresh set of aluminum anodes. You will go through them in 6 months.
  19. tpenfield

    5.7 Mercruiser convertion to CCS, stainless risers also?

    I had to Google around the Internet to find the acid flush information . . . pieces here and there, mostly on auto restoration and hotrodder sites. A member here had recommended a radiator flush product, and that led me on a search about cooling system flushing. It seems that oxalic acid (wood...
  20. tpenfield

    Pages not fully loading . . .

    The forum seems a bit broken this morning. The pages are not loading fully and therefore the editing features (formatting, attachments, etc.) do not seem to work. I have tried several browsers with the same result. (Mac OS X if that matters)
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