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  1. Lou C

    How Far Can an Electric Truck Tow?

    I do like the original ZJ series (1993-1998), they always reminded me of old school American cars that I grew up with but now they are really getting old, hard to find a good one, and some parts you really have to search for. Funny thing about the seats, I thought the seats in the 07 were too...
  2. Lou C

    Thinking of upgrading to Sea Ray 210BR

    well, you can always get an estimate from a shop to do that part of it. I did the construction work and had the 'glass shop finish it off because I knew I could never make it look as good as they could.
  3. Lou C

    Thinking of upgrading to Sea Ray 210BR

    Well, 2 covers can be worse than one. Because moisture that gets trapped, never evaporates. I say, rip the carpet out, inspect the deck, replace if its getting soft, if not, sand, coat with resin and then gelcoat the whole thing in non-skid gelcoat, throw that carpet in the trash heap where it...
  4. Lou C

    Thinking of upgrading to Sea Ray 210BR

    Normally that area under the plywood in between the stringers is filled with foam so it would be unusual for the ply to flex like that. Before I filled the cavities in my boat with foam I test fitted the deck panels and you could feel a bit of flex when walking the panels but not much. The hatch...
  5. Lou C

    Thinking of upgrading to Sea Ray 210BR

    Carpet over a plywood cored deck is always suspect. After having done one deck replacement I’d never buy another boat built like that. You wouldn’t know for sure without ripping up the carpet. Unless the boat was used & stored in a dry arid climate even just moisture in the air gets absorbed...
  6. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 Vortec running hot on one side

    Yes check the passages in the thermostat housing that the hoses feeding the manifolds connect to. You make also need a better water supply hose; I use a 3/4” or 19mm when running mine on the hose.
  7. Lou C

    4.3 Mercruiser 94 vs 98 interchangeability

    The Vortec heads are supposed to give you approx 25 more hp. When I replaced the heads on mine (first time for me taking apart an engine) I would have liked to go with Vortec heads but wasn’t sure there wouldn’t be complications with the valve train etc; since there are also other differences...
  8. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 Vortec running hot on one side

    One last thing I’d check the passages in the thermostat housing; in a raw water cooled cast iron motor (especially if you run in salt water) those passages can neck down from corrosion. I have 2 OMC/Volvo thermostat housings that I alternate use of and just use a coat hanger wire to rod them out...
  9. Lou C

    How Far Can an Electric Truck Tow?

  10. Lou C

    How Far Can an Electric Truck Tow?

    Same, I have a 2007 Jeep with 117,000 on it and a 1998 Jeep with 180,000 on it, I only drive 3-4K a year now. Semi retired. While I'd like a newer vehicle I don't "need" one yet.
  11. Lou C

    Merc 4.3 Quench Distance

    Open or raw water cooling is not pressurized therefore the water in hotter parts of the system like right behind the exhaust valves can start boiling at around 200*F. Usually the overheat alarms are set to go off at about that temp. A closed system with 50/50 water/antifreeze & a 15 lb pressure...
  12. Lou C

    Merc 4.3 Quench Distance

    You have the 140 stat in a raw water cooled motor because: If in salt water when temps get above 160 or so calcium can drop out of suspension and coat cooling pasages Raw water cooling is not pressurized like closed cooling so you can have localized boiling in hotter parts of the system like the...
  13. Lou C

    trim sensor replacement

    I think the Volvo one was modified a few times that may be why you see different parts numbers depending on the year.
  14. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 carb weep

    The only fittings I used gasket sealer on are the metal drain plugs for the engine block & exhaust manifolds. I have used Evinrude gasket sealer and Permatex Aviation for this. When I still had those old OMC one piece exhaust manifolds the drain on the starboard side was right above the...
  15. Lou C

    Should I install Fuel/Water Separator?

    Came standard on my 1988 OMC.
  16. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 Vortec Backfire and no start

    OK did either one of you ever get fooled setting timing with that thing when the dial got turned off of zero (and you didn't notice lol). I'm looking at it and what the heck changed the timing while it sat over the winter....happened to me twice! Now I remember to make sure the dang pointer is...
  17. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 carb weep

    Just remember my trick, if you are installing a carb, set it down in place on the manifold before tightening the carb bolts, just thread them on loosely and then, thread the fuel line fitting on, by hand. Then tighten with a wrench then bolt the carb down. Been doing it this way since the...
  18. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 Vortec Backfire and no start

    Great glad to hear it. Now just get yourself a timing light and next time do it yourself! My old 4.3 still has the ancient (but reliable) Prestolite points distributor so I check dwell, timing & idle speed every spring. Points get replaced when they are pitted or it starts running rough. 63 on...
  19. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 carb weep

    Interesting, I replaced the mechanical fuel pump, rebuilt the carb a couple of times, replaced the steering actuator, all with flare fittings never used sealer, and never had a leak! Here's a tip, when replacing/installing a carb, or fuel pump, thread the retaining nut on before tightening the...
  20. Lou C

    Should I install Fuel/Water Separator?

    Agreed the Merc standard unit is the best for what you have & gives you a wide range of filters you could use from the standard ones to a Racor with the metal bowl. If in a humid environment and forced to use E10 gas it’s pretty much necessary to avoid fuel system problems.
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