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  1. Lou C

    winterizing merc?

    That’s what Merc says to do in their shop manual! Draining is most important but adding corrosion protection over the long haul is a great idea I’ve done it for close to 20 years
  2. Lou C

    Strange noise Mercruiser 4.3 VIDEO

    that is the nature of these things. I had an occasional noisy exhaust flapper that drove me nuts till I figured out what it was, sounded like an engine knock. Found it with my mechanic's stethescope. Happened because I changed the style of exhaust system from the old OMC one piece V6 units to...
  3. Lou C

    1987 5.7 omc outdrive

    youre welcome just make sure to really check things....maybe get an OMC shop manual if you can find one that will help a lot.
  4. Lou C

    1987 5.7 omc outdrive

    So the lowers are the same the gear ratio changes are done in the upper unit.
  5. Lou C

    1987 5.7 omc outdrive

    There are differences in that the older 4 cyl ones had a smaller lower unit the first few years but at some point they all started using the V6/V8 large gearcase lower unit. Might be from 1990 & up you have to check
  6. Lou C

    Strange noise Mercruiser 4.3 VIDEO

    Other thing you can do is just briefly remove the serpentine belt and run the engine (but really brief so you don’t overheat). If the noise is gone it could be the bearing on one of the accessories like the front water pump, alternator or P/s pump. Also check idler and tensioner pulleys. All...
  7. Lou C

    Strange noise Mercruiser 4.3 VIDEO

    Sounds like a vacuum leak check all vacuum hoses hooked up to the carb, make sure bolts holding carb to manifold are not loose.
  8. Lou C

    Internal Coolant Flush and Winterizing VP 4.3 GXI-BF

    Yep muc can teach us things we would never be able to learn thanks for all the help!
  9. Lou C

    302 valve seal and gasket replacement

    You need a FoMoCo shop manual then. I had one for my 1970 Torino which had the 302 but that stuff is long gone.
  10. Lou C

    Internal Coolant Flush and Winterizing VP 4.3 GXI-BF

    Sorry some of us are not fluent in V/Ps arcane and nonsensical model letters/numbers. But now that you posted it.... https://www.volvopentastore.com/Cylinder-Block-And-Flywheel-Housing/dm/cart_id.974038732--session_id.592410868--store_id.366--view_id.767692 Just as I said above, a drain plug...
  11. Lou C

    302 valve seal and gasket replacement

    Distributor in front? Then its a Ford 302.
  12. Lou C

    Channel Lock Stuck In Distributor?

    post up a pic, I'd think about using a very small screwdriver, or a pick.
  13. Lou C

    302 valve seal and gasket replacement

    5 liter Ford is 302 cu in 5 liter Chevrolet is 305 cu in.....except of course the original Z/28 which was 302 cu in but that will never show up in a boat! So which is it? I don't believe the standard valve train on the 5.0 Ford was adjustable in the same way the older Chevrolets were.
  14. Lou C

    302 valve seal and gasket replacement

    First of all is this a 5 liter Ford, or Chevrolet they are totally different animals. The older Chevrolets have an adjustable valve train that has to be set right or the valves won't open far enough or close completely either way it will cause problems. There is a 2 step procedure in the shop...
  15. Lou C

    Internal Coolant Flush and Winterizing VP 4.3 GXI-BF

    Yep it’s hard to give advice when we don’t know exactly what you have. However if it’s the older cast iron version there are 2 plugs on either side of the block, low down not easy to see depends on boat installation. If you do wind up draining the AF remember what I said about bleeding out the...
  16. Lou C

    Second Happiest Day . . .

    Once you start looking at the price of parts for late model inboard engines you realize the inexpensive inboard alternative does not exist for new boats. Once they price themselves up with outboard parts, why put up with their inherent drawbacks?
  17. Lou C

    Internal Coolant Flush and Winterizing VP 4.3 GXI-BF

    ALL GM marine engines have block drains, they are simply adapted auto engines. You just have to look for them....on the starboard side, between the starter and engine mount, same place on the port side. Even with a closed cooling system when it comes time to change the antifreeze, there would be...
  18. Lou C

    Internal Coolant Flush and Winterizing VP 4.3 GXI-BF

    With this job it’s not the draining that’s tricky it’s the refilling & bleeding all the air out. I’d pick up a Lisle radiator funnel kit that makes it much easier to bleed the cooling system. You’ll prob have to run the engine at fast idle 20 min to a half hr to make sure the thermostat opens...
  19. Lou C

    Compression test results 4.3L V6 2005 what do You think?

    Lol this depends on age and orthopedic difficulty if you’re old enough for Medicare use the bolts! the V6 manifolds aren’t that bad the V8 ones are probably 45 lbs each. V6 manifold gaskets are not slotted but you could just cut a slot.
  20. Lou C

    Compression test results 4.3L V6 2005 what do You think?

    Well you’ll need: A pair of manifold to cyl head gaskets (regular automotive Chevy 4.3 ones are fine) Merc OE manifold to elbow gaskets Razor scraper to scrape off old gaskets Mill bastard file to clean up sealing surfaces if reusing the manifolds & elbows. Now if you’re in freshwater you may be...
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