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  1. Lou C

    Penta 4.3 Overheating

    you want your temp to look like this....
  2. Lou C

    Penta 4.3 Overheating

    If your impeller was shredded the bits probably are in the thermostat housing, because that's the next place along the water flow route. You'll have to pull the housing (get a new gasket), dig out the rubber ring that holds the stat in the housing, test the stat in a pot of hot water (should...
  3. Lou C

    If you need to replace your Cobra power steering actuator here are a few tips…

    Finished up today, bled the air out, just kept running it stopping every couple of min to check the fluid level, took about 15-20 min of running to get it all out, stopped when the level in the reservoir stabilized. This is one job I really hope to only have to do ONCE!
  4. Lou C

    Antifreeze circulation through engine

    PS west marine -100 has corrosion inhibitors Sierra PG antifreeze is good enough to use as a coolant. Probably the best of all, for corrosion protection. It is not easy to find though.
  5. Lou C

    Antifreeze circulation through engine

    1) freezing water ONLY causes damage when it can't expand, so if there is a little water left there will be no harm done. 2) If you read Mercruiser's shop manual they say to: a)drain to prevent freeze damage b)back fill with AF to reduce corrosion if you drain the AF out, after doing step b you...
  6. Lou C

    What are these holes?

    Correct and if you DON’T see water coming out rod em out with a thin wire
  7. Lou C

    OMC 5.7 Questions

    I would tell you to avoid ANY old boat with a I/O power train they are very high maintenance regardless of whether it’s Merc, Volvo or OMC. You’re best off buying newer and 4 stroke outboard powered. For the record I have had beyond excellent service from my 1988 OMC 4.3 Cobra. The first couple...
  8. Lou C

    If you need to replace your Cobra power steering actuator here are a few tips…

    Got the new unit in today made sure to grease all the cotter pins if I ever have to remove it in the future.
  9. Lou C

    Quick Fuel 600 Carb, excessive accelerator pump arm lever play?

    That never made sense to me because the Holley branded marine carbs all have the nipple on the air horn for the pump overflow hose…. I actually prefer the Quadrajet it’s a more efficient carb than either the Holley or Edelbrock
  10. Lou C

    Antifreeze circulation through engine

    It does not matter, at all if it’s closed. To fill the engine after manual drain you simply disconnect the top end of the big hose at the thermostat housing and put a funnel in it. Then fill the engine via that hose till the AF spurts out the neck of the stat housing. Engine is full; reconnect...
  11. Lou C

    Second Happiest Day . . .

    I found this was true with aftermarket seats. Wise seats used to be good quality, but they started using thinner vinyl and staples that rust like crazy.
  12. Lou C

    Antifreeze circulation through engine

    Merc says that they want you to leave it in; that’s the only way it can fulfill its intended purpose (corrosion protection). They say you drain to prevent freeze damage and add AF (& leave it IN) to reduce corrosion. Putting in AF and draining it is just a waste of money! Merc says to replace...
  13. Lou C

    MerCruiser 8.2 big block 2014 — shuts off after 5-7 min of running

    If you can run it on the battery that does accept a charge, and see if it does not cut out then. When it dies have you seen the voltmeter dropping?
  14. Lou C

    Any concern using a boat in saltwater that has always been in freshwater?

    Having boated in salt water nearly 20 years I can say I think you're worrying about nothing. Flush it when you can, use the right anodes, etc. Almost all the boats in my harbor, sit on moorings and none get flushed ALL SEASON. Most are older boats, some have been repowered, but year after year...
  15. Lou C

    Loud, intermittent "knock" when at cruising speed

    https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=778&p=10868&hilit=gas+tank+mounts#p10868 here's what I could find. Could be this or something else moving. Do you have the battery boxes with that strap that always gets loose? I wonder if so one might be banging against something. I hated...
  16. Lou C

    Loud, intermittent "knock" when at cruising speed

    One single loud knock suggests that something is moving around. I recall some time back hearing about loose fuel tanks on these models making noise. With the plastic tanks they use a metal tab that is screwed into the stringer and presses on the tank to hold it. Might want to check that out, I...
  17. Lou C

    new surge brakes installed

    maybe post up a pic, there is a difference in the orifice size from drum brakes to disc, disc requires a larger orifice size to allow the fluid to flow back to the master to release the brakes. This is because disc brakes only have the square seal in the caliper to release the brakes while drum...
  18. Lou C

    Quick Fuel 600 Carb, excessive accelerator pump arm lever play?

    I don't think Holley's quality control is particularly good. I had a problem with a brand new 4160 that I eventually traced to loose clutch bolts on the secondary metering plate.
  19. Lou C

    If you need to replace your Cobra power steering actuator here are a few tips…

    Yep its is not an easy job, mainly because of the fact that the big cotter pins fit very tightly. I think on a lot of modern boats you'd have to pull the engine. After looking it over it appears that the leak was from the actuator valve not the power piston, because there is an oily mix of...
  20. Lou C

    changing exhaust flappers on land or sea

    I would not if you’re in a location with any boat traffic or wind. What will you do if water starts flooding into the boat? The bilge pump should take care of it but that’s like having two 3” holes in the hull, a lot of water could come in!
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