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  1. Lou C

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

    Just had to do this on my 1988 4.3 Cobra, it was the original unit so I can’t complain too much. A small leak turned into a big one dumping p/s fluid in the bilge. I was able to pick up a good condition used one and NOS actuator and hydraulic cylinder. There are 2 issues with this job: Access...
  2. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I would not do a junkyard engine but that's just me. I want it taken apart, everything measured, and put together by a machinist. If you put this together yourself and do something wrong, imagine how mad your wife will be. I'm not saying that you can't find a good junkyard engine but I think if...
  3. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Keep in mind any late to mid 80s boat, yes even in freshwater can have a lot of rot in the structure depending on how it was stored. I would not advise anyone to buy a boat that old. If you think engine repairs are epensive, well wood/composite fiberglass repairs are a lot worse, more time...
  4. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    A few things…as far as propping I would always rather be on the upper end or even as high as 5,000 because that allows for heavier loads or rough water conditions that force you to run bow up to keep the boat from getting swamped; or for water sports. In the long run as long as you don’t exceed...
  5. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I use a 15.5x15 prop on my 4.3 OMC Cobra which has a 1.60:1 drive ratio in a boat (200 Horizon) that’s a bit longer and heavier than the 195 the OP has and it performs quite well. Will definitely pull 4900-5,000 WOT. when I got the boat years ago it had the wrong prop for sure (14.5x19) I went...
  6. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    S10 was the mid sized Chevy and GMC pick ups that used the 4.3 extensively.
  7. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Here's a pic of the Vortec 4.3 with the locations of the casting #s and GM serial #. Mercruiser also puts a tag with their own ID above where the starter is mounted. The reason why the #s are important, is with a 1987 boat, you could have a 1986 or 1987 production engine. It makes a difference...
  8. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    PS as far as rebuilding this yourself well a lot depends on your level of experience, tools, engine lifting equipment & stand etc. A proper rebuild will require disassembly, cleaning, measuring everything for wear magnafluxing the cyl heads, etc. You will have to work with a good automotive...
  9. Lou C

    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Scott posted up a listing of all the changes made in the 4.3s, there are many. The best thing to do is find the block casting # which is behind the starboard side cyl head on the rear end of the block and the cyl head casting #s which are visible when you remove the valve covers. The # you can...
  10. Lou C

    Antifreeze circulation through engine

    OMC/Volvo engines use a brass plug with wing nuts on them that you can just put a small adjustable wrench on. Easy and they never break like the silly plastic stuff Merc uses. There’s a fitting threaded into the block and the plug goes into that fitting
  11. Lou C

    Anti Seize or Not?

    Using Permatex you have to clean the old gunk out of the threads and then it will come out easy next time. I use a small pick on the bolt and thread chasers on internal threads
  12. Lou C

    Anti Seize or Not?

    PS Champion makes a specific anti seize for aluminum; it’s used on spark plugs in air cooled aircraft engines.
  13. Lou C

    Anti Seize or Not?

    I’ve used the Evinrude gasket sealer and Permatex Aviation on all the bolts on the outdrive thermostat housing exhaust manifold & elbow bolts etc. I just removed the manifolds I installed 4 years ago to get access to the steering actuator and they all came right out. The good thing about gasket...
  14. Lou C

    Should we antifoul paint our 1998 SX outdrives?

    When the bellows are installed it is best if the pivot housing is removed because then you can tell if the end that goes on the gimble housing is seated properly. Some mechanics take a short cut by removing the exhaust bellows first and leave the pivot housing intact; and install the driveshaft...
  15. Lou C

    Antifreeze circulation through engine

    NO 1) your impeller will burn up trying to do that 2) unless you drain the engine first, or remove the thermostat, the raw water will not exit the engine on a cool fall day and you will wind up with manifolds full of AF and an engine still with raw water in it, and likely a cracked block in...
  16. Lou C

    Rain water came in through cover

    Well believe it or not freshwater causes far more rot than saltwater does because the microorganisms that cause wood rot don’t live in salt water. Salt water rots cast iron and aluminum but preserves wood!
  17. Lou C

    Condensation in exhaust manifolds...

    that was surprising to me as well, given that these have the latest emissions with the cat converters. I looked for the evidence of salt or calcium deposits in the block or old cyl heads when changed them and didn't see any of that. Even when I took off the Barr manifolds, the exit passages in...
  18. Lou C

    Carb Recommendations for 5.7L Vortec?

    One thing you're going to have to work through is that the Vortecs do not have the heated exhaust cross over that the pre-Vortecs do in the intake manifold, so you will need to got to an electric choke conversion if you want to use a choke, or a manual choke conversion. Remember that there have...
  19. Lou C

    Condensation in exhaust manifolds...

    I kind of figured that and I never checked the old one piece manifolds when running the 160 stat to see if would happen with them under the same conditions. I do know because of the # of times I changed the exhaust on this boat (3 changes in my ownership) I've never seen any rust in the cyl head...
  20. Lou C

    Condensation in exhaust manifolds...

    Ok got a question about condensation in exhaust manifolds. I came across this by accident because I had to remove the Barr Marine/OMC/Volvo exhaust I installed 4 years ago, for access to the steering actuator that needs to be replaced. I ran the engine on the water hose about 20 min, let it cool...
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