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  1. Lou C

    Engine vibrating after water in engineoil

    Normal compression is 150-160 on these engines so your # 6 is low at 120 and the cyl head gasket looks blown to me…dark around the left side of the cylinder. Yes the 2 piece system can corrode and leak but if in salt water you have to replace them on a regular basis like every 5-7 years. I had...
  2. Lou C

    Bad day on the water - NEED ADVICE!!

    Agreed while its big number price wise it is the best plan long term, both from the point of view of repairing ALL the damage and fixing other things that cause trouble on older boats (oil pans, starters, steering arms, hinge pins etc).
  3. Lou C

    Water in engine oil. 150 mercury Varado.

    Try posting up at the hull truth there are a lot of outboard pros there. I would: Check for water in cyls and do a compression test. Usually with OBs it’s eroded sealing surfaces between the block & cyl head, or a small hole rotted in the head or block. Might just be a head gasket though.
  4. Lou C

    Engine vibrating after water in engineoil

    I’d go back and check the compression again. Do these newer 4.3s have adjustable valve train or is it like the newer style net lash? I’m wondering if any valves are sticking due to the water ingestion. I had this when my head gaskets blew and leaked water into the cyl. I had one valve on each...
  5. Lou C

    Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

    You can get the height exactly right makes it easy on the old back
  6. Lou C

    Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

    try Stumpy's Fab Works, I have one of his. if you're going to own I/O boats and do your own work, this and an alignment tool are must have items. I have saved thousands over the years doing my own outdrive R+R every year and have avoided repairs and spending money unecessarily due to repairs...
  7. Lou C

    Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

    Buy or build a drive jack it will save your back and make these jobs much easier; I’ve had one for years for my OMC Cobra.
  8. Lou C

    4.3 set timing?

    Although the Merc service bulletin does not specifically mention it, I would check for drips from the discharge tubes in the venturis after the engine is shut off. Run it as you normally would, shut down and then remove the flame arrestor. Look down the carb throat with a bright LED flashlight...
  9. Lou C

    4.3 set timing?

    I always used at least 89 octane fuel if not higher the gas docks here only sell 93 octane. Even with my old cyl heads I never had run on or pinging.
  10. Lou C

    4.3 set timing?

    Interesting I have heard this about Merc 4.3s yet never once experienced this on my OMC version with the Quadrajet. I thought Merc had a TSB addressing this issue.
  11. Lou C

    94 4.3l lost compression 1-3-5

    Those engines are pretty easy to take apart and simple to repair, I had to use an impact gun to get the cyl head bolts out because of raw water cooling in the salt water. I would do a leak down test first. You can still get reman heads for the pre vortec heads, or get yours redone if they just...
  12. Lou C

    Manifold and riser/elbow question for V6 Tahoe Q4

    I measured this when I changed my OMC 4.3 from the old one piece bat wings to the later OMC/Volvo 2 piece style, I got 16” which was good, but if they were too low I’d have to have used the taller Volvo elbows.
  13. Lou C

    Manifold and riser/elbow question for V6 Tahoe Q4

    I would measure the static water line & use Mercs 14” above the static water line spec to figure that out. That’s the right way to do it.
  14. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 3.0 I/O Overheating. Brand New Engine!

    Great that you found what it was and that the solution was not an engine problem but a relatively simple one at that! Congrats!
  15. Lou C

    1993 Mercruiser 4.3 2bbl carb running out of power

    I think if its 10% E10 you won't have problems, here's the inside of my Quadrajet run on E10 for 15 years....I think it looks pretty good inside! when I did this rebuilt it was 30 years old....
  16. Lou C

    Looking for bare engine block with pistons

    Looks like you got it! Now to test in the water to make sure it shifts the same with the load of the water on the prop.
  17. Lou C

    5.7 EFI running hotter on starboard exhaust

    Even in the water, the water flow out of the thermostat housing is never going to be equal due to the forces in the cooling system. Mine has always been hotter on the starboard side. Not Merc but an OMC/Volvo set up.
  18. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 3.0 GLP-D (PCV valve popping off while running - carbon buildup on boat thru exhaust)

    Is the other end of that hose connected to the intake manifold? Or a vacuum port below the level of the throttle plate on the carb? Should be either of those for it to work as a PCV valve…they need manifold vacuum to work If that valve is gunked up with sludge inside it may not be working...
  19. Lou C

    Volvo Penta Sx-M 1.97 Gimbal bearing + Transom Seal

    There is no such thing that will work. You can try to get it aluminum welded but I’d replace it. BTW I have a 1988 OMC Cobra used in salt water (moored there each year) and that area is still fine. I was able to buy a very good condition complete Cobra transom assembly for about $450 for spare...
  20. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 anti-siphon valve

    If the fuel pump/filter connection is lower than the top of the tank you do because then if the hose from the tank to the filter leaks fuel can siphon into the bilge creating a safety hazard. I would keep it.
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