Search results

  1. Lou C

    First time buyer

    What? Here in Long Island you can walk into a dealer and buy a nicely equipped Key West 203 Dual Console with a Yamaha, Merc or Suzuki 150 for about 50K! That’s a 20’ fully foam filled (positive flotation) salt water boat. That’s new with warranties.
  2. Lou C

    Overhauling my 1988 MerCruiser 4.3 ltr. engine

    yep if you go electric you then don't need the tube just keep the block off plate. I had a hot air choke like that on my '70 Ford with the 302 V8 2 bbl Autolite 2100 carb. Went into a passage on the exhaust manifold.
  3. Lou C

    Red engine motor year mystery

    Interesting, yes the joint venture engines (1994-1998, for OMC, up to 99 for Volvo) were actually painted OMC Charcoal grey like my Cobra. As long as you can get the right parts, its not an issue, but good to know what you have.
  4. Lou C

    Overhauling my 1988 MerCruiser 4.3 ltr. engine

    That's the heat tube for the hot air heated choke (on your old one). Used on the 2bbl Rochester carb. If you have a hot air choke and want it to work install the heat tube on the new manifold. The way it works is that there is a vacuum port in the choke housing, vacuum sucks air through that...
  5. Lou C

    First time buyer

    The outboard costs more up front but there is no question in my mind that they are safer by far. No issue with fumes in the bilge, no worry about a leaking bellows letting in water ruining the gimble bearing & ujoints and no chance of a cooling hose failing and flooding the bilge with seawater...
  6. Lou C

    1999 Mercruiser 4.3L Fuel Pump

    We are not supposed to post links to other sites but look up the Carter marine low pressure pump on those I listed above and it should come up complete with the bracket to mount it...
  7. Lou C

    First time buyer

    My advice: Save up till you can get a 5 yr old boat with a modern outboard. Or else get to have fun fooling around with all the common old boat (wood rot) and designed in I/O problems. I’ve learned enough in the past 18 years to do this only once. Take the cheaper way out and be prepared to...
  8. Lou C

    1999 Mercruiser 4.3L Fuel Pump

    While I agree using the same style as Merc used is easiest the Carter pump is a good option and can be bought from a variety of vendors like Michigan Motorz, Summit Racing or Jegs.
  9. Lou C

    First time buyer

    Yep the biggest issue is unseen wood rot in the structure, that’s actually more difficult and time consuming to repair than mechanical issues. Unless you know that a boat is 100% non wood composite it’s a risk. I would pass been there and done that. Personally I wouldn’t buy a boat older that...
  10. Lou C

    Please help looking at a boat tomorrow

    I have one and have owned it 18+ years, it’s been great very few repairs. But I wouldn’t advise someone to buy one now, very few shops will work on them. I have lots of spares and the shop manual and some special OMC tools. But for the average person just forget about I/O boats to start. Get a...
  11. Lou C

    Should i replace the pickup coil?

    That's the $64,000 question, but no one really knows! I think that what Volvo was using was the Prestolite BID electronic system if I'm not mistaken.
  12. Lou C

    1999 Mercruiser 4.3L Fuel Pump

    All well then all you need is a simple low pressure Carter pump. Should be less than 100 bucks. Lucky to have a carb, far cheaper for repairs.
  13. Lou C

    1999 Mercruiser 4.3L Fuel Pump

    I really doubt you had methanol in the gas, if it was ethanol yes there could be troubles, but as long as you have good access to the pumps then why not try it out, pressure test the high and low pressure pumps and see how they work. Is this a carb engine or TBI or EFI? If a carb then all it...
  14. Lou C

    Should i replace the pickup coil?

    If the OE was made in USA and aftermarket made in China I’d leave it be! Unless you have a strong suspicion that it’s causing a problem. Intake gaskets keep in mind there is a big difference in torque specs between the pre Vortec (12 bolts) and Vortec (8 bolts).
  15. Lou C

    Buying a boat with a rebuilt sterndrive??

    Rebuilts can run the gamut from good to bad. Does the owner have receipts for what was done on the rebuild? This would list what operations were done (ie boring cyls oversize) and what parts were replaced (ie oversize pistons, rings, crankshaft bearings etc). If so that’s good if not all you can...
  16. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    No since the intake/exhaust manifold is all one unit on these you’d normally replace the whole thing when the exhaust is due for replacement like I said every 5-7 seasons in salt water. If you want truly low maintenance no I/O boat will give you that. Only modern outboards are low maintenance...
  17. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    Here's what an OMC Batwing V6 manifold looks like vs new after 5.5 seasons in salt. One outlet is totally plugged. These could be cleaned out and re-used but they were on borrowed time.
  18. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    I’ve had 20 years experience in salt. And if you go beyond 5-7 seasons you are taking a chance. My engine’s on its 4th exhaust system including the one it came with. It was used in fresh before I got it. First you get partial clogging and then you may get leaks between the manifold & elbow. 2...
  19. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    I’d be curious about the intake replacement...isn’t the intake/exhaust all one piece on these? That could explain it; if used in salt water your be replacing the exhaust manifold at 5-7 years regardless of hrs used. These engines are extremely simple much simpler and cheaper to repair than any...
  20. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    The Sierra gaskets look similar to the Barr ones I used, maybe a little thicker, it may be that they might seal better with imperfect sealing surfaces but the Volvo gaskets might hold up to heat better but may need near perfect sealing surfaces to seal. I know that when you install the Volvo...
Top