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  1. Lou C

    Should I keep the Volvo 280?

    The solution to your situation is dependent on the answer to these questions: Do you have any good independent mechanics who will work on them? Will they accept using parts that you have supplied? If the answer to both is yes then I’d keep it. If the answers are no then converting to a Merc or...
  2. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 5.7Gi Closed Cooling Question

    The Volvo manifolds can’t be set up for full closed cooling. So if replacement is needed you’re replacing the whole thing. $725 or so Barr aftermarket for the whole kit. Just put a better coat of paint on them first. I think the OP’s running temp is a bit higher that what you see with raw water...
  3. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 5.7Gi Closed Cooling Question

    I prefer to remove the manifold due to risk of rusty bits falling into a cylinder even though it’s a bit more work. I changed the exhaust on my OMC 3 times in my salt water use. first pic is what the sealing surfaces look like when new on this style of exhaust... second pic shows my old OMC one...
  4. Lou C

    Kill Switch now mandatory....take a look at this.....

    Asked the question of a member on THT, CG guy and he said that you won't be required to retrofit one to an older boat but you can just imagine, when you get pulled over while the young CG guys are asking you how many life jackets you have and if your flares are expired, why you don't have...
  5. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 5.7Gi Closed Cooling Question

    just an example of what you'd be looking for...the elbows on the left are Merc dry joint ones but you can see how when installed they would look fine from the outside but are bad on the inside, the other pic shows how the sealing surfaces get eroded and will not seal.
  6. Lou C

    Whats the gap on the spark plug for a 83 omc 3.8 gm

    For oil you can use straight 30, 15w/40, 20/50, or Merc’s 25/40. Just not the lighter weight automotive oils like 5/30 or 10/30, these may thin out during high rpm marine use.
  7. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 5.7Gi Closed Cooling Question

    If you are going to check them throughly you need to take off the elbows and manifolds. Prop up the manifolds level and carefully fill with acetone (careful very flammable) let them sit and then see if you see any leakage in the poets that match up with the cyl head. And you have to check the...
  8. Lou C

    Kill Switch now mandatory....take a look at this.....

    If you boat where the Coast Guard patrols, then yes this will be checked, if they pull you over they check EVERYTHING, even the expiration on flares and give tickets for that. Not sure if states will choose to not enforce on inland waterways but coastal regions are US Coast Guard territory (Fed...
  9. Lou C

    U Joint Replacement Quality (Made in China)

    If the company you bought them from has a good reputation I would not be particularly concerned. For all we know if you bought Volvo OE it could be made in China in the same factory!
  10. Lou C

    Kill Switch now mandatory....take a look at this.....

    Change Is Coming: Mandatory Kill Switch Use - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum My boat doesn't have one, so I guess I have to add one....thoughts? We do use it on our little 10' Walker Bay when using the outboard.
  11. Lou C

    1997 Maxum Bowrider I/O V8 want to replace carpet with fishing friendly alternative

    Gelcoat with non skid mixed in.
  12. Lou C

    470 Merc Fuel Pump

    Agreed any time you can use a simple mechanical fuel pump do so. The only one I’ve ever replaced was 30 years old! In fact when I have to replace the engine in our boat I’ve considered getting a reman 4.3 so I can still use the mechanical pump (and other benefits of the old pre Vortec like the...
  13. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 5.7Gi Closed Cooling Question

    If Those temps are taken at idle they are fine, the true test is take it up on plane for a while then let the boat drop off plane and let it idle and take readings then. Mine will usually be 135-140 max. Any hot spots suggests clogging. And what’s clogging the cooling passages (rust) used to be...
  14. Lou C

    1998 Volvo Penta 4.3L GL

    The 5.0/5.7 V8s are the same width, and use the same mounts at the 4.3 but are about 4" longer. So you have to make sure the engine mount pads are long enough to support that. If the boat came with the option of a V8 they probably are. The outdrive ratio for the 4.3 may work with the 5.0, you...
  15. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 5.7Gi Closed Cooling Question

    You can wind up ruining the engine if you let this go too long. Take a look at the spark plugs and see if the electrodes are getting a bit of rust on them. Salt water will trash the engine and then you'll be in for a long block replacement. After running on plane the Volvo style exhaust on my...
  16. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 5.7Gi Closed Cooling Question

    I don't think Volvo offered full closed cooling in that year range because of the design of manifolds, there are only 2 low mounted ports for fittings on the manifold front and rear, not a low mounted one and a high mounted one like on a Merc manifold. You need a high and a low mounted port to...
  17. Lou C

    1998 Volvo Penta 4.3L GL

    The high oil pressure suggests water in the oil since water is more dense than oil....and blown head gaskets could have caused that....
  18. Lou C

    1998 Volvo Penta 4.3L GL

    I had a similar problem with my 4.3 about 7 years ago, it overheated then ran fine 3 more seasons, at the end of the 3rd I had difficulty starting, loss of power etc. What I found was that the head gaskets had started leaking water into 2 of the cyls, I was able to save it by draining the water...
  19. Lou C

    Overhauling my 1988 MerCruiser 4.3 ltr. engine

    There will be a casting # at the rear of the block behind the last cylinder on the starboard side. There is also a GM serial number on the front of the block right near where the cyl head mates up, same side. The tag near the starter referred to above is a Merc serial number, not GM. The casting...
  20. Lou C

    SeaRay 19 BowRider - Which Propeller To Use

    Correct you may have to experiment to find the right one; if you can find a shop that deals in propellers that can lend a few different pitch props that you can try out, otherwise it gets expensive. I started with a 14.5x19 (too low, 4500 ), went to a 15x17 (better 4700 rpm), and wound up with a...
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