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  1. Lou C

    1989 Trophy, Adding 2nd Battery

    I use this simple way of keeping both charged with the switch…#1 on odd # days, #2 on even # days. I usually get about 7 years out of my batteries before they won’t hold a charge…
  2. Lou C

    4.3 low pressure fuel pump

    Aftermarket is a crapshoot but Carter makes OEM fuel pumps so it’s probably the safest bet if not buying Merc OEM. This is why I like old school carbed engines with mechanical fuel pumps. A brand new Carter pump is $75-$80 and the best carb kit you can get is about $60.
  3. Lou C

    1988 4.3 OMC overheated and melted paint

    Does yours definitely have power steering? If so the cooler is behind the engine. Follow the raw water intake hose back….
  4. Lou C

    1988 4.3 OMC overheated and melted paint

    That 90* down pipe is FRIED! When I had my overheat I thought it was bad but it didn’t even burn the paint on the old OMC manifolds & alu exhaust pipes. The impeller looks ok. What brand of manifolds & elbows did you use? What I’d do is put the boat in the water and bring a helper with you...
  5. Lou C

    What engine in new boat

    IF whoever put this thing together used an automotive carb on a boat, I would not trust anything else they did. Check the alternator, distributor, and starter for J1171 certification labels. All must be spark protected to prevent a explosion if gas vapor is present in the bilge.
  6. Lou C

    I'm stumped, overheated 4.3 MPI, water in oil, replaced heads, still water in the oil

    Did the machine shop magnaflux the cyl heads or dye test them? How did they determine that they weren't cracked? when I had my episode with water in the oil in my 1988 pre-Vortec 4.3 and in the 2 front cyls, what I found is that it was from the fire ring of the head gaskets on both sides...
  7. Lou C

    What engine in new boat

    If it isn't a marine carb, I would change it for one that is and sell the one that's on there. Not only that, I'd check all the other electrical equipment to make sure it meets the J1171 specification for use in an enclosed engine compartment in a gas inboard. This is no joke, using automotive...
  8. Lou C

    In-boat camshaft replacement - 7.4 Mercruiser

    Just follow the break in use a high zinc oil. I have a 98 Jeep 4.0 in-line six with the flat tappet cam no problems in 181,000 miles….and used just normal oils all that time….
  9. Lou C

    What engine in new boat

    Just curious what’s the bad with Edelbrock? I only have experience with Quadrajet & Holley….
  10. Lou C

    In-boat camshaft replacement - 7.4 Mercruiser

    Agreed roller cam is a good upgrade especially with todays low zinc oils. Even my lowly old ‘88 4.3 came with a roller cam. When I replaced the cyl heads I pulled out the lifters to check the lobes & they looked like new, no visible wear. It was 29 years old then!
  11. Lou C

    1989 Mercruiser 4.3 LX, Alpha 1 Gen 1 Overheating

    OEM is always best for mission critical parts like impellers & D/S bellows. I do like aftermarket Barr Marine manifolds & elbows.
  12. Lou C

    In-boat camshaft replacement - 7.4 Mercruiser

    Agreed that’s a really good idea! I used grey RTV on the China walls & Permatex aviation on the water ports. Sealer is advised there because there will always be some pitting in the cast iron on the head & intake. For motor oil I might use Valvoline VR-1 20/50 for break in it has about the...
  13. Lou C

    Best way to pressure test an exhaust manifold?

    It definitely is…on my old engine it came with the OMC one piece V6 manifolds. The set it came with I had no idea of the # of hrs so I replaced those after I had it a couple of years in 2004. Next replacement was in 2011 again with those OEM manifolds. By the time the next replacement was due in...
  14. Lou C

    Best way to pressure test an exhaust manifold?

    If it’s cracked in one spot that’s all I need to know it’s scrap iron. If you want to keep that engine running replace it. I know it’s money but if you’re in a freshwater region where exhaust systems last nearly forever….this might make you feel better…my salt water boat is on exhaust system #...
  15. Lou C

    87 OMC 5.7 No Spark

    I have heard mixed reviews on the Petronix that’s why I never switched from points.
  16. Lou C

    87 OMC 5.7 No Spark

    If it still has the original ESA module, and you're running a Petronix electronic conversion, that ESA is not compatible, not sure it will keep it from starting though. I think the issue with that is it won't function like it should (lower the idle when shifting from in-gear to neutral). CDI...
  17. Lou C

    Quit My Job . . .

    The only microchips would be in my plotter/fishfinder & VHF radios I'd have a points distributor, and a 4bbl carb, closed cooling. Easy and cheap to maintain, nearly forever.
  18. Lou C

    Quit My Job . . .

    Just like modern cars eh? It’s good to hear all the solutions that we can learn from My fantasy boat is a simple carburetored V8 engine with a direct drive transmission in a keel drive Shamrock.
  19. Lou C

    1989 Trophy, Adding 2nd Battery

    I think it’s just easier & more than adequate to do what I did. 2 dual purpose gp 27 batteries a simple switch & alternate use of batteries. I have a Garmin GPS/fish finder, Sound system & 2 VHF radios (one hard mount one rechargeable). Standard ARCO alternator. No problems keeping the batteries...
  20. Lou C

    What engine in new boat

    Yep Volvo never used Edelbrock. Old days it was Rochester after 90 it was Holley. Find the engine casting # on the bell housing area for your answer, Being that it has a non stock carb & aftermarket exhaust it’s anybody’s guess. Does appear to be a Vortec engine.
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