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  1. Lou C

    4.3 Mercruiser MPI Chugging/Surging and Beeping during turns/Waves

    I wonder if you can wiggle parts of the wiring harness to see if that can re create the surge. I’m thinking an intermittent connection is cutting power to the fuel pump or other component. That, or some debris in the fuel tank blocking the fuel pick up under certain conditions. Agreed on getting...
  2. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Old tech is good. You just have to understand it isn't a perpetual motion machine. I'll take points & condenser & a 4bb carb, with its drawbacks, vs old throttle body and EFI systems. Merc and Volvo have nasty habit of making key parts for those, NLA. And then, you are SOL....
  3. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Engine accessibility is one of the reasons why I wouldn't buy most of the newer I/O designs. They appear to be designed by mechanical sadists who hate mechanics. A relative has a 2020 Chapparal with the new style Mercruiser 4.5 which is really a very nice running engine but to get at anything...
  4. Lou C

    spring vapor lock?

    Here's my somewhat rusty Quadrajet....doesn't look great but works just fine.
  5. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Well where the oil filter was located was originally determined by General Motors, when they designed these engines a LONG LONG time ago! The 3.0 4 cyl is very easy but on any of the V6s or V8s, it is way back up against the flywheel housing on the port side rear of the engine. Some boats you...
  6. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    one of OMCs better ideas:
  7. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Sometimes the wear plate can get scored from use or sucking up sand in shallow water. The impeller can look good but the scored wear plate stops it from pumping 100%. I go about 3 years on impellers unless i see a need to change is sooner. The OMC Cobra design makes it very easy to change...
  8. Lou C

    spring vapor lock?

    Ok about 10 years ago I had a cooling hose pop off the P/S cooler on my Cobra and that sprayed salt water all over the engine compartment. Carb had rust on the outside & one mixture screw actually seemed rusted in place. I sprayed a mix of rust penetrants on it & other corrosion let it sit for a...
  9. Lou C

    spring vapor lock?

    Rust on the outside is not really an operational concern it’s what you see when you open it up. If there is a lot of alu corrosion inside then replacement with the similar Edelbrock may make the most sense.
  10. Lou C

    What's this "rock" on the back of my sterndrive and is it supposed to be there ?

    You prob need magnesium and there are 2 other anodes besides that one…a small cube shaped one at the tail end of the outdrive & a rectangular shaped one under the outdrive. I put a bit of Evinrude gasket sealer on the bolt threads that keeps them from seizing from galvanic corrosion.
  11. Lou C

    1987 2.3L OMC Steering Questions

    Sounds good My original actuator lasted 32 years!
  12. Lou C

    1987 2.3L OMC Steering Questions

    That is the old style Bendix actuator with the separate control valve and metal hydraulic lines. They are loose when the engine is off and get tighter when the engine starts and the pump supplies pressure. There is a grease fitting on the back side of it that might need grease but do NOT over...
  13. Lou C

    First start after lower unit rebuild - new boat owner

    It is more a question of volume of water than pressure. Open cooling systems like these move a high volume of water to carry away the heat of combustion and the exhaust. The fact that your exhaust is steaming suggests low raw water flow, either from the hose or your impeller isn't pumping enough...
  14. Lou C

    First start after lower unit rebuild - new boat owner

    An OMC Cobra usually puts out more water under the transom mount, like this vid, I'd consider replacing the raw water impeller, a very easy job on those.
  15. Lou C

    4.3L OMC Cobra 1988 engine knock/rattle

    Those have a drain plug on em but it’s nearly impossible to get at, all you have to do to keep ‘em from freezing is put the drive down, disconnect the raw water intake hose at the thermostat housing & point it down in the bilge to drain. Then hold it up & fill it with -100 marine antifreeze till...
  16. Lou C

    Where’s the fuse box-1988 BAYLINER CAPRI 3.0

    www.baylinerownersclub.org
  17. Lou C

    2006 Volvo penta 3.0 glp-e misfire on cylinder 4

    see what the maker of the gaskets says. Some say yes some say no. Barr told me yes, I used Permatex Aviation, 6 years later no leaks.
  18. Lou C

    I/O taking on water while sitting not moving

    one way to know is to pull the drive and look in the bellows the other way, is to wait till your gimble bearing starts grinding and your u joints start knocking lol. BTW, this boat is my first boat owned and maintained 20 years. Based on my experience (which on the I/O side, not bad at all) I...
  19. Lou C

    1990 4.3 block and 1995 heads, which rocker tightening specs to follow?

    old school: since your tab only has one mark (zero I'm thinking) the tape just has to have the zero aligned with the slit on the harmonic balancer. that's kinda how Fords were different than Chevrolets they had the timing numbers stamped on the balancer and a pointer sticking out from the block
  20. Lou C

    5.0 mercruiser won’t idle under 1100(ish) rpm’s

    Sounds like your idle system is clogged; either the jets or the air bleeds. Or there is a float/needle valve issue.
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