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  1. Lou C

    Can I replace my 1994 Mercruiser 5.0 2BBL (305) with a 1998 5.7 2BBL (350) ?

    Agreed if I were doing an engine replacement on a boat with a 5.0 Chevrolet I'd for sure go with a 5.7, it is the exact same physical size and weight but has much more power potential, also make sure to go with a 4bbl intake and carb, don't cheap out with a little 2 bbl carb. For carbs, you can...
  2. Lou C

    4.3 vortec engine ( water in oil )

    that's why I like the old pre-Vortec all SAE fittings mechanical fuel pump 100% reliable no leak prone intake gaskets, they never leak on these yeah 25 hp less, but doesn't bother me
  3. Lou C

    Hard starting 4.3LX, normal or not?

    Yep this is the way electric fuel pumps work on old school engines that originally had mechanical fuel pumps. Powered off the starter till the engine fires then as soon as oil pressure builds it is powered through the oil pressure switch. Make sure all the electrical connections for the fuel...
  4. Lou C

    4.3 vortec engine ( water in oil )

    looky here...
  5. Lou C

    5.7 /Chevy 350 hard starting and stalling when idle

  6. Lou C

    4.3 vortec engine ( water in oil )

    The block casting #s are on the bell housing area behind the cyl head; look on both sides. There are also casting # s for the cyl heads that you can see if you remove the valve covers.
  7. Lou C

    Water leak at the transom

    It depends on the boat and the installation, some have been able to do it, you may need a crowfoot wrench or an offset box ratching wrench, to reach them.
  8. Lou C

    Deep cycle battries and standard car battries

    Also, don't trust your dash gauge 100% and assume that the alternator is fully charging the battery, check it with a digital voltmeter, you will find under or overcharging that way.
  9. Lou C

    StarCraft holiday 18ft 3.0 to 4.3 swap, good idea?

    The 4.3 is perfect for smaller boats as long as you have room for the engine mount on each side of the engine. There are a few members on here who swapped from a 4 cyl to a 4.3 (Rick Stephens, Nola Mike?) so you should be able to search and see how they did it. The engine is shorter but a lot...
  10. Lou C

    Water leak at the transom

    Here’s what I’d do. If the boat is out of the water run them on the water hose and watch that spot carefully. If you get water there it’s likely that the rubber oring seal between the exhaust Y pipe & the transom mount. That might rule out the bellows & transom seal. If not & it only leaks...
  11. Lou C

    Water leak at the transom

    Volvo Penta’s for your model
  12. Lou C

    Water leak at the transom

    I'm in a salt water area and have moored my boat for 20 years here and they would never look that good. So once you go this problem squared away you'll be good for a long time. Four Winns builds a nice boat. Here's my old '88 on the mooring.
  13. Lou C

    4.3 vortec engine ( water in oil )

    4.3 V6 I meant. I called them a few years ago and I don't think any more new ones are being built.
  14. Lou C

    Deep cycle battries and standard car battries

    I’ve used Deka gp 27 dual purpose conventional batteries for years and I usually get 7 years out of them. Thought of going with AGM but not sure if the extra cost is worth it.
  15. Lou C

    Water leak at the transom

    Agreed while the engines look amazingly clean for their age you need to pull the drives to check the driveshaft bellows for leaks. That would be the easiest solution to your problem. Keep in mind as clean as they are these engines are now 18 years old. It could be the bellows; transom seal or...
  16. Lou C

    4.3 vortec engine ( water in oil )

    About the new Vs reman; I looked into this (called MM) & I don’t think any new ones have been made for several years so the only ones available are re mans.
  17. Lou C

    4.3 vortec engine ( water in oil )

    that's the way to go, start with reman block & heads, then get a new intake (unless the old one wasn't cracked) and exhaust (same thing). As I have said many times the sad fact is that thousands of engines are ruined because Merc and Volvo were too cheap (or the boat companies were I should...
  18. Lou C

    daily music fix

    PS he was like Keith Richards from the Stones outlived many people who lived that wild lifestyle.
  19. Lou C

    daily music fix

    Saw CSN at the Beacon Theatre in NYC about 10 years ago it was a great show
  20. Lou C

    VP 5.0 GXi-G spark plug corrosion

    That’s sounding like a leaky gasket between the manifold & elbow.
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