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  1. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 Vortec Backfire and no start

    Great glad to hear it. Now just get yourself a timing light and next time do it yourself! My old 4.3 still has the ancient (but reliable) Prestolite points distributor so I check dwell, timing & idle speed every spring. Points get replaced when they are pitted or it starts running rough. 63 on...
  2. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 carb weep

    Interesting, I replaced the mechanical fuel pump, rebuilt the carb a couple of times, replaced the steering actuator, all with flare fittings never used sealer, and never had a leak! Here's a tip, when replacing/installing a carb, or fuel pump, thread the retaining nut on before tightening the...
  3. Lou C

    Should I install Fuel/Water Separator?

    Agreed the Merc standard unit is the best for what you have & gives you a wide range of filters you could use from the standard ones to a Racor with the metal bowl. If in a humid environment and forced to use E10 gas it’s pretty much necessary to avoid fuel system problems.
  4. Lou C

    Upgrading trailer tires and rims - need advice

    Well that's good to know, more choices are always better!
  5. Lou C

    Upgrading trailer tires and rims - need advice

    I checked on the Vantra tire on the Tire Rack...according to them the only size of the Vantra that's made in Korea is the 225/75-15, all other sizes are made in China. That's if their information is up to date and accurate. Most of the Kenda tires I have bought over the years were made in Taiwan...
  6. Lou C

    New Engine Replacement - Engine Died and Hydro locked after 5 hrs!?

    OK I figured out a way to weigh my boat using a tongue weight scale, any of the scales here are hard to find/too far etc. I got a surprise, similar to what you found, the dry weight for this boat is listed at 2560 so you'd thing wet weight with equipment, roughly 3000 lbs and the single axle...
  7. Lou C

    No power on yellow-red wire to starter...please identify this Mericruiser part

    Glad to be of help. "Electrickery" is a mystery for most of us, it takes time and study to really understand it! One lucky thing older boats have very simple DC wiring, one thing I would NOT want is a modern boat with CANBUS and multiple ECMs, what a nightmare that will be when those boats get...
  8. Lou C

    Upgrading trailer tires and rims - need advice

    If you want both I think you'll do better buying them from Eastern Marine or Etrailer. On my trailer I went from a 205/75-14 to a 225/75-15 which is a huge difference, and went from a 3500 lb axle to a 6000 lb axle. I had to get bigger fenders and mount them higher to make it work. I've been...
  9. Lou C

    2006 Volvo 5.7 osi-d crank no start

    Not in the way as on a carbed engine but lean looking plugs might lead me to have injectors cleaned if not done for a long time and check fuel pump pressure. What I love about carbs, they are infinitely tuneable, not only that you have choice of Edelbrock, Holley/Quickfuel, or Quadrajet (if you...
  10. Lou C

    2006 Volvo 5.7 osi-d crank no start

    pulling the spark plugs once a year is a good idea just to keep tabs on the fuel mix, important to make sure it's not lean.
  11. Lou C

    2006 Volvo 5.7 osi-d crank no start

    Congrats & glad to hear it! Love the easy repair-ability of these old school Chevrolet engines.
  12. Lou C

    Replacing trailer axle... what are the considerations?

    the other place where I saw ready made galvanized 5200 lb axles is trailerpartsdepot.com. It is actually a Load Rite factory axle with 70" spring centers and 87" hub face dimension IIFC. I could have used this, but I liked the options Champion gave me better, and the price was the same, just had...
  13. Lou C

    Replacing trailer axle... what are the considerations?

    agreed! you change one thing that affects trailer height and it can affect two or three other things that have to be changed.... fenders, spring mounts etc...
  14. Lou C

    No power on yellow-red wire to starter...please identify this Mericruiser part

    If your tilt n trim works up & down from the trailer remote switch but not from the remote control shifter the solenoids are working as they should but the “up” solenoid is not getting the signal from the “up” wire (blue) on the remote control shifter. Could be the trim switch in the remote...
  15. Lou C

    1987 4.3 mercruiser overheating at high rpms

    That also depends on which brand of HGs you used. For example some Fel Pro HGs do not require re-torquing
  16. Lou C

    No power on yellow-red wire to starter...please identify this Mericruiser part

    The only difference between a 3 position and 4 position ignition switch is that the 4 has an additional accessory position that allows you to run accessories without turning the ignition on, just like in a car. The trim system has a blue wire for up and a green for down, check to see if you...
  17. Lou C

    Replacing trailer axle... what are the considerations?

    I had it made by Champion Trailers in Slidell, Louisiana. Great people & work quality. I have had 2 trailers custom made by them. Takes 3-4 weeks.
  18. Lou C

    Merc 4.3 Vortec Conversion

    Yep that's the way to go with either an Edelbrock or Holley. I thought of installing Vortec heads on my old pre vortec when I did the rebuild but thought there were going to be other complications, so just went back with pre-vortec heads & used my old intake, Q-Jet with divorced choke. If you...
  19. Lou C

    No power on yellow-red wire to starter...please identify this Mericruiser part

    PS that solenoid is used to prevent voltage drop due to the long wiring run.
  20. Lou C

    Replacing trailer axle... what are the considerations?

    Exactly that's why when I realized that my 3500 axle was overloaded, I went with a 6000 2x3 4" drop axle. But it doesn't drop it 4", its less due to the need to allow clearance for the taller axle/frame.
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