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  1. Lou C

    Next to No Maintenance

    If possible maybe remove a valve cover & see if the rocker arms are rusting. That’s a sure sign of water intrusion
  2. Lou C

    Wonder if I should go IO again or go OB?

    For anyone thinking about a modern boat with the I/O especially if you are in a salt water region check the price of replacing the cat exhaust if it has that, you'll see it's between 5000-6000 per engine. Fresh water you probably will never have to worry about it Beyond that, take a good look at...
  3. Lou C

    EXHAUST

    The whole dry joint system is a good deal more expensive but if you are in salt water I'd say it's definitely worth it. In fresh water where exhaust corrosion is not such a big issue it might not be as much. Here in the salt pond if I could fit the dry joint exhaust to my OMC engine (it now has...
  4. Lou C

    EXHAUST

    Barr Marine also makes a good aftermarket version of the dry joint....
  5. Lou C

    Wonder if I should go IO again or go OB?

    If the boat you're looking at has cat converter exhaust I wouldn't even consider it. That and horrible or impossible engine access are deal breakers for me with I/Os. Keep in mind boats with cat converter exhaust are prone to the same pain in the rear check engine lights for O2 sensor codes as...
  6. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    That's how I do mine, just hook up the remote starter and crank it with the cap off and coil high tension lead grounded. Saves time! Yep there's no way that the sliding door would pass the spec for ignition protection, true marine distributors have a gasket under the cap and a vent with a metal...
  7. Lou C

    Next to No Maintenance

    I have a generator that is stored under a back porch, it is in the weather here in Long Island but not rained on and when I change the oil it looks like almost new! I would look for ways that water is getting into the air cleaner if I had to leave it outside. Oil actually came out cleaner than...
  8. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    Just curious, how do you like the Petronix? I have heard mixed things.
  9. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    Do you have the Delco window distributor where you can change the dwell by using an allen key when the engine is running? I had one on my '72 Chevrolet, and the flex allen tool to adjust it. You couldn't have that on a marine engine (has to be sealed due to sparking) but on a car engine, that...
  10. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 4.3 GL-A Cutting Out After Idling

    You are going to have to go over the wiring circuit including the relay for the electric fuel pump to track this one down. Look for corroded/overheated connections.
  11. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    I have 2 spare Prestolite points distributors for my 4.3, one is from an OMC engine (OMC grey) one is definitely from a Merc engine (Merc black) but otherwise they appear identical. I guess that's what Merc used in the pre-Thunderbolt era.
  12. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    Interesting, I looked at the specs for the 4.3 (262 cu in) and they list it at 26* total at 4000 rpm, with 8 degrees of base advance that means that 18 degrees of electronic advance versus the 12 on my mechanical advance (+ 6* base timing for a total of 18* @ 3200 rpm) Prestolite. I know that...
  13. Lou C

    Trailer Tires

    The longest I ever used any trailer tire was 8 years no failure but there were small cracks in the tread starting. Over 15+ years of using Kenda bias ply Load Star tires I have averaged about 7 years between replacements. No failures not even a flat. Current set is from 2019 with a spare that is...
  14. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    One reason I stick with the old points distributor was the advance curve specified by OMC on the pre Vortec 4.3 V6. These engines got 6* of base advance with 12* of centrifugal advance at 3200 rpm. This total of 18* is a good deal less than what you see on any of the V8s. Not knowing how the...
  15. Lou C

    Trailer Tires

    Was the tire that blew wearing unevenly? If so the leaf spring mounts might need to be re-aligned. Also you might want to get the boat & trailer weighed, it may weigh more than you think. I weighed mine and found that the boat & trailer weighed 1200 lbs more than I thought based on manufacturer...
  16. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    If you ever buy a classic car it’s a useful skill to have. Here’s a data point for you: I drove cars with points from 1972-1980, had exactly one breakdown due to points. 1965 VW Bug with a points distributor easily fixed by the side of the road with simple tools & a feeler gauge. The...
  17. Lou C

    4.3L OMC Cobra Conversion From Points To Electronic Ignition

    If you have the original OMC ESA then I think either you have to use the diode fix or get a new ESA from CDI electronics that will work with your Petronix system.
  18. Lou C

    Mercruiser 140 Points to Delco EST results in low RPM at WOT

    There isn’t much to how points work. You set the gap with a feeler gauge and verify with a dwell meter. Then check base timing and idle speed. You can also inspect the centrifugal weights & springs under the points plate and lube them with a bit of oil. An advance timing light can be used to...
  19. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 3.0 GLP-D Choke/Starting Issue?

    And keep in mind this is a Holley carb you can also ask questions about their auto choke system on Holley’s own website tech forum. I guess it would more properly be called an un-choke system since the choke technically is always closed till it gets power to the heater coil. The older GM system...
  20. Lou C

    Fuel filter and hose questions

    Ideally you want metal line between the fuel pump & carb or EFI, and yes a canister fuel filter between the tank & fuel pump. If you can’t use metal line between the pump & carb/EFI Sierra does make a flex line that is approved for this use.
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