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  1. Lou C

    Surge Brake replacement parts

    The one I installed in 2004 still works go figure!
  2. Lou C

    New engine installation

    I made up a jumper wire with alligator clips so I can ground the coil lead when cranking and you don’t want sparks like for a compression test
  3. Lou C

    Mercruiser 260 350v8 choke spring? Different clocked positions

    Very good work a well adjusted divorced choke actually works fine as long as your engine reaches operating temp. the choke spring gets heated by the exhaust cross over passage in the intake manifold. The only time I have had issues with this is when a bit of rust or sand holds the thermostat...
  4. Lou C

    1990 Mercruiser 5.7L trouble starting

    The other things that can cause troubles are in the boat fuel tank, the anti siphon valve, pick up tube & vent. I’d actually check those first; you can try running the engine on a separate tank…. Is the distributor making spark? Fuel getting to the carb? The fact that it ran on starter fluid...
  5. Lou C

    New engine installation

    Agreed.
  6. Lou C

    Winterizing, use E-0 stabilized gas or install shut off valve and run carb out of fuel?

    OK gents, I will take your advice!
  7. Lou C

    Winterizing, use E-0 stabilized gas or install shut off valve and run carb out of fuel?

    not an outboard lol. no way to drain carb so it's either store it with EO or run it dry? What's better?
  8. Lou C

    Winterizing, use E-0 stabilized gas or install shut off valve and run carb out of fuel?

    It's my 4.3 I/O with Quadrajet carb, I used the outboard tank to troubleshoot a fuel problem I had all season....and thought of using it for this, as well....
  9. Lou C

    Winterizing, use E-0 stabilized gas or install shut off valve and run carb out of fuel?

    My outboard tank has a shut off so I could do it that way with the E0 gas as well! I might try this first, run it a little above idle as if I were going to fog it and shut off the fuel & see how long it takes to run out of gas. Then I can time the fogging so the 2 coincide
  10. Lou C

    If you're wondering if your anti siphon valve is stuck, or clogged, here's a test....

    Conclusion, the best test is running it on a separate tank. I bought a 6 gallon outboard tank, installed a shut off for safety and hooked it up. As soon as I did that the hesitation/low rpm problem I had was gone! Engine planed the boat out & reached 4900 rpm WOT…. So now I know it’s either the...
  11. Lou C

    Winterizing, use E-0 stabilized gas or install shut off valve and run carb out of fuel?

    I’ve been thinking about this, here we are stuck with E10 at most marinas & gas stations, but there is one station that sells E-0 94 octane gas (started using it in my small engines). Would it be better to hook up my outboard tank & run it on that, then fog it, or, install a shut off, run it on...
  12. Lou C

    Surge Brake replacement parts

    Agreed anything that’s totally integrated can be difficult to upgrade/repair due to non standard installation. I was able to buy a rebuild kit for my old Tie Down 66 actuator some years back but it still works fine so have not had to take it apart. They apparently got bought out by Dexter a few...
  13. Lou C

    Stalling, sudden low idle.

    That's probably one of the most sneaky causes of a misfire, that you could ever have, like a frayed wire from the coil to the distributor.....
  14. Lou C

    changing from a 2 barrel to a 4 barrel carburetor

    Well to be honest I don't. But maybe the sourcing of the carb changed from when it was released. If you have any Quadrajet questions, the guy to ask is Cliff Ruggles of Cliff's High Performance Quadrajets. Google his website, they also have a discussion forum. I have used his rebuild kits...
  15. Lou C

    changing from a 2 barrel to a 4 barrel carburetor

    The other thing that can cause dark spark plugs is the carb running too rich (too much fuel vs the available air); and the causes of that are carb float too high, needle valve leaking and clogged air bleeds. A really thorough cleaning adjustment of the float level and and reassembly with new...
  16. Lou C

    New engine installation

    Keep in mind that taps for straight threads and NPT threads are different…you‘d need an NPT tap for that…and as mentioned use grease to catch any tiny bits…
  17. Lou C

    changing from a 2 barrel to a 4 barrel carburetor

    The other thing that can cause dark spark plugs is the carb running too rich (too much fuel vs the available air); and the causes of that are carb float too high, needle valve leaking and clogged air bleeds. A really thorough cleaning adjustment of the float level and and reassembly with new...
  18. Lou C

    Help choosing an older cruiser - 1993 Chris Craft Crown 262 or 1995 Rinker 265 Fiesta Vee

    Hey I have owned an OMC Cobra for 23 years, so I'm pretty familiar with them and there are ones you can get parts for (mine) but others that are a real headache (that one). So yeah keep looking, even for a dockside condo you don't want an old boat with rot and an impossible to work on engine...
  19. Lou C

    Rebuilt my mercarb, now runs awfully

    Hmm could it be on when it's not supposed to be ON?
  20. Lou C

    Towing friends boat damage

    Yep, use the tongue jack to make sure the coupler won't pop off the ball! I never liked those adjustable U-Haul couplers for the same reason. The make noise all the time it seems.
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