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  1. Lou C

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    Agreed when we redid my 88 Four Winns about 18 years ago I replaced all the foam that had to be removed. If you’re not replacing foam which also stiffens the structure you’d have to add bulkheads to make up for the loss of rigidity with no foam. Boats that are built with no foam have a lot more...
  2. Lou C

    Mercruiser 305 V-8 Temp issues

    I have also used Leaders RPM I like my local dealer if a part is available he can get Merc, OMC or Volvo in a few days. I also use Marine Engine, and Lighthouse Marine supply here on Long Island.
  3. Lou C

    Mercruiser 305 V-8 Temp issues

    I wouldn’t buy engine parts from Amazon because of how much counterfeit stuff there is out there. Merc parts are everywhere buy from a local dealer. Even with my Cobra where there isn’t the parts supply like for a Merc I use ONLY OEM for: Bellows Impellers & housings Thermostats I do use...
  4. Lou C

    Installing new bellows

    The las time I changed mine was 8 years ago and it still looks like new as far as cracks etc. Every year I pull the drive & really check it.
  5. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    It's a blocked metering block, no way you could install a PV in it. I would have thought that given the 4.3 only being 262 cu in, they would have used the 450 cfm unit, but I'm just guessing.
  6. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/marine_carburetors/parts/0-80492 this one was used by OMC and Volvo on the 4.3: always wondered about that, must be a reason for no power valve perhaps with a 600 cfm carb the little 4.3 does not need the extra enrichment of the power...
  7. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    OK Scott since we are talking 4.3s and Holleys, I got a riddle for you. When the Quad went out of production, Holley built a special spec 4160 for the 4.3 which does not have a power valve, as unusual as this seems. I know this for a fact because I tried one on my engine (still have it but...
  8. Lou C

    Installing new bellows

    I used OMC Gasket sealer on the threads because of salt water moorage on mine. That way they WILL come out even though you gotta get em bubba tight. BTW this procedure will also work for a Volvo SX because the design is very similar, except for the shift cable, I'm not sure if my trick with the...
  9. Lou C

    Installing new bellows

    I have found that the OMC Cobra bellows will last about 10 years before small cracks start forming in the folds, that's a good time to do it before you have a failure. Suggestions: Use an OEM bellow, I think they fit better and last longer. While some people try to avoid removing the pivot...
  10. Lou C

    Closed cooling worth the money?

    On an inline 4 it wouldn't be hard to reach but the block drains on a V6 or V8 are a real pain. Thought of a few ways of extending them with a length of hose that could be rodded out. If I replace this boat for sure it will be 4 stroke outboard for low maintenance. I see ob boats left in the...
  11. Lou C

    What does this marking mean on this new to me outdrive?

    Boatyards and marine mechanics may put the customer's initials on the drive so they don't get mixed up during winter storage.
  12. Lou C

    Closed cooling worth the money?

    here your exhaust will not last 10-15 years, by approx 8-10 years your elbows will have rotted through and let salt water into a cyl. And if it sits more than a few days, it's done. Under the best circumstances the elbows last approx 8 years, maybe a year or 2 longer. However they can last less...
  13. Lou C

    Closed cooling worth the money?

    FWC kits have increased in price but so have new long blocks (very substantial like close to double) and reman units. If I keep this boat long enough to repower it, I am going to look into a full system. Don't know if my Cobra impeller provides enough flow for a full system though. I know the...
  14. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    With any carb rebuild the cleaning is about 90% of the job. It is not easy to get it 100% clean, but important to get it as close as you can. That and using high quality parts in the rebuild. On the 4.3 OMC & Volvo used Rochester 2bbls and 4bbls till Rochester quit making carbs, then switched...
  15. Lou C

    Closed cooling worth the money?

    For sure in salt water, it will extend engine life by a significant amount because the cyl heads will not be likely to rust through after 10-15 years of use. Usually the blocks don't at least I've never heard of anyone having a block rot through here but I have heard of a few cyl heads rotting...
  16. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    Holley's website also has a pretty good forum where you can post up questions. I too am a fan of carbed engines on older boats. EFI gets very expensive to repair and the OEMs have a lousy habit of leaving you high and dry with NLA parts. Whereas I can get any part I need for a Quadrajet that...
  17. Lou C

    Volvo Penta Fuel Pump Whining Noise

    Look up man cave mechanic’s you tube channel, he has lots of info on these problems
  18. Lou C

    Mercruiser vs. Volvo parts availability

    In addition to what's been said, keep in mind that sooner or later you will have to fix something you can't do yourself, so find out if marine repair shops will work on a Volvo that age. If no one will do it, I think it's risky.
  19. Lou C

    Mercruiser 305 V-8 Temp issues

    You know I tried a 140 stat in mine because I always heard, oh in salt water you will get mineral build up with anything warmer. Well when I had the heads off to do the rebuild, I saw no such thing. I've seen pics of outboards with alu blocks with build up but not on the old cast iron block or...
  20. Lou C

    Mercruiser 305 V-8 Temp issues

    Ultimately your comp test may not be as accurate with a cold engine, you can try it though. With a 140 'stat you should be within that temp give or take about 15-20 degrees. Even with the hotter 160 stat in mine I never ran at 180 unless there was a problem (clogged water intakes, sand sucked...
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