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  1. 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...
  2. 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...
  3. 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
  4. 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...
  5. 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.
  6. 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...
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 Vortec Backfire and no start

    Yep keep in mind that cold comp test results are not near as accurate as those on a warmed up engine. Are you SURE that the order of the plug wires is correct on the cap??? Double check that and that your distributor was installed right (cyl # 1 at TDC of compression stroke and dist rotor aimed...
  10. Lou C

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

    What I said lol that oxidized fuse really had me scratching my head. Multimeter check showed continuity thru fuse…BUT due oxidation in the fuse box itself there wasn’t continuity from the tabs holding the fuse TO the fuse! Probably should have installed a whole new fuse box!
  11. Lou C

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

    In the boat fuse box under the dash there will be a 10 amp fuse for the ignition circuit…
  12. Lou C

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

    The slave solenoid is always “hot” but the only way that yellow/red wire gets powered is from the ignition switch. The power travels from the ignition switch to the solenoid (really a starter relay). So you need to check what’s coming off your ignition switch. Then go from there. PS I had the...
  13. Lou C

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

    First test the ignition switch: B terminal (Battery, red wire) has batt volts whenever bat switch is on I terminal (ignition, purple wire) has bat voltage when you turn ignition on S terminal (start, yellow/red wire) has bat volts when you turn key to start If you don’t have your switch...
  14. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 Vortec Backfire and no start

    Agreed you might have a few valves hanging open which can result on low or zero compression in one or more cyls. Ideally do a leak down test as well because if your compression is low that will pinpoint the source. But first have you checked for spark at all the spark plugs?
  15. Lou C

    Starboard exhaust manifold warmer and inspecting

    Can’t really reverse flush one of these systems but you can hook up a garden hose to the manifold water inlet and flush it that way, might get rid of minor clogs.
  16. Lou C

    Starboard exhaust manifold warmer and inspecting

    I believe it can be done, but the dry joint is quite a bit more expensive. Ping achris he will know for sure...
  17. Lou C

    Replacing trailer axle... what are the considerations?

    That was in my case I was going from a 2x2 straight axle to a 2x3 drop axle. In your case that won't be an issue most likely but the trailer will sit higher up, which may not really matter.
  18. Lou C

    Starboard exhaust manifold warmer and inspecting

    I would check it as it sits in the water, as Scott noted gravity plays a role in manifold & elbow temps. Every 5 seasons or as soon as you see any leaks from the joint between the elbow and the manifold you should inspect. You will drain the manifolds/elbows, dis-assemble and check the water...
  19. Lou C

    Replacing trailer axle... what are the considerations?

    Those aspects can be changed you might have check the clearance between the top of the axle & frame. You want to make sure when the springs flex to the max the top of the axle doesn’t hit the frame. I went from a straight axle to a 4” drop to get it lower. Boat sat too high due to roller design...
  20. Lou C

    mercruiser 140 low compression & cracked exhaust manifold

    Agreed I spent a LOT of time getting the block deck & bolt holes clean on mine. Just when I thought I was done I found SOMETHING else! I used a level as straight edge, not orthodox but worked. Even though this engine had a bad overheat it was flat to less than .001”. And the heads were reman...
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