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  1. Lou C

    How often do you change your bellows and shift seal?

    I went for 11 seasons on an OMC Cobra bellows (OE parts) before I saw small cracks and replaced it. What happens is that the rubber loses flexibility over time and starts to crack when you steer or trim up. So as soon as you see small cracks in the folds I think its time. I still have the...
  2. Lou C

    Tuning Holley 80551 (4160)

    I am confused as well to an extent, my 4.3 was equipped with a 600 CFM Holley after the Quadrajet went out of production but larger engines like a 5.0 Ford V8 came with a 450 CFM. My original Quadrajet is also a 600 CFM. I have heard that the Qjet has this flexibility built into its design being...
  3. Lou C

    2009 4.3 mpi running hot

    Here in salt I’ve done mine every 7 years at least and I have not had an overheat due to the inevitable corrosion or water leaking back into the engine. Even with the old Batwings that had restrictive cooling passages and clogged pretty easily. Look at how much larger the passages are on the 2...
  4. Lou C

    2009 4.3 mpi running hot

    I would Definitely check the manifolds and elbows if never done and you are in salt water Also test the stat in a pot of hot water with a metal thermometer and see what temp it starts to open at. And yes a 140 will be better for salt If your last impeller came apart you will need to find the...
  5. Lou C

    Fuel Filter?

    I think one of the best things you can do with an older boat is clean out the gas tank when it needs it done. There are places that will do this for you, if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself. It helps avoid chronic fuel system problems.
  6. Lou C

    Overheating and hydro locked

    Well to start with you should measure the static water line of your boat in the water. If it’s lower than 14” you might need taller elbows
  7. Lou C

    7.4GL temp sender info needed

    You running about right for the stat you have as far as actual temps off of the engine. I would make sure your gauges are getting a full 12v and all the connections are free of corrosion. Extra resistance can throw off a good gauge.
  8. Lou C

    Fuel Filter?

    Just to stay on top of it I dump mine out into a Mason jar each season and check it for water/crud. This will tell you if you need to clean out the fuel tank. Ironically even though ethanol fuel (e10) all we have here can be bad, it does seem to keep my tank clean. This is from a 33 year old...
  9. Lou C

    Overheating and hydro locked

    If you do a search on these forums you will find it. You have to make up a fitting to apply compressed air to the thermostat housing raw water hose opening and connect both feeds for the manifolds with one hose. See if it holds 15 psi
  10. Lou C

    can someone tell me what motors are in a 1987 28' Chris-Craft 283 Amerosport 262 ?

    I’ve never done this style only having had the OMC Cobra which is very easy. Gotta find a Crusader catalog. Maybe post up pix of what you have
  11. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L IO starting procedure? Stalls when going into gear

    Yes it is held in by a rubber ring that may be obscured by rust. You need a thin screwdriver or pick to dig it out. Then use something like OMC gasket sealer, Merc perfect seal or Permatex Aviation sealer on the gasket and bolt threads.
  12. Lou C

    Fuel Filter?

    Agreed nothing beyond the standard spin on water separating filters. In fact on the Marine Quadrajet I have the normal filter that is in the inlet housing (for an auto application) is replaced by a low restriction screen. I think the Holley carbs have screens as well in the inlet. A normal 10...
  13. Lou C

    can someone tell me what motors are in a 1987 28' Chris-Craft 283 Amerosport 262 ?

    That I can’t say if they are Crusader engines you have to check their parts catalog. They might be a standard Jabsco or Johnson pump with the housing mounted to the crank pulley. Water in the gas? Make sure that the deck fill gasket is good and that there isn’t water pooling on top of the tank...
  14. Lou C

    Couple questions about winterization..

    I would (and do) fog a 4 stroke carbed engine it is humid here all year and the engine spring & fall may be covered in condensed moisture due to humidity and day/night temperature swings. But use fogging oil which is made for this purpose. I would follow what the manufacturer advises for any...
  15. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L IO starting procedure? Stalls when going into gear

    Well you probably have 2 problems: Yes your thermostat might not be closing all the way, all it takes is a flake of rust or grain of sand. Common problem in raw water cooled engines. But even with a good stat these engines warm up slow and it should be able to run without stalling after like a...
  16. Lou C

    Couple questions about winterization..

    If you are back filling with AF: 1) you’ll need a lot even my little 4.3 takes 4.5 or so gallons 2) if you are in a cold region I would not use -50 or -60 I have used -100 or, if you can find it, Sierra PG antifreeze mixed up 50/50 with water. -50 or -60 get hard at a few degrees above zero but...
  17. Lou C

    Overheating and hydro locked

    My symptoms were rough running that cleared up as it warmed up from slightly sticking valves, water in a cyl and water in the oil. Combustion gas was getting into the cooling water esp as the engine is shut off. Then as it cools water would leak back into one cyl. But my comp test results were...
  18. Lou C

    140 or 160 thermostat. Does 20 degrees make a difference?

    I don’t think it will cause any harm in fact Mercruiser for many years specified a 140 stat even in fresh water. They moved to the 160 it seems when they transitioned to electronic fuel injection. In fresh water you can use either in salt water the 140 is advised because at temps above 160...
  19. Lou C

    Overheating and hydro locked

    Post up pics after you clean up the sealing surfaces . Not really a way to test the elbows but the acetone test (be careful highly flammable) is good for manifolds. You go by the sealing surfaces and how much flaking rust you see in the cooling passages. Sealing surfaces when cleaned up should...
  20. Lou C

    Tuning Holley 80551 (4160)

    I'm wondering if your vacuum secondaries are opening too soon.... see this:
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