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  1. Lou C

    4.3 Mercruiser MPI Chugging/Surging and Beeping during turns/Waves

    All it takes with modern MPI engines is a bent/loose pin, or a bit of corrosion, & you can have those problems. Just disconnecting connections, inspecting, cleaning with contact cleaner and re-assembling (a bit of dielectric grease on the rubber seals helps keep out moisture) might solve it...
  2. Lou C

    POINTS DISTRIBUTOR --- UNKNOWNS WITH MOTOR

    Looks like that engine did still have points. I have a Prestolite on my 1988 4.3 and I usually put in a new set whenever they get pitted or burned. I get at least 5-6 seasons out of a set of points. The advance weights need a few drops of oil in the wick under the rotor.
  3. Lou C

    does anyone know?

    I have those exact same drains on my 1988 OMC/Chevy V6 and if you’re going to try to get this not to leak be careful with the threads. I would pick up a Mercruiser drain plug assembly & use that; it’s nearly the same thing but the part you remove to drain is a hex head instead of the T handle. I...
  4. Lou C

    4.3 Mercruiser MPI Chugging/Surging and Beeping during turns/Waves

    I wonder if you can wiggle parts of the wiring harness to see if that can re create the surge. I’m thinking an intermittent connection is cutting power to the fuel pump or other component. That, or some debris in the fuel tank blocking the fuel pick up under certain conditions. Agreed on getting...
  5. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Old tech is good. You just have to understand it isn't a perpetual motion machine. I'll take points & condenser & a 4bb carb, with its drawbacks, vs old throttle body and EFI systems. Merc and Volvo have nasty habit of making key parts for those, NLA. And then, you are SOL....
  6. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Engine accessibility is one of the reasons why I wouldn't buy most of the newer I/O designs. They appear to be designed by mechanical sadists who hate mechanics. A relative has a 2020 Chapparal with the new style Mercruiser 4.5 which is really a very nice running engine but to get at anything...
  7. Lou C

    spring vapor lock?

    Here's my somewhat rusty Quadrajet....doesn't look great but works just fine.
  8. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Well where the oil filter was located was originally determined by General Motors, when they designed these engines a LONG LONG time ago! The 3.0 4 cyl is very easy but on any of the V6s or V8s, it is way back up against the flywheel housing on the port side rear of the engine. Some boats you...
  9. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    one of OMCs better ideas:
  10. Lou C

    3.0l Alpha 1 Gen 2 low speed overheat

    Sometimes the wear plate can get scored from use or sucking up sand in shallow water. The impeller can look good but the scored wear plate stops it from pumping 100%. I go about 3 years on impellers unless i see a need to change is sooner. The OMC Cobra design makes it very easy to change...
  11. Lou C

    spring vapor lock?

    Ok about 10 years ago I had a cooling hose pop off the P/S cooler on my Cobra and that sprayed salt water all over the engine compartment. Carb had rust on the outside & one mixture screw actually seemed rusted in place. I sprayed a mix of rust penetrants on it & other corrosion let it sit for a...
  12. Lou C

    spring vapor lock?

    Rust on the outside is not really an operational concern it’s what you see when you open it up. If there is a lot of alu corrosion inside then replacement with the similar Edelbrock may make the most sense.
  13. Lou C

    What's this "rock" on the back of my sterndrive and is it supposed to be there ?

    You prob need magnesium and there are 2 other anodes besides that one…a small cube shaped one at the tail end of the outdrive & a rectangular shaped one under the outdrive. I put a bit of Evinrude gasket sealer on the bolt threads that keeps them from seizing from galvanic corrosion.
  14. Lou C

    1987 2.3L OMC Steering Questions

    Sounds good My original actuator lasted 32 years!
  15. Lou C

    1987 2.3L OMC Steering Questions

    That is the old style Bendix actuator with the separate control valve and metal hydraulic lines. They are loose when the engine is off and get tighter when the engine starts and the pump supplies pressure. There is a grease fitting on the back side of it that might need grease but do NOT over...
  16. Lou C

    First start after lower unit rebuild - new boat owner

    It is more a question of volume of water than pressure. Open cooling systems like these move a high volume of water to carry away the heat of combustion and the exhaust. The fact that your exhaust is steaming suggests low raw water flow, either from the hose or your impeller isn't pumping enough...
  17. Lou C

    First start after lower unit rebuild - new boat owner

    An OMC Cobra usually puts out more water under the transom mount, like this vid, I'd consider replacing the raw water impeller, a very easy job on those.
  18. Lou C

    4.3L OMC Cobra 1988 engine knock/rattle

    Those have a drain plug on em but it’s nearly impossible to get at, all you have to do to keep ‘em from freezing is put the drive down, disconnect the raw water intake hose at the thermostat housing & point it down in the bilge to drain. Then hold it up & fill it with -100 marine antifreeze till...
  19. Lou C

    Where’s the fuse box-1988 BAYLINER CAPRI 3.0

    www.baylinerownersclub.org
  20. Lou C

    2006 Volvo penta 3.0 glp-e misfire on cylinder 4

    see what the maker of the gaskets says. Some say yes some say no. Barr told me yes, I used Permatex Aviation, 6 years later no leaks.
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