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  1. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    Ahh well if its that easy, then I see the point. A lot less work than a conversion, and less unknowns for sure. Perhaps use a 2" lower pitch prop to get a bit more response out of the hole making sure it doesn't over-rev the 3.0. The only negative thing about those engines I've heard is they are...
  2. Lou C

    2015 Dodge Grand caravan SE trailer wires installation failed

    I switched to LED Lights in 2015 and haven't had to fiddle with them every time I use the trailer, like before with the incandescent ones. Tec Nic I think is the brand name, very good quality made in USA
  3. Lou C

    2015 Dodge Grand caravan SE trailer wires installation failed

    Using the hitch remember you are depending on a hitch, that slides into a bolted on receiver mount that is bolted to the frame, etc. The white wire on the other hand goes to one of the actual vehicle grounds. For the same reason some people wire up seperate grounds for each light on the trailer...
  4. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    Don’t think the 3.0 has the torque for a 19’. 4.3 swap a lot more work but worth it. Ideal engine for a 19’.
  5. Lou C

    2015 Dodge Grand caravan SE trailer wires installation failed

    The white wire in the harness for the trailer is the ground, this goes back to the electric ground for the vehicle, that is a better ground than depending on the hitch....
  6. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    True. Most of the time water conditions here aren’t smooth enough for WOT!
  7. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    If the OP wants to do a 4.3, the way I'd do it is go with a 96 and newer Vortec, with a 4bbl carb for sure. That will give approx 225 hp, maybe a little more with an Edelbrock intake. However, if the boat is heavy for its size like mine is, the 5.7 is easy to justify, the cost is about the same...
  8. Lou C

    Fuel treatment question.....

    With EFI engines because there isn't a float bowl like in carbed engines, I think they may be less sensitive to fuel storage issues. When we fired up my brother's 2020 Merc 4.5 last spring it just started like any other warm day. We didn't even run it on the fogging mix, just ran out of time the...
  9. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    The more room you have the less your body gets bent lol
  10. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    this was pretty easy on my boat..... this, was not, only way those large cotter pins were coming out, was with a special cotter pin extractor and some colorful language lol. cotter pins can be seen in this pic they are there to make sure the mounting bolts don't back off. OMC/Volvo used...
  11. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    With fuel filters I have noticed sometimes what happens is the base (aluminum) sometimes gets a bit of oxidation on it making the filter harder to remove. I just coat the base, and the rubber gasket with motor oil & never had trouble getting one off.
  12. Lou C

    Time to chuck the 470

    Just compare the ratios used in each engine. There was a list of these floating around a while back….
  13. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Those new style Merc filters are totally different than the old standard canister filters. Not sure if they are more or less prone to get stuck on. At least Merc sells a handy tool to get it off….
  14. Lou C

    Swapped Thunderbolt IV for Delco EST

    Yep that job is easier to do if you have the valve cover on the port side off so you can watch the valves...Both valves closed and the rotor in the distributor pointing to #1 terminal....
  15. Lou C

    2002 Cobalt 240 OEM swim deck

    Maybe contact Cobalt and see if they keep information on older boats, was it made in house or did they source it from outside...
  16. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Yep that is true, if I were going to stay with an I/O I would look at bigger boats with a single engine, wide open engine compartment. However as I get older the drift to outboards seems stronger and stronger, once you get past the inital price gouging that is lol.
  17. Lou C

    Volvo 300 CR V8 fuel pump problem

    Might want to take a look at the anti-siphon valve on the gas tank. On older boats they can get corrded internally and then the ball sticks and restricts fuel flow.
  18. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Well that's good to hear Ted I have to say the new Merc 4.5 V6 in my brother's boat runs great. If you didn't look you would never know it is really just a very refined version of the old GM 90* V6, and not a V8. However his is raw water cooled, so I guess we'll see what happens in about 6 years...
  19. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Here's an old pic with everything taken out..... Later pic with everything in place One seat removed, access panel on a take apart hinge opens like a door. I thought of this about 15 years ago when I just couldn't keep moving that really heavy bench seat out of the way with the heavy wood...
  20. Lou C

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    At least they provide an access panel! That actually doesn’t look bad to work on. The only things that might be challenging are the starter & steering actuator. But this is a nearly new boat so those may not need repair for years… On my old F/W I reconfigured the rear of the boat to make the...
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