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  1. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

    with AF, I also think its a good idea to test it at the lowest temp you might get if possible. I found that with my freezer set at zero, both the -50 and the -60 solidify, whereas the -100 definitetly will not nor does the Sierra no tox PG stuff I will mix up. So go by your local conditions, if...
  2. Lou C

    4.3 OMC Cobra and or...

    PS for my year (1988) they listed the timing spec at 1* BTDC for regular gas and 6* for premium gas this is why I used at least 89 octane. I guess they felt these were prone to detonation because in fact the centrifugal advance distributor is specified for only 12* at 3200 rpm. So 6 base + 12...
  3. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

    If you can go on eBay and search for an original OMC Cobra owners/operators manual it explains exactly how to do it. These steps are also listed on a commercial website but I’m not allowed to post it here. The main points: Block drain and poke hole Manifold drain and poke hole Disco big hose at...
  4. Lou C

    4.3 OMC Cobra and or...

    My boat was specified to have the 15x17 but the WOT rpm was still lower than I wanted so I went with a 15.5x15, which lowers my top speed but reduces the load on the engine as I always felt that the 4.3 was a bit on the small side for my boat (20’9”). I can get 5,000 wide open. When I repower...
  5. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

    If you are going to use that method, I suggest loosening a drain plug take a sample and put it in the freezer to make sure it won't freeze. I do think the antifreeze helps because when I start my engin up in the spring I do not get rusty water coming out of the exhaust.
  6. Lou C

    Fuel leak

    www.Holley.com
  7. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

    That’s how I’ve done it for nearly 20 years.
  8. Lou C

    1987 5.7 omc outdrive

    Did someone just change the gear oil in that drive? Because there is a right way and a wrong way!
  9. Lou C

    1987 5.7 omc outdrive

    well the Volvo SX conversion is more than that, I priced it out using a used drive, used pivot housing and other things needed and it's about $5000. the SEI conversion is approx $1800 but keep in mind that's an aftermarket copy of a Merc Alpha. rebuilding the Cobra, probably $2-3K. I am still...
  10. Lou C

    1987 5.7 omc outdrive

    well people have: had their OMC rebuilt converted it to a Volvo Penta SX (best solution but $$$) converted it to a Merc Alpha using their Cobra conversion kit (much cheaper but unknown reliablilty). I'm still running mine and picked up a good spare unit that I will have gone through as a back...
  11. Lou C

    Newbie rebuilding 4.3l mercruiser

    Fel/Pro makes a nice set of marine head gaskets for those engines and intake gaskets as well, I used both when I did my top end overhaul 4 years ago. I'm in salt water so I have to use marine... Nice job looks like the machine shop did a great job. The little 4.3 is a nice engine, they are...
  12. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

    Not if it does not have corrosion inhibitors
  13. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

    Looking back I posted the wrong pic, that's the 2.3 liter Ford! Sorry for the mix up. I don't have a pic of the 3.0 GM engine.
  14. Lou C

    OMC Cobra 4.3?

    Love my Chevrolets
  15. Lou C

    OMC Cobra 4.3?

  16. Lou C

    OMC Cobra 4.3?

    I always used at least 89 in mine and the gas docks local to me sell only 93 octane. With the dog clutch Cobra drive you want your idle to be not more than 600 in the water. In order for the drive to shift to neutral you need it to idle that low so the ESA system can lower it down to 450 rpm...
  17. Lou C

    OMC Cobra 4.3?

    In the pic I had just installed a pair of remanufactured cyl heads since I had a bad overheat a few years before that and the head gaskets blew necessitating the repair. When I had the old heads checked there were cracks so replacement made more sense. In boats you must use the marine version of...
  18. Lou C

    Gas vapor out the secondaries at WOT

    Break out your impact gun for the head bolts and those intake manifolds can get really stuck on. I was able to get the head bolts out easily but the baked on old intake gaskets were like kryptonite
  19. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

  20. Lou C

    Stickies on Winterizing 3.0 cobra

    OMC used a brass drain valve that you should be able to find. In addition to the drain on the exhaust manifold and on the engine you have to disconnect the bottom end of the big hose connecting the front water pump to the thermostat housing. There are 3 plugs on the pivot housing you have to...
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