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  1. Lou C

    Buying a boat with a rebuilt sterndrive??

    Rebuilts can run the gamut from good to bad. Does the owner have receipts for what was done on the rebuild? This would list what operations were done (ie boring cyls oversize) and what parts were replaced (ie oversize pistons, rings, crankshaft bearings etc). If so that’s good if not all you can...
  2. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    No since the intake/exhaust manifold is all one unit on these you’d normally replace the whole thing when the exhaust is due for replacement like I said every 5-7 seasons in salt water. If you want truly low maintenance no I/O boat will give you that. Only modern outboards are low maintenance...
  3. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    Here's what an OMC Batwing V6 manifold looks like vs new after 5.5 seasons in salt. One outlet is totally plugged. These could be cleaned out and re-used but they were on borrowed time.
  4. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    I’ve had 20 years experience in salt. And if you go beyond 5-7 seasons you are taking a chance. My engine’s on its 4th exhaust system including the one it came with. It was used in fresh before I got it. First you get partial clogging and then you may get leaks between the manifold & elbow. 2...
  5. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    I’d be curious about the intake replacement...isn’t the intake/exhaust all one piece on these? That could explain it; if used in salt water your be replacing the exhaust manifold at 5-7 years regardless of hrs used. These engines are extremely simple much simpler and cheaper to repair than any...
  6. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    The Sierra gaskets look similar to the Barr ones I used, maybe a little thicker, it may be that they might seal better with imperfect sealing surfaces but the Volvo gaskets might hold up to heat better but may need near perfect sealing surfaces to seal. I know that when you install the Volvo...
  7. Lou C

    Bayliner or Starcraft? V-6 or V-8? Is 20' Too Large To Launch In Fresh Water River (Willamette)

    Agreed all good points, that carpet over a plywood deck is the absolute worst construction for an open boat. Unless it was stored inside most of the time or the PO lived in the arid southwest, it WILL have rot somewhere. The carpet holds moisture against the wood and none of the holes to mount...
  8. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    Yep that's what I've seen in both Merc and Volvo documentation. Measure from the top of the elbow.
  9. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    Here's what the ones I used look like.
  10. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    As far as the elbow gaskets it sounds like Sierra improved them, they used to be lousy. The ones I got in my Barr kit were thick composition gaskets that I coated with Permatex Aviation and no leaks. So the Sierra ones may be fine, maybe post up a comparison pic .
  11. Lou C

    Bayliner or Starcraft? V-6 or V-8? Is 20' Too Large To Launch In Fresh Water River (Willamette)

    Honestly if either of those boats uses wood framing in the construction (Bayliner for sure, not sure about Starcraft) they are way too old, unless stored inside or used in the arid Southwest. Wood rot in the structure is extremely time consuming to repair. Been there done it once and never...
  12. Lou C

    Which Grease/Sealant between Outdrive and Bellows?

    Same, that same Evinrude grease works great on the driveshaft splines and the prop shaft splines.
  13. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    There are no VP spark plugs, they just sell Champ or whichever they spec and then double the price. What makes the difference is the cyl head design. If you have a Vortec engine the plugs have a longer reach than if you have the pre-Vortec. Vortec has 8 bolts holding down the intake manifold...
  14. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    Well regardless there is definitely a problem, and I'm wondering if when the boat comes off plane, water rushes up over the ESP and the leverage of it pushes the stern down more than if it wasn't there, thereby pushing water up the Y pipe under certain conditions. That's why I suggested ditching...
  15. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    If you look at the pic of the op’s boat in the water, the water line is over the top of the outdrive right under that cap at the very top of the transom mount. Based on this diagram that puts the static water line slightly above the top of the Y pipe. Mine might be like an inch higher and with...
  16. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    That would be Volvo’s cost be damned engineering strategy. I bet you could make it work with the right combination of hoses, or rigid fiberglass exhaust tubing. Pull the engine to do this job? How do you say no way in Swedish! Same company that decided you have to replace an entire driveshaft to...
  17. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    What you'll need to do is measure how much more hose you need there and get a piece or have a marine supply shop cut you a piece of 3.5" exhaust hose. Might be able to buy one pre made.
  18. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    OK and looking at your transom mount, yours does seem to sit about an inch lower in the water than mine, not sure if that's enough to make a difference.... Also, while the static water line measurement is done with boat stationary, keep in mind when you slow down and come off plane, usually the...
  19. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    this is always a possibility, in my experience with blown head gaskets, it is more consistent than some of the these reports of water intrusion. With the just high enough elbows, or and added swim platform, the conditions have to be just right for it to happen, so it may happen sometimes and not...
  20. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    OK if you look at the idle relief ports under the transom mount, they are pretty small. The exhaust bellows on the other hand is like 3 1/2" in diameter, so the amount of water that could rush in from the bellows is a good deal more.
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