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  1. Lou C

    1998 Volvo Penta 4.3L GL

    And you can get a set of Barr exhaust manifolds, elbows, gaskets + bolts for approx $725. That's what I put on my engine as a replacement for the old OMC one piece batwings. Not worth gambling with old exhaust if replacing an engine unless they were fresh water used and the mating surfaces are...
  2. Lou C

    Engine Serial Number Decoded

    that's a block serial # T= Tonawanda NY assembly plant, R = Romulus Michigan. OMC model numbers usually start with the liter displacement of the engine, followed by a 2 (2bbl carb) or 4 (4 bbl carb) the letter M (manual steering ) or P (power steering) followed by another series of letters (date...
  3. Lou C

    EZ Drain Plugs for Exhaust Manifold & Engine Block on 3.0 Mercruiser?

    In some applications the Merc ones with the hex might actually be easier to remove, since you could use a box end ratcheting wrench to loosen them, I usually have to use a small adjustable wrench to loosen them.
  4. Lou C

    EZ Drain Plugs for Exhaust Manifold & Engine Block on 3.0 Mercruiser?

    You can but how they work is that there is a hole thru the sides of the part with the wingnuts as you unscrew them (not all the way through to the end) it unseats from the part that is threaded into the block and the water flows round the holes in the sides and out the center hole. I always...
  5. Lou C

    EZ Drain Plugs for Exhaust Manifold & Engine Block on 3.0 Mercruiser?

    This style has worked great for me for many years...
  6. Lou C

    4.3L intake manifold drain?

    My next one will have closed cooling for sure. At least a half system + remote oil filter. Two must haves for I/Os
  7. Lou C

    4.3L intake manifold drain?

    I guess you could just pull it to be on the safe side.
  8. Lou C

    Attwood Blower replacement in my '86.....

    https://www.pentair.com/en-us/products/residential/water-supply-disposal/marine/shurflo-yellow-tail-in-line-blower/sku/277-3110.html these are actually rated for continuous duty unlike most in-line blowers, I'll probably use one of these for my next replacement. My boat is on its 3rd blower....
  9. Lou C

    Volvo Penta SX-M drive Gimbal bearing obliterated and Gimbal Bearing Housing damaged

    That’s a shame because that kind of damage is easily preventable by regular maintenance. That means pulling the drive at the end of each season and checking for water in the D/S bellows and roughness in the gimble bearing and either looseness or stiffness in the u joints. Replacing the gimble...
  10. Lou C

    Draining engine block - Merc MX 6.2 MPI/Bravo 3

    Since I started using a 50/50 mix of Sierra PG antifreeze for my winterizing I have not found clogged block drains which I used to find in the past using -100 West Marine antifreeze. That stuff is also suppose to have corrosion inhibitors in it but maybe the Sierra has more because it’s...
  11. Lou C

    4.3L intake manifold drain?

    I have wondered about that too and the only thing I've see was a service bulletin from OMC that said that some 4.3 Vortec manifolds had cracked, so they felt it was necessary to drain that area. I have the pre-vortec and the manifold just drains when you drain the block drains and remove the...
  12. Lou C

    How in the heck do you get these spark plugs out??

    It sounds like OMC contracted with a company to cast these manifolds and then no one thought to see if they could get a socket on the spark plug! I noticed that the original design of the 2 piece OMC manifolds for the V6s was changed to give more clearance, the first few years they made them it...
  13. Lou C

    How in the heck do you get these spark plugs out??

    In a case like this where the manifolds overhang the plugs maybe a crowfoot wrench would work
  14. Lou C

    Is the bilge drain hole to small or am I stupid

    The vacuum pumps work well, my engine has the threaded fitting at the top of the dipstick tube and the vacuum pump will pump the pan pretty much dry in about 5 min. As noted above you could hook up a vacuum pump to this hose inside the boat and it would probably work even better since it pulls...
  15. Lou C

    How in the heck do you get these spark plugs out??

    On some of the Ford engines the manifolds do get in the way of plug removal, you may need to use a swivel ratcheting box wrench or similar. The plugs in my Chevy 4.3 V6 with either the OE OMC manifolds or the aftermarket Barr manifolds were always very easy to remove.
  16. Lou C

    Block draining idea for older Mercruiser v8

    Doing my winterize today. Here’s how my engine compartment door opens...
  17. Lou C

    Hard starting

    The gas will evaporate after a period of time and that’s what causes the extended cranking. I think changing to the newer PMGR style starters helps with this issue since they draw less amps and crank the engine over faster.
  18. Lou C

    2003 SeaRay 200 Bowrider seized engine????!!!!

    On my '88 F/W H-200 I have just enough room to get it out without spilling oil...or else I would have probably installed one by now lol!
  19. Lou C

    2003 SeaRay 200 Bowrider seized engine????!!!!

    I was tempted to pick up the Merc remote oil filter kit for the 4.3....
  20. Lou C

    Hard starting

    With the Holley 2bbl carb it will have an electric choke (see the flap on the top of the carb below) which should be closed with a cold engine and then as it starts it will open just a fraction of an inch. As the engine runs the electric heater will open it in approx 3-5 minutes. If its staying...
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