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  1. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    Modern vehicles and boats are meant for a 10 years life span as far as parts availability. So if that fits into your buying habits its fine. But if you buy old (ie the first gen of throttle body and EFI boats) that are 15-20 years old be forewarned. NLA will stop your boating season right quick.
  2. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    also keep in mind if you are going to test it with a hydrometer, the ones for ethylene glycol do not work on propylene glycol, there are special ones for PG. If you don't get colder than zero you can set your freezer to zero and do that test. If you do get colder than zero, you can try to find...
  3. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    the power/economy argument is not the most important thing to boaters. The most important things are: my boat won't start what do I do? my boat won't run right what do I do? my ECM or module is fried and the bean counters at Volvo Penta or Mercrusier made it NLA, now what do I do? this is where...
  4. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    -100 is good and I've seen some that were red. I usually use 4.5-5 gallons. I used to use the West Marine -100 but its expensive and hard to find now so I buy 3 gallons of Sierra brand PG antifreeze and mix it 50/50 with water.
  5. Lou C

    no cotter pin?

    If you are replacing or adjusting bearings pick up a few spare tang washers, they are commonly used on spindle lube hubs.
  6. Lou C

    Cobra SX outdrive winterizing

    http://shop2.evinrude.com/Index.aspx?s1=2tqclkccq1qrh523a2uuan5hf0&catalog_id=0&siteid=1 it is part #77 if it does not drain, disconnect the raw water hose that goes from the transom mount to the impeller housing. Hold it up and fill it with -100 marine antifreeze till it runs out the outdrive...
  7. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    http://shop2.evinrude.com/Index.aspx?s1=2tqclkccq1qrh523a2uuan5hf0&catalog_id=0&siteid=1 water drain is part #77 in this diagram
  8. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    What you can do: Get a couple paper cups and drain some AF from each engine drain and put the cups in a freezer set at zero. If they stay liquid and that’s the coldest you get then you’re good. If they freeze then drain the rest out of the engine and disconnect the bottom end of the big hose at...
  9. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    MPI runs better cold and has a steadier cold idle for sure. More power? Debatable but ok maybe true in some cases. More important: ease, cost and speed of repair. Carbs win that one every time.....
  10. Lou C

    Re; Broke spark plug

    Sure thing the engine mounted flush hose eliminates the issue of the muffs not fitting etc.
  11. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    I can't believe that they are that lazy. Shameful! You're better off learning to do it right yourself.
  12. Lou C

    Can't find 1992 Mercruiser 4.3 Pre-Vortex intake manifold

    if its on a water passage I wouldn't. See if it can be welded if so go for it if not, wait till a good one pops up on ebay.
  13. Lou C

    4.3GL Engine draining ports

    if its a vortec engine (8 bolt intake) there is a drain plug on the front left side of the intake manifold as you face it. you also disconnect the lower end of the big hose that connects the front circulating pump and the thermostat housing, let that drain and the hoses on the impeller housing...
  14. Lou C

    Re; Broke spark plug

    Same thing with the Cobra, there is a nipple on the impeller housing, with a small rubber hose attached, that allows it to prime. I make sure that this is open every season before commissioning the boat. I remove the end of the hose and use a compressed air can to make sure its clear. The...
  15. Lou C

    Re; Broke spark plug

    with an engine mounted impeller, if the water line drained of water when the boat was pulled out, unless your muffs fit really well you can have this problem. Not as common on an Alpha since the raw water impeller is right in the lower gear housing and the water doesn't have to travel far before...
  16. Lou C

    Can't find 1992 Mercruiser 4.3 Pre-Vortex intake manifold

    Find a good automotive machine shop and ask them.
  17. Lou C

    Warm Start issues... HELP!!!

    Post up a pic of what you have; pix of the intake & carb & choke set up. 8 bolt or 12 bolt intake? Was the engine replaced with an older pre Vortec engine?
  18. Lou C

    Can't find 1992 Mercruiser 4.3 Pre-Vortex intake manifold

    Well that depends on what you want to do. If you want to add about 20 hp or so go with an Edelbrock 1409. If you’re happy with the performance of the 2 bbl and want to save money then I’d think about a used 2bbl cast intake from eBay or places like NLA marine parts. What’s wrong with the...
  19. Lou C

    Can't find 1992 Mercruiser 4.3 Pre-Vortex intake manifold

    No need to replace the distributor; the Vortec heads are a nice upgrade if yours needs head work anyway. I bought two 4.3 cast iron 4bbl intakes from eBay and they were both in good shape. Still using my original that’s been used in salt water 15+ seasons. I think filling the engine with good...
  20. Lou C

    Can't find 1992 Mercruiser 4.3 Pre-Vortex intake manifold

    They make a brass lined version, check their site. Used cast iron ones can work perfectly well as long as the water passage isn’t cracked. Usually all you have to do is clean up the sealing surfaces. Try to get one from sellers in the Midwest fresh water regions.
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